Countdown Cookies: A Festive Recipe for New Year’s Eve

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

For the royal icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp meringue powder

• 5-6 tbsp water

• Gel food coloring (assorted colors)

For decorating:

• Edible glitter

• Sugar pearls

• Sprinkles

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

5. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2. Roll and cut the cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface.

3. Use number-shaped cookie cutters and round cutters for clock designs.

4. Place the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.

3. Make the royal icing:

1. In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.

2. Adjust the consistency as needed: thicker for outlining and thinner for flooding.

3. Divide icing into bowls and add gel food coloring as desired.

4. Decorate the cookies:

1. Outline and flood the cookies using a piping bag with a small round tip.

2. Add details like clock hands, glittery accents, and sprinkles while the icing is wet.

3. Let the cookies dry for several hours or overnight.