Originally Published October 30, 2019 – Updated Dec. 14, 2020
Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, you’ve probably seen the embossed cookie trends sweeping social media. Just how do they get those darling patterns onto those delicious cookies? Well we’ve got the recipes and the 411 on just how to make delicious embossed Christmas cookies.
Not only are embossed rolling pins ridiculously easy to use, but they create cookies that look delicate and beautiful with minimal effort. Simply make your dough and refrigerate it. Then roll it to the desired thickness with a regular rolling pin. Next, apply even pressure and roll the embossed pin over the top to create the design. From there you can go as fancy or as simple as you’d like! Dip the cookies in chocolate, use the rolling pin to emboss a layer of fondant, whatever floats your boat.
You can grab a beautiful rolling pin with pine cones and boughs here, it’s versatile enough that you can use it at any time during the winter. If you’re ready to jump on this trend full throttle, then this set is for you! It’s got Christmas trees, gingerbread men, candy canes, and more. This darling rolling pin would work fabulously for square cookies because it has snowflakes, each in their own border. And this one creates beautiful knitting patterns, which makes them great to cut out mittens and hats. Grab one. Grab them all! Each is sure to create delicate and delicious cookies.
The best way to get crisp lines on your embossed cookies is to make sure your dough is chilled first and then placed in the oven quickly. If the butter in the dough is allowed to get to room temperature, you’ll lose a little of your detail.
Now that you have your rolling pins, it’s time to get your recipes right! These pins work best with a dough that is firm (think shortbread or sugar cookie dough). You can glaze these with a light flavored glaze or use the rolling pin on some marshmallow fondant that gets used as a cookie topper!
Easily Create The Cutest Cookies With Embossed Rolling Pins
Recipe 01: Springerle Shortbread
This shortbread is meant be stamped, so it’s got the right consistency for an embossed rolling pin. It also has a deep flavor that melts in your mouth. You can add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to give the dough a little more “Christmas” cheer, but our crew will eat these hot out of the oven.
Springerle Shortbread
Equipment
- Oven
- Embossed Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 1 c. butter room temperature
- ½ c. light brown sugar
- 2 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 c. flour
Instructions
- Begin by creaming the butter, sugars, and salt together in a mixer. When it's nice and fluffy, beat in the egg and vanilla until combined. Next, fold in the flour.
- When the dough has come together, divide it in half and shape both halves into round disks before wrapping in plastic and allowing to chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
- When you're reading to bake, heat the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, then set aside.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out on a floured surface with a regular rolling pin until you have a dough that is about ¼" thick. When you have the desired thickness, slowly roll the embossed pin over the top of the dough to create the design. Then using either a cup, round cookie cutter, or other desired shape, cut out cookies and place them on the lined baking sheets. Repeat until all dough has been used.
- When you're ready, bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Then remove from the pan and allow to cool. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe 02: Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies need no frosting to give them flavor! The brown sugar and spices create a flavor profile that will practically scream Christmas to your taste buds. You can drizzle a thin sugar glaze over the top of these to add a sheen, but the cookies don’t lack in flavor or sweetness.
Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Embossed Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 5 oz. butter room temperature
- 1 ¼ c. dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 3 ¼ c. flour
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp. ground cloves
- ¾ tsp. dried ginger powder
- ½ tsp. powdered anise seeds
- ½ tsp. finely crushed black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the eggs and vanilla and continue to whisk. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices before adding slowly to the butter mixture and beat until just combined. Do not overwork the dough! If the dough is sticky, add a little flour a tsp. at a time. If the dough seems dry, add milk a tsp. at a time until you have a good dough.
- When the dough is done, divide in half and shape into two disks before wrapping in plastic wrap and allowing to set in the fridge for at least two hours.
- When the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F and prep two baking sheets with parchment paper. Then remove the dough from the fridge and roll out the dough one disk at a time over a floured surface until you have about a ¼" thickness.
- Next, using even pressure, roll the embossed pin over the top of the dough. Then use a cup, round cookie cutter, or other desired shape to cut out cookies. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-13 minutes until the edges just start to brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Serve and enjoy!
Now that you know how to make embossed cookies and have two delicious recipes to use, it’s time to get baking. The next time you find yourself out of time, try using one of these! They are sure to please kids and adults. Happy Baking!
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