Description
Whimsical gnome cookies bring playful charm to dessert tables with adorable character details. Small sweet treats capture woodland magic, inviting friends and families to enjoy delightful homemade baking moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Flavoring and Leavening Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Decoration Ingredients:
- Royal icing (store-bought or homemade, divided into red, white, and black)
- Mini marshmallows (optional, for hat details)
- Candy or chocolate chips (for noses)
Instructions
- Craft a silky, pliable cookie dough by thoroughly blending butter and sugar until they transform into a light, airy mixture. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, ensuring complete integration.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the creamy base, gently mixing until a cohesive dough emerges.
- Partition the dough into two equal segments, encase each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to enhance flavor development and texture.
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C). Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for your gnome-inspired treats.
- Retrieve chilled dough and roll onto a flour-dusted workspace, achieving a uniform 1/4 inch thickness. Carefully cut triangular shapes for whimsical gnome hats and circular forms for faces and beards.
- Meticulously assemble cookie components, positioning triangular hats atop round bases. Gently pinch hat tips to create a playful, slightly curved silhouette.
- Arrange shaped cookies on prepared sheets, maintaining approximately one inch of separation. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges acquire a delicate golden hue.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Embellish gnome cookies with vibrant red royal icing on hats. Optional: attach miniature marshmallows for a plush trim.
- Craft textured beards using white royal icing, employing a zigzag technique for dimensional interest. Position candy or chocolate chips as charming noses.
- Add optional facial details using black royal icing for expressive eyes.
- Permit decorative elements to set thoroughly before serving or packaging these delightful, character-filled cookies.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the adorable gnome shape during baking.
- Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator for a more stable cookie structure that holds intricate details.
- Opt for gel food coloring when decorating to achieve vibrant colors without altering the royal icing’s consistency.
- Dust your work surface lightly with powdered sugar instead of flour to prevent the dough from becoming tough and dry.
- Customize the gnome faces by experimenting with different candy decorations like mini M&Ms or sprinkles for unique personality.
- Store decorated cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to preserve their delicate design and prevent smudging.
- Make gluten-free versions by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for equally adorable results.
- Pipe royal icing details when cookies are completely cool to ensure crisp, clean decorative lines.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg