Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe

There’s something truly magical about making Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe—it’s not just baking; it’s creating memories, slice by sweet slice. The warm spices paired with that soft, buttery dough bring a festive cheer that fills the kitchen and your heart. Whether you’re decorating with the kids or looking for a timeless treat to share at holiday parties, these cookies have a way of making the season even brighter.

Over the years, I’ve tried my share of sugar cookie recipes, but this one always stands out. It balances perfect sweetness with just the right hint of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, plus the icing is just dreamy—not too stiff and not too runny, making decorating a breeze. So if you want a classic, reliable Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re in the right place!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create a dough that’s easy to work with and cookies that stay soft yet hold their shape—perfect for decorating later. I usually find it best to use fresh spices and real vanilla extract for that authentic, homemade aroma.

• All purpose flour: The base that gives these cookies structure and that perfect tender crumb.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough without getting too puffy.
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of holiday spice.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness while enhancing flavor complexity.
• Ginger: Works alongside cinnamon to give those classic Christmas spice notes.
• Nutmeg: Just a pinch to boost that cozy aroma.
• Salted butter: Room temperature butter creaminess is key for mixing and flavor—I don’t recommend margarine here.
• Granulated sugar: Adds the sweet crunch and helps with cookie texture.
• Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a slight caramel undertone to the dough.
• Egg: Binds everything together and helps with the texture.
• Vanilla extract: Essential for that rich, sweet depth in the dough and the icing.
• Powdered sugar (for icing): The key to smooth, sweet frosting that’s easy to pipe or spread.
• Meringue powder: Helps stabilize the icing so it hardens beautifully—don’t skip this unless you plan to eat the icing soft.
• Water: Added gradually for perfect icing consistency.
• Pinch of salt (icing): Tones down sweetness and brings balance.

Variations

I love mixing things up depending on who I’m baking for or what kind of vibe I’m going for. You can easily personalize this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe, making it your own little festive tradition.

• Spice it up: I’ve added a bit of cardamom or allspice instead of nutmeg once, and the results were unexpected but delicious.
• Gluten-free adaptation: I swapped the flour for a gluten-free blend, doubled the xanthan gum, and it worked wonderfully for my gluten-sensitive friends.
• Vegan twist: Replaced butter with coconut oil and egg with flaxseed “egg”—not my usual, but friends loved the plant-based version.
• Colorful icing: I sometimes add natural food colors or use flavored extracts like peppermint or almond in the icing for fun.
• Simple sugar dusting: When I’m short on time, I just dust powdered sugar after baking — still festive and tasty!

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg. Mixing the spices with the flour ensures they’re evenly distributed, so every cookie gets a lovely hint of those classic holiday flavors.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars

In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is crucial; it helps create that tender texture in your cookies, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add egg and vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is just combined. If you overmix here, the cookies might get tough, so keep an eye on the texture. The dough should be smooth but not too wet or sticky.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed until you get a uniform dough. You might want to finish by hand with a spatula to avoid overworking the dough — we’re aiming for soft, not tough!

Step 5: Chill the dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight if possible. This resting time firms up the dough, which means cleaner cuts when you roll and shape your cookies—plus, it helps the flavors mellow and deepen.

Step 6: Roll and cut out shapes

Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite holiday-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Move them carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet—don’t crowd them, or they might stick together as they bake.

Step 7: Bake the cookies

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Keep a close eye on them—overbaking makes cookies hard. Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Patience here means perfectly soft cookies.

Step 8: Prepare and decorate with the icing

While cookies cool, mix your icing by combining powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, salt, and water. Add water slowly—you want a spreadable but pipeable consistency. Pour into piping bags or use a spoon to decorate. I love letting kids help with this step; it makes the whole kitchen smell festive and feels so fun!

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe

Garnishes

I usually go for tiny colored sugar crystals or nonpareils on top of the icing. They add a festive sparkle and a slight crunch that contrasts nicely with the softness of the cookie. Plus, kids love to decorate their own with sprinkles — it’s pure holiday joy.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect with a cup of hot cocoa or a spiced chai latte. When I serve them at parties, I like pairing with cheese platters and fruit — the sweet cookies balance rich and savory flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation ideas is to arrange the cookies on a festive platter layered with fresh pine sprigs or holly berries (make sure they’re just decorative!). Wrapped up in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, these also make fantastic edible gifts that everyone appreciates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe leftovers in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep the icing from sticking. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to a week if kept at room temperature. I’ve found that letting them come back to room temp after refrigeration restores that perfect bite.

Freezing

I often freeze undecorated cut-out cookies; place them on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven—no need to thaw. Alternatively, you can freeze fully decorated cookies if tightly wrapped, but keep in mind the icing may slightly dull in appearance.

Reheating

If you want to freshen up chilled or frozen cookies, a quick 5-10 seconds in the microwave (covered loosely with a damp paper towel) usually brings back some warmth and softness. Just be careful not to melt the icing!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe has been my go-to festive treat for years because it delivers both on flavor and fun. It’s more than just cookies—it’s part of the holiday ritual that brings family and friends together. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and that they fill your home with the same warmth and joy they bring mine. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and make some sweet holiday magic!

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