Mrs. Claus’ Merry Wink Cookies

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

4 cups powdered sugar

3 tbsp meringue powder

5–6 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)

Gel food coloring: red, green, black, peach (or soft pink), and white

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough forms.

Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour for easier rolling and cutting.

Preheat Oven: Set to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll and Cut: Roll the dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Use round or Mrs. Claus-shaped cutters to cut out cookies.

Bake: Place cookies on the prepared sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Cool: Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat on low speed until smooth, then increase to medium speed until icing forms stiff peaks (about 5–7 minutes).

Divide and Color: Split icing into small bowls and tint each with gel food coloring.

Peach or pink: for Mrs. Claus’ face

Red: for her hat and lips

Green: for accents

Black: for her glasses and eyes

White: for her hair and snow details

Adjust Consistency: Thin portions of icing with water to create a flooding consistency for filling larger areas. Keep some thicker for outlines and details.

Base Layers: Pipe and flood the face with peach or pink icing, and her hat with red icing. Let dry slightly before adding details.

Add Details: Use white icing for her hair and fluffy hat trim, and green icing for festive accents like holly.

Finish Features: Pipe black icing for her eyes and glasses. Add red icing for her lips.

Let Set: Allow each layer to dry for at least 10–15 minutes before adding the next to prevent blending or smudging.

Layer Drying Time: Let cookies dry completely (1–2 hours) before stacking or packaging.

Fine Details: Use a small round piping tip (#1 or #2) for precision.

Edible Extras: Add edible glitter or tiny sugar pearls for extra holiday sparkle!

Prep Time: 1 hour (plus chilling)

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Decorating Time: 1–2 hours

Servings: ~24 cookies

Calories: ~140 per cookie

Enjoy the Festivity!

These Mrs. Claus’ Merry Wink Cookies are not only delicious but also a charming addition to your holiday treats. Perfect for sharing with family, friends, or leaving out for Santa!