Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe is one of those cozy traditions I look forward to every holiday season. There’s something so charming about rolling out the dough, cutting festive shapes, and then decorating them with icing that really brings out the holiday spirit. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between soft, buttery cookies and sweet, smooth icing that’s just begging to be enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa.

What makes this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe stand out to me is how approachable it is—no complicated ingredients or tricky techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned cookie baker or trying this for the first time, you’ll find the steps doable and the results absolutely delightful. Plus, decorating the cookies can be a whole family affair, which really makes the holidays feel special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe come together effortlessly, creating that classic holiday flavor with a cozy spice hint. When shopping, try to use fresh spices for the best aroma, and grab room temperature butter for easier mixing.

All-purpose flour: The base of your cookie dough; sift it to avoid lumps and achieve a tender crumb.
Baking powder: Helps your cookies rise lightly without making them cakey.
Cinnamon: Adds a warm, festive note essential to holiday cookies.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ginger: A subtle spicy kick that’s perfect for Christmas baking.
Nutmeg: Just a dash for that authentic holiday spice blend.
Salted butter: Room temperature butter creates a smooth dough and adds richness.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness and a bit of crisp texture.
Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor.
Egg: Binds your dough and helps with structure.
Vanilla extract: Makes the cookie flavor pop with warmth.
Powdered sugar (for icing): Gives the icing that silky, sweet finish.
Meringue powder: Stabilizes the icing and helps it dry firm—important if you’re stacking or transporting cookies.
Water: To get the icing to just the right consistency.
Pinch of salt (for icing): Balances sweetness so your icing isn’t cloying.

Variations

While I stick close to this classic Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe, I love switching things up now and then. Personalizing your cookies with flavors or decorating styles can make baking even more fun and unique.

Flavor Twist: Sometimes I add a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla for a different aroma, and it’s delicious.
Gluten-free option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a reliable gluten-free blend; just watch the dough texture since it might feel a bit different.
Spice it up: You could increase the spices slightly if you love bold holiday flavors like extra cinnamon or ginger.
Colorful icing: Food coloring gels work wonders here—I’ve found kids love helping with vibrant red, green, and white icing designs.
Texture tweak: For crunchier cookies, bake them a minute or two longer—but don’t let them brown too much!

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a bowl. Taking the time to combine these thoroughly ensures the spices are evenly distributed so every cookie has that perfect hint of holiday warmth. I usually sift the mixture once to keep things smooth—no surprise lumps in your dough!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a separate large bowl, beat your room temperature salted butter with granulated and brown sugar until fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is crucial because it helps create a tender but sturdy cookie texture. Don’t rush it — patience here really pays off.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything’s well combined. The egg brings your dough together, and the vanilla enhances the flavors beautifully. Be careful not to overbeat now, or the dough might end up a bit too soft.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed until just combined. You want to avoid overmixing here so your cookies stay tender. When the dough looks uniform and a little sticky, that’s your cue to stop.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

This is a step you won’t want to skip. Wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, or even overnight if you can plan ahead. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut into those classic Christmas shapes. Trust me, your cookie cutters will thank you!

Step 6: Roll, Cut, and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll your chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite festive cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges just start to brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking—they should be soft but set.

Step 7: Prepare the Icing

While your cookies cool, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, salt, vanilla extract, and water to make your icing. Add water gradually—you want a smooth, pipeable consistency. I like to separate the icing into small bowls to tint with food coloring. This icing dries firm, perfect for stacking or gifting.

Step 8: Decorate and Enjoy

Once cookies are completely cool, pipe or spread the icing over your shapes. This is where your creativity shines! I love using piping bags and tips for precision but you can also use a small knife or toothpick for spreading details. Give the icing some time to dry, then admire your festive creations before enjoying.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe

The image shows seven white dishes arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. The largest dish holds a big pile of white flour with a powdery texture. To the top right, a smaller dish contains a single brown egg, smooth and oval. Below the egg, another dish has a square piece of pale yellow butter, with soft edges. On the bottom left, a slightly bigger dish holds three rectangular slices of creamy yellow butter. Next to it, a small dish is filled with brown sugar, granular and loose. Above the sugar, a small dish of white granulated sugar shines with a slightly rough texture. At the bottom right, two small dishes contain dark brown liquid, likely vanilla extract, and fine white powdered sugar, fluffy and light. The setup is clean and organized, and the photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to add little edible sparkles or colored sugar to the icing before it dries—it adds that extra holiday magic. Sometimes, especially for cookie exchanges, I sprinkle crushed peppermint candies for a festive crunch that everyone loves. These small touches really elevate the cookies without added fuss.

Side Dishes

These Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe pairs beautifully with a warm mug of spiced cider or hot chocolate. If you want to get really festive, serve alongside a cheese and fruit platter. The sweet cookies balance out the savory flavors, making your holiday spread even more inviting.

Creative Ways to Present

For party presentation, I love arranging cookies in a circular pattern on a festive platter with fresh evergreen sprigs for color. Wrapping individual cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon also makes charming favors. At one holiday bake-off, I packed them in cookie tins lined with parchment—so much fun to personalize packaging!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. If the icing is fully dried, they last well for up to a week. For extra freshness, I layer them between sheets of wax paper to avoid sticking. This way, you can still enjoy them days later without them getting too soft.

Freezing

One trick I’ve learned is freezing the cookie dough after it’s been chilled but before cutting. You can portion it into discs, wrap well, and freeze for up to 3 months—super convenient for holiday prep! Alternatively, baked and fully iced cookies freeze well too; just separate layers with parchment to keep decorations intact.

Reheating

Since these are cookies, I usually enjoy them as-is without reheating. But if you want a freshly-baked warm feel, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10 seconds or so to soften. Avoid longer microwaving as it can make the icing weepy. A quick warm bite with cold milk? Yes, please!

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be made and chilled up to 3 days ahead, or frozen for longer storage. The cookies themselves, once baked and decorated, keep well in an airtight container for about a week. Just be sure the icing is completely dry before storing to prevent sticking.
What if I don’t have meringue powder for the icing?

If you can’t find meringue powder, you can substitute with a small amount of egg white, but keep in mind it affects shelf life and food safety, especially if storing the cookies for more than a day. Meringue powder helps the icing dry hard and stable, so it’s ideal for decorating and stacking cookies.
How do I get the icing perfect for piping?

Start by adding water slowly to the powdered sugar and meringue powder mixture—too much water and the icing will be too runny. You want it thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to pipe smoothly. You can always thin with a tiny extra water or thicken with more powdered sugar as needed.
Can I use this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe for cookie cutters other than Christmas shapes?

Definitely! The dough is versatile and works great for any cookie shape whether it’s hearts, stars, or simple circles. The icing pairs well with all sorts of decorations, so feel free to use your favorite cookie cutters year-round.
What’s the best way to avoid cookies spreading too much?

Chilling the dough thoroughly before rolling and cutting is key. Also, make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Baking cookies on parchment paper or a silicone mat helps them keep their shape. Lastly, watch the bake time closely to prevent over-spreading.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe has brought so many joyful moments to my holiday season, and I’m confident you’ll feel the same. It’s versatile, comforting, and deliciously festive—a perfect treat to share with family and friends or to gift from your kitchen. So grab your rolling pin, dust off those cookie cutters, and enjoy making memories as you bake these lovely cookies together.