There’s something magical about Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments that turns my kitchen into a winter wonderland every December. I still remember the first time my grandma let me decorate them as a kid, flour everywhere, icing smudged on my nose, and that proud moment when we hung my lopsided snowman on the tree. These aren’t just cookies, they’re edible memories! The buttery scent filling your home, the glitter of sprinkles catching the twinkle lights, and the joy of creating something beautiful with your hands, that’s the real holiday spirit baked right in.
What makes these cookies so special is how they bring people together. Whether you’re hosting a cookie decorating party with friends or surprising neighbors with homemade treats, these sturdy little masterpieces hold their shape beautifully for detailed designs. And let’s be honest, sneaking a bite while you work is half the fun! My secret? A touch of almond extract in the icing makes them taste like Christmas morning.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments
These aren’t just any holiday cookies; they’re little edible works of art that bring so much joy! Here’s why they’ve been my Christmas staple for years:
- Easy decorating magic: The sturdy dough holds crisp edges for snowflakes, trees, and stars that actually look like the shapes you cut
- Memory makers: Kids go wild for decorating (and adults too, I won’t tell if you eat more sprinkles than you put on cookies)
- Gifts that wow: Package them in clear bags with ribbon, and suddenly you’re the most popular person on the block
- Versatile canvas: Go simple with classic white icing or get creative with food coloring. I once did a whole Nutcracker ballet company!
Trust me, once you start making these, it won’t feel like Christmas without them.
Ingredients for Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these holiday treasures. I’ve learned through many Christmases that quality ingredients make all the difference with these cookies!
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This means it should dent when pressed but not be greasy or melted. I leave mine out for 30 minutes before starting.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Plain white sugar makes the cookies crisp yet tender.
- 1 large egg: That’s about 3 tablespoons if you’re using farm-fresh eggs of varying sizes.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: The real stuff, not imitation, it makes a noticeable difference.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level it to avoid dense cookies.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Helps them rise just enough without losing their shape.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly.
For the icing that makes them shine:
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sift it if it’s lumpy for smooth icing.
- 2 tbsp milk: Whole milk makes the creamiest icing.
- 1/2 tsp almond extract: My secret flavor booster that makes people ask, “What is that amazing taste?”
- Food coloring: Gel colors work best for vibrant hues without thinning the icing.
- Sprinkles: The more the merrier! I keep an assortment of holiday colors on hand.
Equipment You’ll Need
Gathering your tools before starting makes the whole cookie decorating process so much smoother. Here’s what I always have ready on my counter:
- Stand mixer or hand mixer: For creaming that butter and sugar to perfection
- Rolling pin: My wooden one has seen more Christmases than I can count
- Holiday cookie cutters: The more shapes, the merrier!
- Parchment paper: No sticking and easy cleanup
- Cooling racks: Essential for letting icing set properly
- Small bowls and piping bags: For all your colorful icing creations
That’s it! With these basics, you’re ready to make cookie magic happen. If you are looking for other fun holiday recipes, check out some ideas over at familytastes.com.
How to Make Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments
Now for the fun part! Making these cookies is like conducting a sweet little symphony; each step builds on the last to create something magical. I’ll walk you through my foolproof method that’s never let me down.
Preparing the Dough
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. In your mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 minutes with a stand mixer. This is where the magic starts! Add the egg and vanilla, mixing just until combined.
In another bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to your butter mixture on low speed. Watch closely, you want to stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together. Overmixing makes tough cookies, and we want these babies tender! The dough should feel like Play-Doh when it’s perfect.
Cutting and Baking the Cookies
Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Too thin, and they’ll break when hanging; too thick, and they won’t crisp properly. Use your favorite holiday cutters, pressing straight down without twisting, which keeps the edges sharp. Here’s my pro tip: use a straw to poke holes for hanging ribbons before baking!
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start turning golden. They’ll seem soft but firm up as they cool on the rack. Let them cool completely before decorating. Patience is key here, or your icing will melt right off! For more baking inspiration, you might enjoy looking at recipes for chai spiced sugar cookies.
Decorating Your Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments
For the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Divide into bowls and tint with gel food coloring. I like using small piping bags with tiny tips for outlining, then flooding with thinner icing. Sprinkle immediately for maximum stickage!
Let your decorated cookies dry completely, about 4 hours, before stacking or hanging. The waiting is the hardest part, but it’s worth it when you see your edible masterpieces twinkling on the tree!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments
After years of making these holiday treasures, I’ve picked up some tricks that guarantee cookie success every time. First, if your dough feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Chilled dough holds its shape beautifully when cutting. And here’s my golden rule: underbake slightly! The cookies should look set but pale when you take them out; they’ll firm up as they cool into that perfect texture.
For decorating, work in small batches with your icing colors to prevent drying out. Store sprinkles in salt shakers; it makes sprinkling so much easier for little hands. And if you’re gifting them, wait until the icing is completely dry before stacking, or you’ll have colorful smears instead of pretty designs! If you are looking for other festive treats, consider trying candy cane sugar cookie skewers.
Variations for Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments
Want to mix things up? Try adding 1 tsp orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist that pairs beautifully with the almond icing. For cozy spice lovers, mix in 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg. Feeling fancy? A tablespoon of eggnog instead of milk in the icing tastes like Christmas in every bite!
Storing and Gifting Your Cookies
Nothing beats seeing your Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments sparkle on someone’s tree or watching faces light up when you give them as gifts! For storage, I swear by airtight containers with parchment between layers; they’ll stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature. If you’re gifting them, clear cellophane bags with pretty ribbons make them look bakery-fancy. My personal touch? Tying on handwritten tags with baking twine, it’s those little details that make homemade gifts extra special. For more gifting ideas, check out almond crusted chicken bites.
Nutritional Information
Now, I’ll be honest, these Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments are pure holiday joy, not health food! The nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on how generous you are with the icing and sprinkles (and who isn’t generous during Christmas?). Keep in mind that these numbers are rough estimates since cookie sizes and decorations differ.
As with any homemade treat, the exact nutritional content changes based on your specific ingredients and portions. The dough itself is a classic sugar cookie base, while the icing adds extra sweetness. If you’re watching certain dietary needs, you can find sugar substitutes and gluten-free flour blends that work well with this recipe.
Most important? These cookies are meant to be savored in moderation as part of your holiday celebrations. After all, nothing beats biting into one of your own beautifully decorated creations while admiring them on the tree!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many great questions about these Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments! Here are the ones that come up most often:
Can I freeze the cookie dough for later?
Absolutely! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling, it actually helps prevent spreading during baking. I always make extra dough in November to beat the holiday rush!
How long will decorated cookies stay fresh?
Properly stored in an airtight container, they’ll keep their texture for about a week at room temperature. The icing acts as a barrier, keeping them surprisingly fresh. After that, they’re still safe to eat but might lose some crispness.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You bet! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture will be slightly different, but they’ll still hold their shape beautifully for decorating.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Usually, this means your butter was too soft or the dough wasn’t chilled enough. I like to chill my cutouts for 10 minutes before baking, it makes all the difference for sharp edges!
Can I use royal icing instead?
Of course! Royal icing dries harder, which is great for packing. Just know it won’t have that lovely almond flavor from my recipe. Either way, your tree will look delicious!
I’d absolutely love to see your Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments in all their decorated glory! Snap a photo of your cookie masterpieces. Nothing makes me happier than seeing families creating sweet memories together. Who knows, your design might just inspire next year’s batch in my kitchen!
Print
Magical Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Ornaments in 3 Easy Steps
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive Christmas frosted sugar cookie ornaments that are perfect for decorating your tree or gifting. These cookies are sweet, buttery, and hold their shape well for detailed designs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar, for icing
- 2 tbsp milk, for icing
- 1/2 tsp almond extract, for icing
- Food coloring, as desired
- Sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture until a smooth dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
- For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Divide and tint with food coloring if desired.
- Decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles. Let dry before hanging or packaging.
Notes
- Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before rolling and baking.
- For sturdier ornaments, roll dough slightly thicker.
- Use a straw to poke holes for hanging before baking.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg