Festive Christmas Cookie Designs: Santa, Candy Canes, and More

Nothing says festive like a batch of Christmas themed cookie designs! I remember one year, my son Jake and I spent an entire afternoon decorating cookies shaped like Santa and candy canes. We ended up with more icing on our faces than on the cookies, but we had a blast and created some cute Christmas cookies that we still laugh about today.

Why You’ll Love It

• These cookies are perfect for holiday parties.
• They make great gifts in a Christmas cookie box.
• Decorating them is a fun family activity.

Pure Comfort

There’s something so comforting about baking during the holidays. The aroma of sugar cookies fills the air, and the joy of decorating them brings everyone together. Plus, who can resist a cute royal iced cookie?

What You Need

• 3 cups 3 cups all-purpose flour (360 g) – Sifted for a lighter texture.
• 1 tsp 1 tsp baking powder – Adds a little lift to the cookies.
• 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp salt – Balances the sweetness.
• 1 cup 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g) – Use room temperature butter for easy mixing.
• 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 g) – For sweetness and structure.
• 2 large 2 large eggs – Bind the ingredients together.
• 1 tsp 1 tsp vanilla extract – Adds flavor; almond extract can be used instead.
• as needed Royal icing – For decorating; can be made with powdered sugar and egg whites.

Time to Cook

Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total: 1 hour | Difficulty: Moderate | Make-Ahead: Yes, cookies can be baked ahead and decorated later.

Steps to Make It

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step helps to combine the dry ingredients and prevents clumping.
3. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks pale and airy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. The batter should be smooth and creamy.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overwork the dough.
6. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape.
7. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like Santa and candy canes.
8. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. This prevents the icing from melting and running off the cookies.
10. Once cooled, use royal icing to decorate your cookies. Get creative with colors and designs; the more festive, the better!

Make It Perfect

• If your icing is too thick, add a few drops of water to thin it out.
• For easy cleanup, use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped for decorating.
• Make sure to let the icing dry completely before stacking the cookies.

Mix It Up

• Try using different cookie shapes like stars or Christmas trees.
• Add sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle.
• Use flavored extracts like peppermint for a fun twist.

Perfect Partners

• Pair these cookies with hot cocoa for a cozy treat.
• They make a lovely addition to a holiday dessert table.
• Gift them in a decorative box for a sweet surprise.

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FAQs

Conclusion

Decorating Christmas cookies is not just about the end result; it’s about the memories you create along the way. With these Christmas themed cookie designs, you’ll have a delightful treat to share with family and friends. So grab your sprinkles and get ready to make some cute Christmas cookies!

Festive Christmas Cookie Designs Santa Candy Canes and More

These festive Christmas cookies feature fun shapes like Santa and candy canes, perfect for holiday parties and gifting. Decorating the cookies is a delightful family activity that adds joy to the baking experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 minute min

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Main

• 3 cups all-purpose flour Sifted for a lighter texture
• 1 tsp baking powder Adds a little lift to the cookies
• 1/2 tsp salt Balances the sweetness
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs Bind the ingredients together
• 1 tsp vanilla extract Adds flavor; almond extract can be substituted
• as needed Royal icing For decorating; can be made with powdered sugar and egg whites

Equipment

• Oven
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Cookie cutters

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each; then stir in vanilla extract.
5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
6. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
7. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness; use cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
8. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
9. Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating with royal icing.
10. Decorate cookies creatively using royal icing and let dry before stacking.