Nothing says “cozy holiday season” quite like the aroma of freshly baked Christmas treats in the air. If you’re looking to add a whimsical touch to your festive spread, these adorable Christmas Mice cookies are the perfect addition. Not only are they fun to make, but they are sure to delight everyone with their charming appearance. These little critters are not only cute but delicious too, making them a great project for a family baking day or a fun treat to share with friends during the holiday season.
Title: Christmas Mice
Ingredients:
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup sliced almonds
– Red and green food coloring
– Red licorice ropes, cut into small pieces
– Mini chocolate chips
– White decorating icing
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
2. Gradually add the flour and salt to the creamed mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Once chilled, take one portion of the dough from the refrigerator. Pinch off small portions of the dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. These will be the bodies of your mice.
5. Place the almond slices on a cutting board. Take each almond slice and using a small knife, cut off the pointed tip to create almond ears for the mice.
6. Gently press two almond slices into each dough ball, positioning them to resemble mouse ears.
7. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until set but not browned. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to decorate! Using the red and green food coloring, tint the white decorating icing to your desired colors.
10. With a small amount of icing, attach a piece of red licorice for the mouse’s tail. Use the icing to adhere mini chocolate chips for the eyes.
11. Using the icing as glue, you can also add more almond slices at the front of the cookie for the mouse’s nose.
12. Let the icing set before serving or storing in an airtight container.
These Christmas Mice cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday gathering, whether as a fun centerpiece or a sweet treat to share with loved ones. Get creative with different colors and decorations to make each mouse unique. Enjoy the process of baking these charming cookies, and watch as they bring smiles to the faces of those who enjoy them. Happy baking and happy holidays!
