There’s something truly magical about the holiday season, and one of my favorite ways to spread that magic is by baking Christmas cookies decorated to perfection! The aroma of warm cookies filling the kitchen just brings joy, doesn’t it? Plus, decorating them is a delightful activity that gets everyone involved—kids and adults alike! It’s not just about the taste; it’s about the fun of creating edible art. I love to set out sprinkles, icing, and all sorts of festive toppings, letting my imagination run wild. These cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family, or even leaving out for Santa! Trust me, once you start making these festive treats, you won’t want to stop!
Ingredients for Christmas Cookies Decorated
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (for decorating)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for the icing)
- Food coloring (to make your decorations pop)
How to Prepare Christmas Cookies Decorated
- First things first, let’s preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is key for getting those cookies just right!
- While that’s warming up, grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This helps ensure an even rise, so don’t skip it!
- In a separate bowl, cream together your softened butter and white sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy—about 3 minutes should do the trick. You want that light, airy texture!
- Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Oh, the smell of almond extract really kicks it up a notch!
- Gradually blend in your dry ingredients. I like to do this in batches; it makes it easier to mix and helps avoid any flour clouds!
- Once your dough is mixed, roll rounded teaspoonfuls into balls and place them onto ungreased cookie sheets. Give them a little space—these cookies will spread out while baking!
- Pop them in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until they’re golden around the edges. Keep an eye on them; ovens can be tricky!
- Let them cool on wire racks—this is super important because it prevents them from getting soggy when you decorate.
- While those cookies are cooling, mix your confectioners’ sugar with milk and food coloring in a separate bowl. This will be your fabulous icing for decoration!
- Once the cookies are completely cool, let your creativity shine as you decorate them however you like! The more festive, the better!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- Festive appeal that brightens up any gathering or holiday party.
- Deliciously soft and chewy texture, with just the right amount of sweetness.
- A fun activity that brings family and friends together to create and decorate.
- Endless decorating possibilities—let your creativity run wild!
Tips for Success
To really nail these Christmas cookies decorated, here are some of my tried-and-true tips! First, make sure your butter is truly softened—this means it should be just slightly cool to the touch, not melted. Overmixing your dough can lead to tough cookies, so mix just until combined. Keep an eye on the baking time; every oven is different, and you want those edges golden but the centers still soft!
When it comes to decorating, don’t be afraid to experiment with colors and designs! Use a piping bag for more precise icing, or just a simple zip-top bag with a corner snipped off for fun swirls. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh, but I doubt they’ll last long!
Variations for Christmas Cookies Decorated
Get ready to have some fun with these Christmas cookies decorated! You can easily switch up the flavors by adding a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a refreshing twist, or even some orange zest for a citrusy kick. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try using brown sugar instead of white for a deeper caramel flavor?
For the decorations, think beyond just icing! Try drizzling melted chocolate over the cookies or topping them with crushed candy canes for a festive crunch. You can also use royal icing to create intricate designs or edible glitter to make them sparkle! The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
These delightful Christmas cookies decorated are perfect for sharing, and they pair wonderfully with a variety of festive drinks! I love serving them alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider—just imagine the cozy vibes! You can also offer them with a classic eggnog for a holiday twist. If you’re hosting a gathering, try placing them on a beautiful platter alongside some homemade fudge or peppermint bark; it creates a sweet dessert table that everyone will adore! Trust me, these cookies will be the star of your holiday spread!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Christmas cookies decorated fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just make sure they’re completely cooled before placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll stay good for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply take them out and let them thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. No need to reheat—just dive in and enjoy the festive goodness!
Nutritional Information
These Christmas cookies decorated are not only festive but also quite delightful in moderation! Each cookie has an estimated 150 calories, with 7g of fat, 1g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. They also contain around 10g of sugar and 50mg of sodium. Keep in mind that these values are based on standard ingredient brands, so actual nutrition may vary a bit. Enjoy every bite!
FAQ About Christmas Cookies Decorated
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While I always recommend using unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture, you can substitute margarine if needed. Just make sure it’s softened to the same consistency!
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can easily swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Just check that it’s a cup-for-cup replacement, and you’ll be good to go!
What’s the best way to decorate my cookies?
There are so many fun ways to decorate! You can use a piping bag for detailed designs or simply drizzle icing with a spoon. Get creative with sprinkles, candies, or even edible glitter to make them pop!
How should I store leftover cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them as mentioned earlier; they’ll taste just as delightful when thawed!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature before rolling and baking. Trust me, it makes holiday baking even easier!
Christmas Cookies Decorated: 7 Reasons to Bake Joyful Treats
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and festive cookies decorated for Christmas.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden.
- Let cool on wire racks.
- In a separate bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar with milk and food coloring for decoration.
- Decorate the cooled cookies as desired.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different colors for festive designs.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, decorated cookies, holiday treats
