pink champagne cookies
Please don’t hate me for shoving another cookie recipe in your face after what may have been the most sugar coma-inducing week of the year.
And I’m not really shoving these cookies in your face, anyway, as I’m more just highly, highly suggesting that you make room for them in your tummy for New Year’s Eve. Pretty please.
I’m not really one to get all googly-eyed over pretty foods (I’m more of the, “Oh, that mound of brown goop tastes just like chocolate ganache? LET ME AT IT” type), but I couldn’t get over how cute and fanciful these cookies looked in the recipe photo and so, I had to make them. And, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, I’m so glad I did.
You see, pink champagne — or champagne in general, for that matter — isn’t really my favorite on its own, but when you reduce it, bake it into a cookie and then top said cookie with a champagne-tinged icing… well, that’s an entirely different matter. The result is a soft, sweet cookie with an almost tart, almost grapefruit-like flavor imparted by the reduced champagne. They’re kind of like the Audrey Hepburn of cookies to me — like a classy party in cookie form. I don’t know. I can’t be trusted to have much logic right now, considering I made cookies the day after Christmas.
Anywhos, my suggestion is that you make these cookies on New Year’s Eve, share them with loved ones (and I am in full support if that just means you and your cat, meaning you get all the cookies) and dance-party the night away, you classy dance partier, you.
P.S. Here! I even have a playlist I made for you and your January. And here’s one my husband made, too (we kind of have this weird playlist competition going on. Because we’re cool like that).
PrintPink Champagne Cookies
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 37 mins
- Yield: 2 dozen cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups pink champagne or sparkling wine
- 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
For the icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pour pink champagne into a medium saucepan over high heat. Boil champagne until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a measuring cup; chill until cold.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
- In a separate large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, cream 1/2 cup sugar and shortening until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of the cold champagne reduction; stir to combine (shortening will be lumpy). Add flour mixture and stir until a very soft dough forms.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, rolling each ball of dough in remaining sugar before transferring to prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly press down dough with fingers or the back of a measuring cup dipped in sugar. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until edges are just set. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the icing: Whisk together powdered sugar with remaining 1/4 cup cold champagne reduction and pinch of salt. Dip cooled cookies in icing, letting excess drip off. Let icing set for a couple of minutes, then sprinkle with pearl sugar or sprinkles. Let icing set completely before serving.
These are so cute! I would love to make them for a New Year’s eve party! Sadly, I’ll probably be getting takeout with my boyfriend and watching the ball drop. NExt year!
I just read “brown goop” as “brown poop”. 2014 brings me new glasses. However, it made me laugh at this early hour. I think that these are so pretty. I’d definitely pick them up at a party. Have a wonderful new year. It’s going to be your best one, yet. Baby girls are the best! 😉
ummm LOVE! They are so pretty I would be kind of sad to eat them. Not too sad though. 🙂
How gorgeous are these!! Pink champagne is the perfect way to celebrate NYE
Champagne in cookies? I’m in! Cheers to 2014 🙂
Since champagne is involved, I can definitely make room for these cookies! So pretty!
These are the cutest cookies ever! I love the addition of champagne!
Those look so adorable and sweet!
A nice touch to start the new year with =)
{Teffy’s Perks} X
I also like pink champagne in jellies. Nothing says retro party like shaped fruity jelly in my books. However I might save some for theses pink pretties!
These are soooooooo pretty!!! I wish you were bringing them over right now 😉
Ali — Orrrrrr more cookies for you and the manfriend to enjoy together? 😉 Happy New Year’s, dear!
Julie — Lol! That made my day. 🙂 Happy New Year, Momma Swope!
Marie — Thanks, dear! Happy New Year!
Steph — Thanks, lady!
Lisa — Thanks so much! Happy New Year to you and Anna!
Kelli — Haha, I’m glad these cookies make the cut! 🙂 Happy New Year, friend!
Jocelyn — Thanks, dear!
Teffy — Thank you so much!
Belinda — Agreed! The more pink champagne things, the merrier 🙂
Ashley — Again, why aren’t our states closer? 😉 Thanks, dear!
Stephanie these are absolutely gorgeous! Paired with a glass of bubbly (you can have a tiny sip right?) and I am in heaven. Cheers to a big year ahead of you! XO
Cutest.cookies.ever!! Happy New Year, friend! 🙂
Such a fun flavour! These cookies look great!
These are the absolute cutest cookies I’ve ever seen. Love them, so bad. Happy new year to you and hubs!
i once upon a time received a pink champagne cake at a birthday party and it was the most delightful cake! i think i will have to take the cue from that cake and from these beautiful cookies to get me boozy baking.
Cutest New Years appropriate cookies EVER! Happy almost New Years, Stephanie!
How lovely! I love, love pink champagne, (prob too much). Happy New Year!
dishing up the dirt — I want these with a glass of that cocktail on your blog today! I’ll just have to do my own New Year’s celebration in May when I can drink again. 😉 Happy New Year, friend!
Laura — Thanks, dear!
Katrina — Thank you! Happy New Year to you!
Kathryn — Thank you, dear 🙂 And same to you and the BF!
molly — Boozy baking = the best kind of baking. 😉 Thanks!
Lauren — Thank you, dear! Same to you! 🙂
Maria — One cannot possibly love pink champagne too much, methinks. 😉 Happy New Year!
I always have room for anything with champagne!! These are so pretty!! Happy New year 🙂
PINK!!! Let me at ’em!!!
These are SO UP MY ALLEY it’s not even funny. Birthday party fare next week, I do believe.
Wow these are so fun!! I love that you put champagne in cookies! Happy New Year!
GORGEOUS!! I do not drink, but I can totally get behind champagne cookies!
Happy New year!
Steph! These are gooorgeous cookies (never too many cookies in my opinion!). The addition of pink champagne is absolutely beautiful, I’d never have thought of that. Love the playlists… haha, my husband and I tend to just make collaborative playlists (often sneaking in songs without the other’s knowledge) so I’ll be baking to my acoustic playlist and suddenly some Skrillex will come on! All fun and games, right? Anyway hope that you and yours have a brilliant start to 2014!! Eat, drink, be merry, be blessed! Laura xx
These are definitely too cute not to make and inhale IMMEDIATELY. Everyone had better stay out of my way until I do. Happy new year chica!!
These are so cute and look like the perfect way to ring in the new year! wishing you a happy new year and all the best for 2014!!
Zainab — Thanks so much! Happy New Year! 🙂
Stephie — RIGHT?? <3
Natalie — I know! I actually thought of you when I made them. 🙂 Happy New Year and almost birthday, lovely!
Julia — Thanks so much, dear! Happy New Year!
Tieghan — Thanks so much! Happy New Year!
Laura — Ha! Glad we’re not the only ones who do that kind of stuff. 😉 Thanks, dear, and happy New Year to you, too!
Joanne — I know just what you mean. 🙂 Happy New Year, lady!
Jessica — Thanks, girl! Same to you and yours! xo
These cookies look fantastic! Love anything pink! have a Happy New Year!
These are beautiful! Happy New Year, friend!
Pink Champagne!!! Yes.. Love these… Happy New Year to you my friend! All the best in 2014..
Wow I love these, they’re so beautiful and look yummy. I’m also obsessed with the color “blush” lately so that definitely has something to do with it ha! Hope you have a great new year’s Stephanie!
These look so cute and delicious, Stephanie! And I’m totally with you with the whole making cookies after Christmas thing (:
Layla — Thanks! Happy New Year!
Jessica — Thanks, dear! Same to you!
Erika — Thanks, lady! Happy New Year to you! xo
Alexe — Totally obsessed with that color, too, lately! Great minds. 🙂 Thanks dear, and Happy New Year!
Caroline — Ha, thanks! I just can’t stop eating cookies. 😉
Never enough cookies for me!! These are too adorable! Happy New Year, sweet Stephanie!!
These are so lovely and fun. I love champagne, but have never baked with it before. These cookies fit “the look” perfectly. And…I am loving your new site design. It is so soft and pretty and absolutely lovely, very reflective of you! Happy New Year, Stephanie!
These are so pretty! They would have been perfect to enjoy with my girlies on New Year. So fun! Hope you had a wonderful NYE, lady!
Seriously love these. They are gorgeous and so fanciful-just like you said. I think they’d be perfect for Valentine’s Day or a girl’s night too!
Anna — Thanks so much, friend! Same to you 🙂
Brenda — Thank you so much! This was my first time baking with champagne, too, but it certainly won’t be the last. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Julia — Guess that means you’ll have to have another party this weekend to make them for (even that party means just you and your couch, which I think is reason enough ;)). Happy New Year, dearie!
Courtney — Yes, agreed! Any time is a good time when cookies are involved. 🙂 Thanks, friend!
These are beautiful! All times of the year! I can definitely see these as a little valentines treat! love the champagne in there!
Alaina — Thank you so much!
Love these Stephanie!! They are so much fun. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! <3
These look so pretty and fanciful!! and I love that you are still baking cookies after Christmas. I have cookies in my kitchen right now and a chocolate babka in the oven despite everyone being on new year’s diets. Oh well, more for me
Okay, I’m late but these cookies are so cute! They like scream celebration!
I wish I had some sparkling wine! These cookies look so cute.
Happy New Year Stephanie! Love how pretty these cookies are, they would be perfect for a bridal shower or gathering too 🙂
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I do get excited about how pretty food looks (don’t judge). 😉 These cookies are gorgeous and an awesome idea for any celebration. 🙂
What are your thoughts on using butter instead of shortening. These are darling-if cookies can be that!
Kati — You can definitely use butter in place of the shortening, but the cookies will be more dense (but still tasty, I’m sure!).
These are incredibly pretty! It’s hard to get just the right light shade of pink and you nailed it here. Beautiful!
OMG, my wife and I just made these cookies to celebrate two of our good friends finding out they are welcoming a baby girl to this world. So fun! .. and so cute! Just wish you could get drunk by eating them.. but trust me if you could I would have been totally shwasted, because I could not stop eating them. So delicious!
Luke — Haha, wouldn’t that be nice? 😉 So glad you all liked them!
Could you substitute butter for the vegetable shortening??
Jo — Yes, you can, but the cookies may not be as soft and lightweight. Still tasty, though!
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Could you use butter instead of shortening?
Laura — You could, but the texture will be much denser and more crumbly.
Can you use butter instead of the shortening?
Thank you for posting! These cookies look great and are going to be perfect addition to Oscar Party I’m attending this weekend 🙂
I am curious about vegetable shortening though – would you recommend sticking with this or could I possibly substitute with butter? If so, do you know by chance how much butter I should use? Thank you!
Alyson — Fun! You can replace all of the shortening with an equal amount of butter. They won’t be quite as soft, but they’ll still be tasty!
Can we substitute the shortening for unsalted butter?
Amirtha — Yes, but the texture won’t be as soft (more crumbly, but still tasty!).
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Calls for 2 cups of sugar but you only add 1/2 cup to shortening. What happens to rest of sugar???
L, It actually calls for 1 cup sugar; 1/2 cup goes into the cookies, and you roll the cookie dough in other 1/2 cup!