The holiday season is the perfect time for festive sugar cookie decorating ideas for Christmas parties. I remember one year when my son, Jake, decided to turn our kitchen into a cookie wonderland. We had sprinkles everywhere, and the laughter was just as sweet as the cookies we made together!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love It
- These cookies are a fun family activity that everyone can enjoy.
- You can personalize them for each guest at your party.
- They make great gifts for neighbors and friends, spreading holiday cheer.
Pure Comfort
There’s something so comforting about the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies wafting through the house. When you decorate them, it’s like adding a personal touch to each delightful treat. Plus, they taste as good as they look!
What You Need
- 2 3/4 cups 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (330 g) – Sifted for best results.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp baking soda – Helps the cookies rise.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp baking powder – Adds a little fluffiness.
- 1 cup 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g) – Can substitute with margarine.
- 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 cups white sugar (300 g) – For sweetness.
- 1 1 egg – Large, for binding.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp vanilla extract – For flavor.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp almond extract – Optional, adds a nice touch.
- 1/4 tsp 1/4 tsp salt – Enhances sweetness.
- as needed Royal icing for decoration – Can use store-bought or homemade.
- as needed Sprinkles and edible decorations – Get creative with colors!
Time to Cook
Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total: 40 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: Yes, cookies can be made a day in advance.
Steps to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly. The aroma of warm cookies will fill your kitchen soon!
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir until combined. This dry mix is the foundation for your delicious cookies.
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes. You want it to be light in color and texture.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well blended. The mixture should look creamy and inviting.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix; you want your cookies to be soft and tender.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them onto ungreased cookie sheets. Leave some space between them as they will spread while baking.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; you want them to be soft in the center.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks. This cooling time helps them set perfectly.
- Once cooled, it’s time to decorate! Use royal icing and your favorite sprinkles to create cute Christmas cookie decorations. Let your creativity shine!
Make It Perfect
- For a fun twist, try adding food coloring to your icing for vibrant designs.
- If you want to make the dough ahead of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week.
- Use a toothpick to create intricate designs with your icing; it’s easier than you think!
Mix It Up
- Try adding different extracts like peppermint for a minty flavor.
- Use flavored sprinkles or colored sugar to match your holiday theme.
Perfect Partners
- Pair these cookies with hot cocoa or eggnog for a festive treat.
- Consider serving them alongside a holiday cheese platter for a sweet and savory combo.
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FAQs
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to a week.
How should I store leftover cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, baked cookies freeze well. Just place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
What can I use instead of butter?
You can use margarine or coconut oil as a substitute.
What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?
Using royal icing gives a beautiful finish, and you can add sprinkles for extra fun!
Conclusion
These festive sugar cookie decorating ideas for Christmas parties are sure to bring joy to your holiday celebrations. Get your family involved and create some delightful memories together. Happy baking and decorating!
Festive Sugar Cookie Decorating Ideas for Christmas Parties
Equipment
- Oven
- Mixing Bowl
- baking sheets
- Wire racks
Ingredients
Main
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour sifted for best results
- 1 tsp baking soda helps the cookies rise
- 1/2 tsp baking powder adds a little fluffiness
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened; can substitute with margarine
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar for sweetness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for flavor
- 1/2 tsp almond extract optional, adds a nice touch
- 1/4 tsp salt enhances sweetness
- as needed royal icing for decoration; can use store-bought or homemade
- as needed sprinkles and edible decorations get creative with colors
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined.
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well blended.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just combined; do not overmix.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on ungreased baking sheets with space between.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing and sprinkles as desired.