Christmas is the season for spreading joy, and what better way to bring a little extra cheer to the festivities than with some beautifully decorated sugar cookies? These Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing are buttery, soft, and the perfect canvas for your most creative holiday designs! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting into the Christmas spirit, this recipe is foolproof and guaranteed to impress your friends and family.
In this guide, we will walk you through every step of the process, from preparing the dough to decorating the cookies. Ready to create some gorgeous cookies that everyone will love? Let’s get started!
What Is Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing?
Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts are delicate, buttery cookies that are perfect for cutting into festive shapes like Christmas trees, snowflakes, or stars. When paired with Royal Icing, these cookies transform into edible works of art! Royal icing is a sweet, smooth glaze that hardens as it dries, making it ideal for detailed cookie decorations. The combination of the soft, sweet cookie and the crisp, colorful icing creates a delightful treat that is as fun to make as it is to eat!
Origin of the Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
Sugar cookies are believed to have originated in Germany in the early 1700s, and they quickly spread to the United States through European immigrants. Over time, sugar cookies became a Christmas staple, with people using cookie cutters to create festive shapes and decorating them with icing, especially around the holiday season. The recipe we’re using today is inspired by classic sugar cookies, with a royal icing twist to give them that special holiday flair.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, but gives that classic bakery flavor)
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp meringue powder (or 1 egg white if not using meringue powder)
- 5–6 tbsp warm water (adjust for consistency)
- ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)
- Gel food coloring for decorating
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Don’t overwork the dough!
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each portion into discs, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
2. Cut and Bake the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, snowflakes, trees, and more.
- Transfer the cookies to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake!
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
3. Make the Royal Icing
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water.
- Beat the mixture on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until it becomes thick and smooth.
- If you need a flooding consistency (for filling in the cookies), add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.
- If you want thicker icing for outlines and details, keep it as is.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls, then add gel food coloring to each bowl to create different shades for decorating.
- Transfer the icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips (or use zip-top bags with the tips of the corners snipped).
4. Decorate the Cookies!
- Begin by outlining your cookies with the thick royal icing.
- Once the outline is set, use the thinner icing to flood the inside of the shapes.
- Spread the icing evenly using a toothpick, and pop any air bubbles that form.
- If you want to add extra flair, sprinkle on edible glitter, sanding sugar, or sprinkles before the icing hardens.
- Let the decorated cookies dry at room temperature for 4–6 hours (or overnight) until the icing is fully set.
Tips & Variations
- Add orange zest to the dough for a light citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the sugar cookies.
- If you prefer soft cookies, be sure not to overbake them; remove them from the oven while the centers are still pale.
- Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freeze undecorated cookies in a single layer for up to 2 months. Thaw before icing and decorating.
Fun Decorating Ideas
- Green Christmas trees with red ornaments and gold stars
- Snowflakes dusted with silver sprinkles
- Santa faces with rosy cheeks
- Candy cane stripes in red and white
- Gold dust or edible pearls for a touch of luxury
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I freeze sugar cookie dough?
Yes! You can freeze the sugar cookie dough for up to 2 months. Simply wrap the dough in plastic wrap, place it in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze. Thaw in the fridge before rolling out and cutting into shapes.
2. How do I prevent the dough from spreading too much during baking?
To prevent spreading, make sure the dough is chilled for at least 1 hour before baking. Also, don’t skip the step of using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, as it helps prevent sticking and spreading.
3. Can I use store-bought icing?
Yes, if you’re short on time or don’t want to make your own royal icing, you can use store-bought icing. However, homemade royal icing will give you a firmer texture that is better for decorating and setting.
4. How long does royal icing take to dry?
Royal icing typically takes 4–6 hours to dry completely, but if you want to speed up the process, you can let the cookies dry overnight.
Conclusion
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing are the perfect way to celebrate the season. With buttery cookies and festive, colorful decorations, these treats will surely bring smiles to everyone’s face. Whether you’re baking alone or with loved ones, this recipe is simple to follow and always yields fantastic results. Get creative with your designs, and let the holiday cheer shine through your cookies!
Enjoy your baking, and remember – no matter how your cookies turn out, they’ll always be sweet and delicious! Happy holidays!
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing: A Festive and Foolproof Recipe
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts are delicate, buttery cookies that are perfect for cutting into festive shapes like Christmas trees, snowflakes, or stars. When paired with Royal Icing, these cookies transform into edible works of art! Royal icing is a sweet, smooth glaze that hardens as it dries, making it ideal for detailed cookie decorations. The combination of the soft, sweet cookie and the crisp, colorful icing creates a delightful treat that is as fun to make as it is to eat!
Ingredients
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (optional, but gives that classic bakery flavor)
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Don’t overwork the dough!
Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each portion into discs, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
2. Cut and Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, snowflakes, trees, and more.
Transfer the cookies to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake!
Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
3. Make the Royal Icing
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water.
Beat the mixture on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until it becomes thick and smooth.
If you need a flooding consistency (for filling in the cookies), add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.
If you want thicker icing for outlines and details, keep it as is.
Divide the icing into separate bowls, then add gel food coloring to each bowl to create different shades for decorating.
Transfer the icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips (or use zip-top bags with the tips of the corners snipped).
4. Decorate the Cookies!
Begin by outlining your cookies with the thick royal icing.
Once the outline is set, use the thinner icing to flood the inside of the shapes.
Spread the icing evenly using a toothpick, and pop any air bubbles that form.
If you want to add extra flair, sprinkle on edible glitter, sanding sugar, or sprinkles before the icing hardens.
Let the decorated cookies dry at room temperature for 4–6 hours (or overnight) until the icing is fully set.
Notes
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing are festive, fun, and perfect for holiday decorating! You can experiment with different shapes, colors, or add sprinkles and edible glitter to make them extra cheerful.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking, Decorating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
Keywords: Holiday Sugar Cookies, Festive Sugar Cookies, Christmas Cookie Recipe, Royal Icing Cookies
