Sugar cookies loaded with Christmas spices, dusted with icing sugar and arranged into a beautiful wreath. Well if that doesn’t sound like the perfect start to Christmas morning and present opening then I’m not sure what does!
I’ve spent nearly all my Christmas’ in a little village called Rooi Els located about an hour outside of Cape Town, South Africa. Wild seas, almost too cold to swim in; baboons that terrorize and entertain; red sand roads; green urchin shells; pink sunsets and the soundtrack of crashing waves. Dare I say this might be my most favourite place in the world?
I’ve spent two Christmas’ away from this special place of mine. One was spent skiing in Austria and the other with sandy feet on the hot beaches of Goa. But for me there’s something special about reliving a similar day once a year. Christmas Day.
The 25th of December starts off pretty similarly regardless of the year. Waking up early, hugs, coffee and Christmas wishes before the kitchen takeover begins. We always prepare a massive Christmas lunch regardless of the number of guests. Whether 4 people or 20 people arrive, the menu changes very little.
The only effect on this menu over the years has been my switch to being vegetarian. But seriously that’s all that’s changed over these last 30 something years. And that’s exactly the way we all like it.
Now where do the sugar cookies fit in?
Still wearing pajamas, with the smell of gammon roasting in the oven (I might be vegetarian but I’m also human and this still is my favourite Christmas smell) it’s present opening time. And this means tiny glasses of ruby port poured for everyone gathered around the Christmas tree. A little toast and a sip that tastes like the start to the best day of the year.
And what would this tradition be without something a little sweet to go with the moment? These sugar cookies spiced with cinnamon and ginger are the perfect way to welcome the feast ahead. Can we all just have a moment for the combination that is cinnamon and ginger, I just love the smell of these cookies baking.
The smell of these spiced cookies baking is my favourite way to start Christmas Day
If you are looking for a new Christmas morning tradition, make these sugar cookies and buy a special bottle of port, have a cheers in your pajamas and see how wonderful a slow start to the most magical day of the year can be.
I’ve chosen snowflake and Christmas tree cookie cutters for this wreath but you can use anything you might have in the cupboard! Alternatively, you can print out images of snowflakes and trees and create your own cookie stencils. I often do this if I’m missing a particular cutter!
Happy Baking
With Love,
Kitty
📖 Recipe
Sugar Cookies Christmas Wreath
Ingredients
- 115 grams unsalted butter
- 100 grams castor sugar
- 1 egg
- 250 grams flour
- 2 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon icing sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the butter and the sugar to the bowl. Beat on medium speed until well combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again to incorporate.
- Sift the flour and mixed spice together.
- Add this at once to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until combined, do not over mix. Once combined remove from the bowl and cover in plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 170°C
- Remove the sugar cookie dough from the fridge and roll out on a floured surface or between two pieces of baking paper. Ensure an even thickness throughout the rolled out dough.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes and place these onto baking trays line with baking parchment paper. Bake the cookies in the oven for about 15 minutes or until a light golden brown. Use an oven thermometer to test the temperature of your oven to ensure the cookies don't burn on the bottom.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool. Decorate with a dusting of icing sugar and arrange the cookies on a platter in the shape of a Christmas wreath, place a bow in the centre of the wreath and enjoy!
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