Festive Poinsettia Blossom Cookies
Elevate your holiday celebrations with these stunning Festive Poinsettia Blossom Cookies that not only delight the palate but also serve as a show-stopping centerpiece for any gathering. These delicate almond shortbread cookies are infused with rich flavors and feature vibrant hues of Christmas red and leaf green. Easy to assemble, the cookies are beautifully arranged to resemble a blooming poinsettia flower, making them a perfect treat for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or as a lovely gift for loved ones. Impress your guests with the buttery texture and festive presentation of these delightful cookies!
15
Servings
160
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1 cup (softened)
confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons
granulated sugar
6 tablespoons
almond extract
1/2 tablespoon
all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups
gel food coloring
to color (leaf green)
gel food coloring
to color (Christmas red)
coarse sanding sugar
to taste (green)
fine sanding sugar
to taste (red)
decorating icing
to taste (yellow)
sanding sugar
to taste (yellow)
Instructions
1
In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and then the granulated sugar, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the almond extract.
2
Add the flour in two additions, mixing just until combined after each addition until you form a dough.
3
Transfer 2 tablespoons of the dough to a small bowl and set aside.
4
Color 1/2 cup of the remaining dough with leaf green gel food coloring, mixing thoroughly with a small spatula.
5
Add 1/4 teaspoon of Christmas red gel food coloring to the rest of the dough in the mixer and blend on low speed until fully incorporated.
6
Roll out each type of dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thick. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
7
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
8
Cut a 2-inch round from the plain uncolored dough and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
9
Using a large leaf cutter, cut out 6 leaves from the green dough and transfer them to the baking sheet. Sprinkle the coarse green sanding sugar over the leaves. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
10
From the red dough, cut 17 large leaves using a large leaf cutter. Transfer them to a baking sheet, making a crease in the center with a skewer. Sprinkling fine red sanding sugar over 8 of these leaves. Chill for another 30 minutes.
11
From the remaining red dough, cut out 5 small leaves using a small leaf cutter, rolling out the dough again if necessary. Transfer these to a separate baking sheet, creasing the center as before and chilling for 30 minutes.
12
Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on wire racks.
13
Once cool, spread yellow decorating icing over the uncolored round cookie with a small offset spatula. Dip the frosted cookie into yellow sanding sugar to coat.
14
To assemble, start with the chilled cookies on a large platter. Place the green cookies evenly spaced around the outer edge, then fill in the gaps with the large plain red leaves. Next, overlay the large red sugared cookies slightly on top, followed by the smaller red leaves. Finish with the decorated yellow cookie in the center as the flower's stamen.
Nutrition Information
10.7g
Fat
17.3g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Poinsettia Blossom Cookies?
They are almond-flavored shortbread cookies designed to look like a blooming poinsettia flower, perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie swaps.
How many cookies does this recipe serve?
This recipe yields 15 servings.
What is the primary flavor of these cookies?
The cookies feature a buttery shortbread base infused with rich almond extract.
What type of food coloring should I use?
The recipe recommends using leaf green and Christmas red gel food coloring for vibrant hues.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
You should roll the dough out to approximately 1/4 inch thick between sheets of parchment paper.
Do I need to chill the dough before cutting?
Yes, you must chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm it up before cutting shapes.
What temperature should the oven be?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 13 to 15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden.
How many green leaves are needed for the poinsettia?
You will need to cut out 6 leaves from the green dough using a large leaf cutter.
How many red leaves are required for assembly?
The recipe calls for 17 large red leaves and 5 small red leaves.
What is used to create the center of the flower?
The center is made from a 2-inch round plain cookie covered in yellow decorating icing and yellow sanding sugar.
How do I add detail to the leaves?
Use a skewer to press a crease into the center of the red leaves before chilling and baking.
What kind of sugar is used for the sparkle effect?
Green coarse sanding sugar is used for the green leaves, and red fine sanding sugar is used for 8 of the red leaves.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 160 calories.
Should the butter be melted or softened?
The butter should be softened to room temperature for proper creaming.
What equipment is needed for mixing the dough?
A standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment is recommended.
How many baking sheets do I need?
You should prepare 3 baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
In what order are the cookies assembled on the platter?
Start with green leaves on the outer edge, fill with plain red leaves, layer with sugared red leaves, then small red leaves, and finish with the yellow center.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 10.7g of fat.
How much protein do these cookies provide?
There are 2g of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
Each serving contains 17.3g of carbohydrates.
Does the recipe use both granulated and confectioners' sugar?
Yes, it uses 6 tablespoons of each to achieve the desired shortbread texture.
How much flour is required?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What do I do with the 2 tablespoons of plain dough?
That dough is kept plain to make the 2-inch round cookie that serves as the flower's base.
Is there a specific way to add the flour?
Add the flour in two separate additions, mixing just until a dough forms to avoid overworking it.
Should the cookies be chilled again after cutting?
Yes, the recipe specifies chilling the cut shapes for at least 30 minutes before baking to help maintain their shape.
Can I use an offset spatula for decorating?
Yes, a small offset spatula is recommended for spreading the yellow icing on the center cookie.
Are these cookies good for gifts?
Absolutely, their festive presentation and buttery texture make them an excellent holiday gift.
Can I use any other extract?
While the recipe specifies almond extract for a traditional holiday flavor, you could substitute it if needed.
What is the best way to display these cookies?
The best way is to arrange them as a single large poinsettia flower on a large serving platter.