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Although there are plenty of cookie recipes available in books, magazines, or online, there is one recipe I always rely on when it comes to my annual Christmas baking session.
These snowflake cookies not only taste just heavenly, they are also really simple and quick to make.
With this recipe, five standard ingredients that most of us already have on hand at home – flour, cornstarch, vanilla, powdered sugar, and butter – will be turned into buttery and tender treats in the blink of an eye.
That’s why this should be your to-go recipe whenever you feel a desire for a fresh and sweet-smelling sheet of cookies!
But what’s with the name?
If cookies rather than snow fell down from the skies in the winter, I’m pretty sure it would be these. They melt in your mouth as soon as they hit your tongue – just like little snowflakes.
This quality makes them irresistible, especially while they are still warm and fresh from the oven.
Make sure you bake enough of these for yourself, and all of the little cookie thieves that are sure to be drawn to the kitchen by their wonderful smell!
Another noteworthy characteristic of these cookies is their color. In contrast to other sorts that become crunchy and golden-brown when they’re baked, these stay white and delicate, similar to our delicious Sugar Cookie Cutouts.
They are plenty of more elaborate recipes out there (hello, beautiful royal icing decorations!), but sometimes simplicity is best. For me, these sweet goodies are an uncomplicated choice that perfectly satisfies my cookie needs.
Tip: If you enjoy them with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, it’s best not to dunk them into the liquid, as they might fall apart due to soft consistency.
The Recipe
- 1 vanilla bean
- 3 1/2 oz flour or 100 g
- 9 oz cornstarch or 1 cup + 2 tablespoons
- 3 1/2 oz Powdered sugar or 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons
- 9 oz butter or 2 1/4 sticks
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Cut the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the pulp.
- Place all ingredients in a large bowl and quickly knead together. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into a log about 1-1 1/2" in diameter and cut into small pieces about 1/2-2/3" in length.
- Press a fork into each piece to create a rounded cookie with a wavy pattern on top.
- Place on the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Make sure they do not become brown on top. Dust with powdered sugar if you like.
Cooking by the Numbers…
Step 1 – Combine the Ingredients
With a small knife, scrape out the vanilla pulp from the pod.
Place the cornstarch, flour, sugar, butter, and pulp into a large bowl or on a clean countertop, mix, and then knead to form a smooth dough.
Wrap in plastic and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Step 2 – Cut and Shape
Roll the dough into a log of about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and cut into slices 2/3 of an inch thick.
With a fork, press each piece down to form a round cookies with a striped pattern on top.
Step 3 – Bake
Place them on a baking tray, and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Keep an eye on them to make sure they do not become brown on top.
Enjoy while still warm, or leave to cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if you like.
Why Bake These Today?
Well, if you ask me, the question should really be: why not?
Do you really want to pass on the opportunity to enjoy baked and buttery edible snowflakes at the holidays?
They are easy to make, they come together quickly, and their marvelous smell will convince everyone around that Christmas cookie time has definitely arrived!
If you enjoyed this recipe, have a go at my Amerikaner cookie cakes, or these vanilla crescent cookies to add more variety to your holiday Christmas cookie plate, or even these black and white European Christmas cookies too.
For something just a little but sweet but just as mouth-meltingly soft (and gluten free!), these chewy ginger cookies sans the gluten may be just the thing.
And if you really don’t feel like turning on the oven, make our no-bake chocolate butter ball recipe.
Tell us about your own baking experience in the comments below!
And make sure to check out more Christmas treat ideas, dessert recipes, and cookie recipes!
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Photos by Nina-Kristin Isensee, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
About Nina-Kristin Isensee
Nina lives in Iserlohn, Germany and holds an MA in Art History (Medieval and Renaissance Studies). She is currently working as a freelance writer in various fields. She enjoys travel, photography, cooking, and baking. Nina tries to cook from scratch every day when she has the time and enjoys trying out new spices and ingredients, as well as surprising her family with new cake creations.
Can I put dough for tender snowflake cookies in a cookie press?
Hi Debbi,
Spritz cookies made in a press typically include an egg in the batter and these do not, but some bakers have had success using more of a shortbread-style dough like this one in their presses. Give it a shot, and please let us know how they turn out!