These awesome Lemon Glazed Christmas Wreath Cookies are a not too sweet butter cookie with a sweet but tart lemon glaze shaped like a wreath. Perfect for a holiday cookie platter, or a fun homemade Christmas decoration.
These are the type of cookie that looks fancy but is actually easy to make. They’re also the type of cookie that you’ll find yourself craving. I’ve made them many times since I originally posted the recipe about nine years ago.
Also included in this post is a Recipe Round-Up. I’ve joined a fun group of bloggers to put together a roundup of recipes on the first day of every month. This month we’re sharing Must Make Christmas Cookie Recipes.
Marcellina, Marcellina in Cucina, posted beautiful lemon glazed wreath cookies and I immediately wanted to try them.
The recipe was originally printed in Australian Women Weekly so it was in metric measurements. Maria’s Menu converted the recipe from grams to cups, and linked to a video showing how to shape the wreaths.
Instead of self-rising flour called for in the original recipe, I used regular all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a little salt. I also simplified the directions.
The first time I made these cookies, I talked my oldest son into making them with me. It’s a bit time consuming to shape them, but easier than rolling out and decorating sugar cookies.
Our first wreaths were a little misshapen but after a while, we got better at it, although they all looked pretty after they were glazed!
The glaze is pretty thick until you heat it then it will be a thin drizzling consistency. I found it was easier to dip the cookies in the glaze instead of icing them.
Can I Make Ahead and Freeze Lemon Glazed Christmas Wreath Cookies
These cookies freeze and thaw very well.
- Bake and glaze them and then freeze them
- Freeze the glazed cookies on a baking sheet for one hour
- Place the cookies in Ziploc freezer bags with wax paper between the layers
- Thaw them on the counter for an hour or more before serving
For more information on freezing cookies, here’s a great guide for freezing cookies.
I didn’t love this cookie without the glaze because it isn’t very sweet, but after they were glazed with the tart-sweet glaze, I couldn’t get enough of them.
If you’re a lemon lover like me, I’m sure you’re going to love them too.
Lemon Glazed Christmas Wreath Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter 8 tablespoons
- ¼ cup milk
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs room temperature
Lemon Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives until crumbly.
- Add milk and sugar to a small saucepan, stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. , Add vanilla extract. Cool 5-10 mins.
- Stir warm milk mixture and egg into flour mixture.
- Knead dough on floured surface until smooth.
- Roll rounded teaspoons of dough into 5-inch ropes. Twist two ropes together then shape twist into circles and press edges together. Place about 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper or Silpats.
- Bake 15 mins until cookies are firm and lightly browned on the bottom. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes and remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- When the cookies are completely cooled carefully place the cookie upside down into the icing and removed it by lifting it out with your fingers or a knife in the middle of the wreath. Place on a wire rack set in a baking sheet and let the icing dry before serving.
- Lemon Icing
- Sift powdered sugar into a heat proof bowl; stir in enough juice to make a paste.
- Place bowl on top of a small saucepan of simmering water and heat until icing is pourable.
Notes
Nutrition
MORE CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Holiday Ginger Cookies
Haystack Cookies
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Christmas Wreath Cookies
Swedish Christmas Cookies
Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chai Spiced Gingerbread Stars
Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordial Cookies
Raspberry Thumbprints
Also, visit my Best Christmas Cookies post for more great Christmas cookie ideas.
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Paula
They are so pretty and I bet they are delicious!
Kim
Barbara – I saw a similar version of these cookies over on Martha Stewart’s site and was instantly drawn to them. They really do look delicious and I bet they were addictive. Glad to hear that you son baked along with you!
Lisa
If two people made these cookies, then they must be something special. They certainly do have that “make me now” look about them and anything lemon flavored is always good.
Megan
My MIL always brings me Meyer Lemons at Christmas and I just may have to try these!
Tanvi
These look super like snow cookies to me…and the lemon glaze lends perfect crisp!
Mimi
They look great and lemon is a favorite flavor around here. Maybe adding some lemon zest in the cookie dough would be good.
Mimi
Blond Duck
I can’t wait to start making Christmas cookies!
Sophie
WAW!! Your cookies look so festive & awesome too!
MMMMM,..great as a good food gift!! Yummie!
megan
I too thought about making those cookies – but alas, I ran out of time.
Fortunately, you did all the work converting the metric to imperial, and now I don’t have any excuses!
April
They are gorgeous!!
Tracy
I love these!! So light and dainty; I wouldn’t be able to get enough of them either! Can’t wait to try these!
JG
What a nice little gift! The lemon flavored wreaths remind me of the Italian Cookies that I have not made in years. 🙂 The cookie was not sweet, but the added flavored colored glaze made them irresistible. Your cookies look yummy!
Amy (Sing For Your Supper)
I HAVE to try these!! How simple and beautiful they look!
Sue
Barbara, I ALMOST made these cookies this week too! Now, after seeing them for the second time, I must make them! They sound so delicious and look so beautiful and festive. Perfect for Christmas!
pigpigscorner
They look so pretty! Love the lemon icing!
deeba
Love them GF. Love how beautifully you made them, and the flavours are right up my street! VERY NICE!!
Jessica @ How Sweet
These are just too pretty! I love them.
kathleen
These are so elegant! I love anything lemon.
Maria Jose
The cookies look gorgeous! Thanks Barbara for the link. Wish you a Merry Xmas in advance!
Cheers
Maria
Rosa
Oh, they are so pretty and perfect! I cannot resist lemon cookies.
Cheers,
Rosa