These Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, sweet, and perfect for the holiday season! Decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles for a festive touch that’s sure to make you smile.
Making these cookies is an absolute blast! I love rolling out the dough and cutting out fun shapes. And come on, taste-testing the dough is a must—who can resist? 😊
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose Flour: The base of the cookies. For a gluten-free version, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. I find the texture is still great, just be mindful of the flour measurement.
Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal for controlling the saltiness in your dough. You can substitute coconut oil for a non-dairy option, but the cookies may spread more.
Egg: While eggs add moisture and texture, you can substitute with 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) for a vegan version.
Almond Extract: This is optional, but it adds a lovely flavor depth. If you don’t have it, you can use more vanilla extract or omit it altogether.
How Do I Get My Royal Icing to the Right Consistency?
Royal icing is key for decorating your cookies. To get it just right, follow these steps:
- Mix powdered sugar and meringue powder with warm water slowly. Start with 7 tablespoons of water.
- Beat on low until combined, then on high until stiff peaks form—about 5 minutes.
- For outlining, keep the icing thick. For flooding (filling in), add more water slowly until it drizzles off a spoon easily but isn’t runny.
- Test the consistency by drizzling a bit onto itself; it should settle back in 10-15 seconds.
By mastering the icing’s consistency, your decorated cookies will look fantastic and be a hit during the holidays! Enjoy creating and sharing these delightful treats with friends and family. Happy baking!
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 7-8 tablespoons warm water
- Food coloring (red, green, black, orange, pink, brown as needed)
- Assorted sprinkles for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 30 minutes for prep, plus 2 hours for chilling the dough. Baking takes around 10 minutes, and decorating might take an additional hour or more, especially if you want to get creative! Plan to allow time for the icing to dry completely before storing your cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy—this should take about 3-4 minutes. Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Once mixed, divide the dough into two halves. Flatten each half into a disk, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight, if you prefer).
2. Roll and Cut the Cookies:
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour a clean surface, and roll one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes like snowmen, Christmas trees, Santa faces, and snowflakes. Carefully transfer the cutouts to your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.
3. Bake the Cookies:
Place the cookies in the oven and bake them for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn lightly golden. When they’re ready, remove them from the oven, and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before moving them to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Royal Icing:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add warm water and mix on low speed until ingredients are combined. Then beat on high speed for about 5 minutes until stiff peaks form. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring for different colors. If needed, thin the icing with a few drops of water for flooding or leave it thicker for outlining and detailing.
5. Decorate the Cookies:
Using piping bags fitted with fine tips, begin outlining each cookie and then flood the base with the icing. Allow the base icing to dry for about 15-20 minutes. After that, get creative and add details like scarves, hats, faces, buttons, and festive sprinkles to your cookies! Let the decorated cookies dry completely, preferably overnight, before storing them away.
6. Store:
Once your cookies are dry, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week!
Enjoy your delicious Christmas sugar cookies, all decked out in colorful icing and sprinkles! They’re the perfect festive treats to share with family and friends during the holiday season!
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour for These Cookies?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. Just ensure to measure correctly for the best results!
How Should I Store the Cookies After Decorating?
Once the royal icing is completely dry (preferably overnight), store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week!
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out.
What If I Don’t Have Meringue Powder for the Icing?
No problem! You can substitute it with egg whites if you prefer. Use about 2 egg whites for every 3 tablespoons of meringue powder. Just be sure to use the icing immediately, as it won’t hold up as well as icing made with meringue powder.
