Name: Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cardamom; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp cloves; 1/2 tsp nutmeg; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 egg, at room temperature; 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste; 1 tsp orange zest; 1/4 cup (70 g) plum jam, cold; 1/2 cup pink sparkling sugar; 1/2 cup (15 g) freeze-dried berries; 2 cups (260 g) powdered sugar; 3-4 tbsp heavy cream; pink sprinkles

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The air is filled with the sweet aroma of sugar, spices, and plummy goodness as you pull a tray of freshly baked cookies from the oven. The Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies are not just a treat; they are a festive celebration of the holiday spirit! Inspired by the enchanting world of the Nutcracker ballet, these cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. They’re soft and chewy with a touch of buttery richness, offering a surprising burst of spiced plum jam right in the center. Imagine biting into a cookie that feels like a warm hug—now that’s what these special cookies deliver!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies

Every holiday season, our family has a tradition of baking together, filling the kitchen with laughter and the festive noises of clinking cookie sheets and mixing bowls. These Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies bring back those cherished memories of joyful baking sessions and sweet surprises. As we decorate with vibrant pink sparkling sugar and a luscious berry plum buttercream frosting, the anticipation builds. So, gather your loved ones and jump into the holiday spirit with these cookies—they’ll surely brighten up your festive celebrations!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just a couple of hours, you can whip these delightful cookies up from scratch!
Irresistible Flavor: Bursting with warmth from spices and fruity plum, these cookies are cozy and delicious.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Dressed in glistening pink sugar and topped with colorful sprinkles, they’re a feast for the eyes.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for holiday parties, cozy family gatherings, or even as a whimsical treat for yourself!
Diet-Friendly Options: The recipe can be adapted for gluten-free by using a suitable flour blend, expanding your cookie-loving crowd.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-Purpose Flour: 2 3/4 cups (344 g), spooned and leveled. This forms the base of the cookie; use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: 1/2 tsp each. These leavening agents keep your cookies from being too dense.
Salt: 1/2 tsp to enhance flavors. A pinch balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor profile.
Ground Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, & Nutmeg: 1 tsp cardamom, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/2 tsp nutmeg. These warm spices create a heavenly aroma and depth in taste.
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (200 g). This gives sweetness and helps with that lovely cookie structure.
Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (227 g), softened to room temperature. For the best texture, let it sit out for about 30 minutes.
Egg: 1, at room temperature. It helps bind everything together, contributing to the cookie’s chewy texture.
Vanilla Bean Paste: 1 tbsp for an extra burst of vanilla flavor. If unavailable, pure vanilla extract is a great substitute.
Orange Zest: 1 tsp for a bright pop of freshness. Avoid using the white pith of the zest; it can be bitter.
Plum Jam: About 1/4 cup (70 g), cold. This delicious jam forms the center surprise of your cookies. Opt for high-quality jams for the best flavors.
Pink Sparkling Sugar: 1/2 cup. This adds color and a delightful crunch.
Freeze-Dried Berries: 1/2 cup (15 g). Strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries work beautifully for the frosting. You can use a mixture, too!
Powdered Sugar: 2 cups (260 g) in the buttercream to achieve that silky smooth frosting you’re dreaming of.
Heavy Cream: 3-4 tbsp. This adds richness and helps achieve a lighter frosting consistency.
Pink Sprinkles: Just for fun! Adds a pop of color and visual appeal.

How to Make Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies don’t stick and makes for easy cleanup. Having everything ready will speed up your baking process, so keep these sheets within reach!

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This step helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices, ensuring consistent flavor and texture throughout your delicious cookies. Set aside once combined.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the very softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for about 1-2 minutes, until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, almost like whipped cream. This process incorporates air into the dough, which contributes directly to the chewy texture of your cookies.

Mix in Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla bean paste, and orange zest to the fluffy butter-sugar mixture and mix on medium speed for another 1-2 minutes until pale and airy. This adds moisture and contributes to the overall flavor palette of your cookies.

Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix. A few flour streaks remaining is perfectly fine; this helps prevent tough cookies and keeps them chewy.

Shape the Cookies: Use a 2-tbsp cookie scoop to portion out the dough, flatten each scoop, and place about 1/2 tsp of cold plum jam in the center. Carefully fold the edges over the jam and roll it into a smooth ball. Roll each ball in pink sparkling sugar for that whimsical touch. Place the dough balls on your lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart, slightly flattening them while being cautious not to expose the jam.

Bake Until Golden: Slide the cookie trays into the oven and bake for 9-10 minutes, until edges are golden. They might look slightly underbaked in the center, but they’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet. Allow them to cool for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling. This helps the flavors continue to develop.

Prepare the Berry Plum Buttercream Frosting: As your cookies cool, it’s time to whip up the frosting! In a food processor, pulse the freeze-dried berries until finely powdered, using a sieve to remove any large seeds. You should have about 2 tbsp of berry powder. In a medium bowl, mix softened butter and salt with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Then, add in the plum jam and berry powder, mixing until combined.

Finish the Frosting: Gradually add the powdered sugar and heavy cream to the berry mixture, starting on low and increasing to high speed until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. The frosting should be smooth and spreadable, perfect for piping onto your cooled cookies inside a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip.

Pipe & Decorate: Once your cookies are fully cooled, pipe the berry plum buttercream frosting on each. Feel free to get creative with swirls or shapes. Top with pink sprinkles to add that extra sparkle and whimsy, turning each cookie into a festive masterpiece.

Storing & Reheating

Store your Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4 to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, using a container that prevents moisture build-up. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer for a few hours before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they’ll last up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature. If you want to refresh them, a quick 5-7 minutes in the oven at 350°F will regain that freshly baked flavor and texture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your butter is really softened for the best consistency; too hard will result in a lumpy dough.
Be careful when folding the dough around the jam; it can leak out if you don’t seal it well.
For evenly shaped cookies, use a cookie scoop for consistent size and baking.
If your cookies spread too much, check the oven temperature or consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Adjust the powdered sugar in the frosting for your desired sweetness and texture.
These cookies can also be frozen before baking; just add an extra minute to the baking time if baking from frozen.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies encapsulate the joy of the holidays with their sweet flavors and whimsical appearance. While baking and decorating, don’t hesitate to add your own twist—maybe a sprinkle of your favorite nuts or an extra dash of spice. Enjoy these delightful treats with friends and family, savoring every chewy, jam-filled bite. It’s about more than just the cookies; it’s about creating beautiful memories around the table.

Recipe FAQs

Can I substitute the plum jam with something else?

Absolutely! While plum jam adds a unique flavor, you can try other fruit jams like apricot, raspberry, or even a citrus marmalade for a fun twist. Just ensure the consistency remains similar to avoid affecting the cookie structure.

How do I make the cookies thicker or chewier?

To achieve a thicker cookie, you can chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. Adding a bit more flour can also help if you prefer a denser texture. Make sure not to overmix the dough; this can lead to a tougher cookie.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough and freeze it for up to three months. Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze them until solid, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. When ready, bake them directly from the freezer, adding an extra minute to the baking time.

How should I decorate these cookies?

Get creative! Beyond the pink sparkling sugar and frosting, feel free to add drizzles of white chocolate, festive holiday sprinkles, or use food-safe markers to create your own designs. Let your imagination run wild!