Iced Christmas-Cookie Letters

Name: Iced Christmas-Cookie Letters
Yield: Makes about 3–4 dozen cookies
Ingredients: All-purpose flour (for surface); 1 batch gingerbread cookie dough, chilled; 8 ounces white chocolate, melted; White sanding sugar (for sprinkling); 2–3" letters printed on paper in your favorite bold font (or alphabet cookie cutters); toothpicks; an X-acto knife or small paring knife

By Diana Yen

December 5, 2016

Image may contain Plant Text Outdoors and Nature

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Diana Yen

Spell out holiday cheer on your favorite platter or cookie plate with these wintery snow-capped cookies. By creating your own letter stencils with the font of your choosing, you can create a custom feel to these cookies to suit your holiday décor. Alphabet cookie cutters also work for an easier approach.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes about 3–4 dozen cookies

Ingredients

All-purpose flour (for surface)

1 batch gingerbread cookie dough, chilled

8 ounces white chocolate, melted

White sanding sugar (for sprinkling)

Special Equipment

2–3" letters printed on paper in your favorite bold font (or alphabet cookie cutters); toothpicks; an X-acto knife or small paring knife

Preparation

Step 1
Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut out printed letters with scissors to use as stencils.
Step 2
Generously flour a rolling pin and work surface. Working with 1 disc at a time, roll dough to 1/4" thick. Place stencils over dough. Using X-acto knife, cut out letters (or use alphabet cookie cutters). If dough becomes too soft, chill until firm. Place cookies 1/2" apart on prepared baking sheets. Chill 15 minutes.
Step 3
Bake cookies until edges are light golden brown, 10–12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool.
Step 4
Meanwhile, heat chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let water touch bowl), stirring, until chocolate is melted (you can also microwave chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts until melted, stirring in between bursts). Dip tops of each letter in chocolate. Using a toothpick, drag down thin lines of chocolate to form icicle shapes. Sprinkle with sanding sugar and transfer to parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets. Let stand until chocolate is dry, about 1 hour.