Introduction
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles are the heart of holiday baking traditions. These buttery, soft, and slightly crisp cookies are rolled, cut into festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, and Christmas trees, and then decorated with bright frosting and sprinkles. Not only are they delicious, but decorating them is an activity the whole family can enjoy together — creating memories while adding a personal touch to each cookie.
Whether you’re baking them for Santa, gifting them in festive tins, or simply enjoying them with a warm cup of cocoa, these cookies are a holiday must-have.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s more than just cookies — it’s a tradition. The dough is easy to work with, holds its shape beautifully when cut, and bakes into golden, slightly chewy cookies with a hint of vanilla. But the real fun comes in decorating: piping colorful frosting, dusting on sprinkles, and making each cookie unique.
This recipe brings joy to kitchens everywhere, and no two batches ever look the same. It’s festive, creative, and perfect for bonding with family and friends during the holidays.
Why This is a Must-Try Dish
- 🎨 Creative and fun — decorating becomes part of the celebration.
- 🎅 Perfect for leaving out for Santa or gifting to loved ones.
- 🍪 The dough is sturdy yet soft, making cookies that hold their shape.
- 🕒 Can be made ahead of time and stored or frozen.
- 👨👩👧 Family-friendly — kids love helping with sprinkles and frosting.
Preparation & Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cooking Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
- Servings: About 30 cookies (depending on cutter size)
- Calories per Cookie: ~160 kcal (with frosting and sprinkles)
Cuisine & Course
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dessert / Holiday Treat
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 tsp vanilla + ½ tsp almond extract for flavor depth)
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1 tbsp light corn syrup (for shine)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, green, blue, etc.)
Decorations:
- Colorful holiday sprinkles
- Edible glitter or colored sugar (optional)
Simple Cooking Directions
- Make the cookie dough and chill for 1 hour.
- Roll dough, cut into shapes, and bake until lightly golden.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Mix frosting, divide, and color with food coloring.
- Decorate with frosting and sprinkles.
Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture until dough forms.
Step 2: Chill
- Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
- Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut into festive shapes with cookie cutters (stars, trees, snowflakes).
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just golden.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Step 5: Frost and Decorate
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
- Divide frosting into bowls and color with food coloring.
- Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies.
- Immediately add sprinkles or decorations before frosting sets.
How to Serve
- Arrange on a festive platter with hot cocoa or mulled cider.
- Wrap individually in cellophane bags with ribbons for gifting.
- Serve alongside other holiday cookies on a dessert table.
Additional Recipe Tips
- Chill dough for easier rolling and to prevent spreading.
- If frosting is too thick, add milk ½ teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Use piping bags or zip-top bags with tips cut for neater designs.
- Let frosting dry completely before stacking cookies for storage.
Variations
- Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add ½ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg to the dough.
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace ½ cup flour with cocoa powder.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Royal Icing Version: Swap frosting for royal icing if you prefer intricate designs.
Freezing & Storage
- Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days.
- Freezing:
- Undecorated cookies: Freeze up to 3 months, layered with parchment paper.
- Cookie dough: Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling.
Special Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls and hand/stand mixer
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (festive shapes)
- Baking sheets with parchment paper
- Wire cooling racks
- Piping bags or zip-top bags for frosting
Conclusion
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles are more than a recipe — they’re a holiday tradition filled with warmth, creativity, and festive fun. With buttery cookies, vibrant frosting, and cheerful decorations, these treats bring joy to any holiday table. Whether you’re baking with family, gifting friends, or saving a plate for Santa, these cookies are sure to spread Christmas cheer with every bite.
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles
Description
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Colorful Frosting and Sprinkles are the heart of holiday baking traditions. These buttery, soft, and slightly crisp cookies are rolled, cut into festive shapes like stars, snowflakes, and Christmas trees, and then decorated with bright frosting and sprinkles.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
For the Frosting:
Decorations:
Instructions
-
Step 1: Prepare the Dough : In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture until dough forms.
-
Step 2: Chill : Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
-
Step 3: Roll and Cut : Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Cut into festive shapes with cookie cutters (stars, trees, snowflakes). Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
-
Step 4: Bake : Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
-
Step 5: Frost and Decorate : Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Divide frosting into bowls and color with food coloring. Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies. Immediately add sprinkles or decorations before frosting sets.
