It’s that magical time of year again, and nothing says Christmas like festive cookie designs! I remember one Christmas when my son, Jake, decided to decorate cookies with more sprinkles than icing. The result was a colorful mess, but we laughed so hard. Today, we’re creating adorable mini Christmas royal icing cookies shaped like Santa and candy canes. These aesthetic Christmas cookies decorated with love will surely bring joy to your holiday gatherings.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love It
- They’re fun to make with family and friends.
- You can customize the designs to fit your style.
- They make perfect gifts in a Christmas cookie box.
Pure Comfort
There’s something heartwarming about baking and decorating cookies during the holidays. The smell of sugar cookies baking fills the house with warmth, and the joy of sharing them with loved ones is unmatched.
What You Need
- 2 3/4 cups 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (330 g) – Sifted for better texture.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp baking powder – Helps cookies rise slightly.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp salt – Enhances sweetness.
- 1 cup 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g) – Bring to room temperature.
- 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 g) – For sweetness.
- 1 large 1 large egg – Room temperature.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp vanilla extract – For flavor.
- as needed Royal icing – For decorating; can be made with powdered sugar and egg whites.
- as needed Food coloring – Use red and green for festive colors.
- as needed Sprinkles – For extra decoration.
Time to Cook
Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total: 1 hour | Difficulty: Medium | Make-Ahead: Yes, cookies can be made a day in advance.
Steps to Make It
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This is important to get those cookies baking evenly. You want them to be lightly golden, not burnt.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that your dry ingredients are well combined and helps with the cookie’s texture.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and airy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. The batter should be smooth and creamy, which is a good sign that it’s ready for the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a soft dough that holds together.
- Chill the dough for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator. This makes it easier to roll out and helps prevent spreading while baking.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out your cookie shapes using festive cookie cutters like Santa and candy canes. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should be just set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. This is crucial; otherwise, the icing will melt and slide off. Once cool, use royal icing to decorate your cookies with your favorite designs.
Make It Perfect
- If you want to save time, make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it.
- Use a toothpick to help with fine details when decorating with royal icing.
- If royal icing is too thick, add a few drops of water to thin it out.
Mix It Up
- Try using different cookie shapes like Christmas trees or snowflakes.
- Experiment with flavors by adding almond extract instead of vanilla.
Perfect Partners
- Pair these cookies with hot cocoa for a cozy treat.
- Serve alongside a platter of other holiday cookies for variety.
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FAQs
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake them a day in advance and store them in an airtight container.
How do I store leftover cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! Freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months.
What can I use instead of royal icing?
You can use store-bought frosting or a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk.
What if my cookies spread too much?
Make sure to chill the dough before baking to help maintain their shape.
Conclusion
These festive Christmas cookie designs are not just treats; they’re a way to create memories with your loved ones. With a little practice, you’ll be decorating Christmas cookies aesthetic enough to impress anyone. So gather your family, put on some holiday music, and let the cookie decorating fun begin!
Festive Christmas Cookie Designs Santa and Candy Canes
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Sifted for better texture
- 1 tsp baking powder Helps cookies rise slightly
- 1/2 tsp salt Enhances sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Bring to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar For sweetness
- 1 large egg Room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract For flavor
- as needed Royal icing For decorating; can be made with powdered sugar and egg whites
- as needed Food coloring Use red and green for festive colors
- as needed Sprinkles For extra decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and cut out cookie shapes.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with royal icing and sprinkles.