From Page to Pastry: Baking Tips from an Indie Author's Kitchen
- apiperburgi
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
The Christmas cookie baking season is officially here! Whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned pro, you’ll find helpful answers to some of the most common holiday cookie questions right here.
So many of us get caught up in the idea of baking the perfect Christmas cookies and cakes— striving to wow family and friends — when, in truth, holiday baking doesn’t need to be nearly so complicated. Delicious cookies don’t have to be difficult to make. Sometimes, the simplest treats are the ones that bring the most joy.
After all, what would the holiday season be without Christmas cookies? Nothing completes the most wonderful time of the year quite like the comforting aroma of oranges, cinnamon, and vanilla drifting through the house, or the simple pleasure of biting into a crisp, freshly baked cookie.
Those cold winter days leading up to Christmas are made for baking — for turning kitchens into cozy havens and creating sweet traditions that linger long after the last crumb is gone. Whether you’re preparing rich, chocolate-laden cookies studded with nuts, delicacies filled with candied fruits, or treats infused with warm, exotic spices, every batch becomes a gift of love.
No matter the flavor, one thing remains true: classic Christmas cookies are nonnegotiable. They are inseparably tied to cherished memories of holidays past, laughter shared around the table, and the comfort of traditions carried forward. In the end, cookies transform the season into bite-sized moments of pure holiday bliss.
Almost every baker has experienced these kinds of dilemmas: The dough is made, but when it's time to use it, the rude awakening comes. The mixture crumbles, sticks to everything, can't be rolled out, or the cookies end up burnt. But with these little tips and tricks, you should be able to salvage the situation or avoid these mishaps altogether.
What to do when...
...the shortcrust dough just falls apart?
This often happens when the dough was kneaded too long. Add some egg white.
...the beaten egg white won't form stiff peaks?
A pinch of salt or a squirt of lemon juice should remedy the situation.
...the dough is sticky and can't be rolled out?
Put the dough into the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to half an hour. It's always easier to work with a properly cooled dough.
...the dough sticks to the cookie cutters?
Keep a shallow bowl of flour or sugar nearby and dip the cookie cutters into it before every use. Remove any dough remnants with a pastry brush.
...the cookies bake to varying degrees?
It begins when you roll out the dough. To ensure you roll it out evenly, place two sticks on either side of the dough to guide you. If the cookies still don't bake evenly, take the baking sheet out of the oven halfway through the baking process, turn it 180 degrees, and put it back in the oven.
...the cookies stick to the baking sheet and break?
Put the baking sheet back in the oven for a couple of minutes. Warm cookies are easier to remove than cold ones. And next time, don't forget to line your baking sheet with parchment paper!
...the sugar glaze doesn't stick to the cookies?
Add a few drops of lemon juice or water to the glaze. It's also helpful to remove any remnants of flour from the cookies by carefully brushing them off with a small pastry brush.
How to avoid baking mishaps in the first place!
The Perfect Shortcrust Dough
All ingredients should be at room temperature, even the butter. That way, the dough can be kneaded quickly, which will prevent the dough from turning crumbly.
Silky-smooth Melted Chocolate
Chocolate must be tempered correctly to ensure it won't turn crumbly or form gray streaks. If you're in a hurry, you may add some coconut or peanut oil. Never add water or milk to the melted chocolate to ensure it stays fluid.
Separating Eggs
It is best to separate eggs individually over a cup. This prevents any yolk from ending up in the egg whites, which won't form stiff peaks when whisked.
Impeccable Cookies
When working with cookie cutters, one of the greatest challenges is moving the cookies onto the baking sheet in one piece. That's why it's a good idea to roll out the dough directly on the parchment paper, press the cookie cutters into the dough, and then remove the excess.
Wishing everyone a merry holiday season and Happy Baking!
Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.
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