The holiday season is upon us, and at Holiday Rising, that means it’s time for our annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza! Every year, we throw down the Christmas cookie gauntlet and challenge ourselves to create the most delicious, festive, and beautifully decorated cookies. This beloved tradition brings together our community of baking enthusiasts, from novices to seasoned pros, all united in the joy of holiday baking.

The Sugar Cookie Challenge

At the heart of our extravaganza is our signature sugar cookie recipe. These cookies serve as the perfect canvas for creative decorating, while also being irresistibly delicious on their own. Here’s our tried-and-true recipe for the best sugar cookies:

Holiday Rising’s Best Sugar Cookies

What you need:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

What you need to do:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extract (if using).
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.
8. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

This recipe yields cookies that are soft in the center with slightly crisp edges, perfect for decorating or enjoying plain. The touch of almond extract adds a subtle depth of flavor that sets these cookies apart.

Decorating Extravaganza

Once our sugar cookies are baked and cooled, the real fun begins. Our community members let their creativity run wild, using royal icing, sprinkles, edible glitter, and more to transform these simple cookies into works of art. Some popular designs include:

• Intricately piped snowflakes
• Festive Christmas trees with “ornaments” made of tiny candies
• Jolly Santas with fluffy royal icing beards
• Reindeer with pretzel antlers
• Delicate angel wings with pearlescent luster dust

We encourage participants to think outside the box and come up with unique designs that reflect their personal style or family traditions.

Gingerbread: A New Addition

This year, we’re excited to announce that we’re incorporating gingerbread cookies into our extravaganza! The warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread is quintessentially Christmas, and these cookies offer a delightful contrast to the sweet vanilla of our sugar cookies.

Holiday Rising’s Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup (120ml) molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg, molasses, and vanilla until well combined.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.
8. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

These gingerbread cookies are perfectly spiced and have a wonderful chewy texture. They’re sturdy enough for constructing gingerbread houses but still delicious for eating.

Gingerbread Decorating Ideas

With the addition of gingerbread to our extravaganza, we’re seeing some exciting new decorating trends:

• Traditional white royal icing piping for a classic look
• Stained glass windows made with crushed hard candies
• Minimalist designs using just a few well-placed lines or dots
• Gingerbread people dressed in “ugly Christmas sweaters” made of colorful icing
• 3D gingerbread structures like miniature houses or sleighs

The Community Aspect

What makes our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza truly special is the sense of community it fosters. Participants share tips and tricks, offer encouragement, and celebrate each other’s creations. We host virtual cookie decorating parties where members can connect in real-time, sharing their progress and getting instant feedback.We also organize a friendly competition with categories like “Most Creative Design,” “Best Use of Color,” and “Most Likely to be Mistaken for a Real Object.” The winners receive baking-themed prizes and, more importantly, bragging rights for the year!

Sharing the Joy

We encourage our community to spread the joy of holiday baking beyond our virtual walls. Many participants bake extra batches to share with neighbors, donate to local charities, or send care packages to friends and family who can’t be with them for the holidays.

Tips for Success

To help our community members achieve the best results, we’ve compiled some top tips:

1. Chill your dough: This prevents spreading and helps cookies hold their shape.
2. Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures even mixing and consistent texture.
3. Don’t overmix: Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are combined to avoid tough cookies.
4. Rotate baking sheets: For even baking, rotate sheets halfway through baking time.
5. Let cookies cool completely before decorating: This prevents icing from melting or running.

The Great Gingerbread House Challenge

As part of our gingerbread expansion, we’re introducing a new element to our extravaganza: The Great Gingerbread House Challenge. Participants can use our gingerbread recipe to construct elaborate houses, competing for titles like “Most Architecturally Impressive” and “Best Winter Wonderland Scene.”We provide templates for basic house structures, but encourage creativity in design and decoration. Some participants have already shared plans for gingerbread lighthouses, log cabins, and even replicas of famous buildings!

Sustainable and Inclusive Baking

At Holiday Rising, we’re committed to making our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza as inclusive and sustainable as possible. We offer variations on our recipes to accommodate different dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options.We also encourage eco-friendly practices, such as using natural food coloring derived from plant sources, opting for biodegradable glitter, and choosing sustainably sourced ingredients when possible.

The Future of the Extravaganza

As our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza grows each year, we’re constantly looking for ways to enhance the experience. Plans include:

• Collaborations with professional bakers for masterclasses
• A cookbook featuring the best recipes and designs from our community
• Expanded categories to include savory holiday treats
• Virtual reality cookie decorating experiences

The Christmas Cookie Extravaganza at Holiday Rising is more than just a baking challenge – it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the joy of the holiday season. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious beginner, there’s a place for you in our festive tradition.So preheat your ovens, dust off your rolling pins, and join us in creating some holiday magic, one cookie at a time. After all, nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like a plateful of homemade cookies, crafted with love and a sprinkle of Holiday Rising spirit!