Get ready to transform your kitchen into a cozy autumn wonderland with these stunning Fall Leaf Cookies that are about to become your new seasonal obsession! Imagine crisp, buttery cookies that look just like the beautiful leaves dancing outside your window - these treats aren't just desserts, they're edible works of art that capture the magical essence of fall in every delightful bite. Whether you're hosting a harvest party, looking for a festive baking project, or simply wanting to bring some seasonal cheer to your home, these stunning leaf cookies will have everyone talking.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Fall-themed food coloring
- Royal icing for decoration
- Leaf-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer on medium speed (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Divide the dough into portions and add fall-themed food coloring (oranges, yellows, and browns) to create leaf-like colors.
- Roll out the colored dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookie shapes, carefully transferring them to prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and cookies are set.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Once cooled, decorate with royal icing to add veins and details to make cookies resemble autumn leaves.
- Allow icing to set completely before storing cookies in an airtight container.
Tips
- • Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant, concentrated fall colors • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading • Use a light touch when cutting leaf shapes to maintain delicate details • Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting • Experiment with different fall color combinations like deep oranges, rustic browns, and golden yellows • Store cookies in a single layer to preserve their beautiful decorative details • For extra authenticity, look for leaf veining tools or use the back of a knife to create natural-looking leaf textures
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 30mg
