The Jolliest Christmas Present Cookies Recipe for Your Holiday

Crafting delightful christmas present cookies sparks joy during festive celebrations!

Sweet memories drift through kitchens filled with cheerful aromas.

Little hands might shape colorful dough into festive designs.

Sprinkles and icing create magical patterns resembling wrapped gifts.

Delicate sugar decorations transform simple treats into edible presents.

Baking becomes a heartwarming ritual connecting generations through shared traditions.

Gather your ingredients and let the holiday magic begin!

Cookies That Look Like Presents and Taste Like Cheer

Craft Festive Delights: Perfect Holiday Treat

• Unleash Creativity: Design stunning Christmas present cookies with endless decorating possibilities, letting your imagination run wild with colors, patterns, and embellishments.
• Zero Kitchen Stress: Simple ingredient list and straightforward steps make these cookies beginner-friendly, ensuring even novice bakers can create impressive holiday treats without feeling overwhelmed.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Transform ordinary sugar cookies into eye-catching edible gifts that will wow family and friends at holiday gatherings, parties, or as delightful homemade presents.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engage children in a fun decorating activity where they can personalize cookies, develop motor skills, and create memorable family moments while feeling proud of their artistic creations.

Christmas Present Cookies What Goes In

Main Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients: .

• Flour: Fine base for the cookie structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor.

• Powdered Sugar, Meringue Powder: Base for royal icing.
• Water: Adjusts royal icing consistency.
• Food Coloring: Creates festive cookie colors.
• Edible Glitter, Sprinkles: Adds holiday sparkle.

• Plastic Wrap: Used for dough chilling.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking.

Christmas Present Cookies Decorating Guide

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms. Split the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to firm up.

Step 2: Roll and Shape the Presents

Heat your oven to 350°F. Dust your countertop with flour and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a square cookie cutter or sharp knife to create present-shaped cookies. Carefully transfer the cookie shapes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a delicate golden color. Once done, remove and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 4: Create Magical Royal Icing

In a clean bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water, stirring until the mixture forms soft, dreamy peaks. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring to create a festive palette of colors.

Step 5: Decorate with Festive Flair

Using a piping bag, carefully outline each cookie. Let the outline set for a few minutes, then flood the cookie with colored icing. Once the base layer dries, pipe on ribbons, bows, and decorative details using contrasting colors. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle on edible glitter or festive sprinkles for an extra touch of magic.

Cookie Tips for Christmas Present-Inspired Bakes

• Chill the Dough Completely: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, clean cookie shapes during baking.
• Choose the Right Consistency for Icing: Adjust royal icing thickness by adding water or powdered sugar – thicker for outlining and thinner for flooding to create smooth, professional-looking cookies.
• Work with Cooled Cookies: Allow cookies to cool entirely before decorating to prevent icing from melting and ensure clean, precise designs that hold their shape.
• Use Piping Bag Techniques: Practice steady hand control when piping icing to create neat ribbons, bows, and details that make your Christmas present cookies look professionally decorated.
• Add Festive Flair: Sprinkle edible glitter or colored sugar while icing is wet to create a sparkling, festive finish that makes your cookies look extra special and celebratory.

Store Christmas Present Cookies Easily

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag, storing them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Keep decorated cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm cookies gently in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore slight crispness, or enjoy them at room temperature for the best texture.

Christmas Present Cookies Companions

Festive Flavor Companions: Cookie Pairings

• Sip Spiced Mulled Wine: Warmth from cinnamon and cloves perfectly complements the sweet, buttery Christmas present cookies, creating a delightful holiday flavor harmony.
• Pair with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Rich chocolate and cool mint balance the sugary cookie, enhancing the festive spirit with a classic wintertime drink.
• Match with Gingerbread Latte: Robust spices in the latte echo the cookie's delicate sweetness, providing a cozy, comforting seasonal combination that feels like a warm holiday hug.
• Enjoy with Vanilla Bean Eggnog: Creamy, smooth eggnog provides a luxurious backdrop that highlights the cookie's delicate royal icing and buttery texture.

Stocking Cookie Shape Ideas

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the festive cookie shape and flavor.
• Vegan Christmas Presents: Replace butter with coconut oil and use flax egg instead of chicken egg to create plant-based cookies that look just as delightful.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the cookie's signature texture and appearance.
• Dairy-Free Decoration: Use dairy-free margarine and plant-based milk alternatives in the royal icing to accommodate lactose-intolerant guests without compromising the cookie's festive design.

FAQs

• How difficult are these Christmas Present Cookies to make?

These cookies are beginner-friendly. With basic mixing, rolling, and decorating skills, anyone can create them. The process is straightforward and doesn’t require advanced baking techniques.

• Do I need special equipment to make these cookies?

You’ll need basic baking tools like a mixer, rolling pin, baking sheet, and piping bag. A square cookie cutter helps, but a knife works too if you want to cut shapes manually.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days. This makes holiday baking more convenient and allows the dough to firm up, which helps with rolling and cutting.

• How long will these cookies stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these decorated cookies will remain fresh for about 5-7 days. Keep them away from humidity to maintain their texture and design.

Christmas Present Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Present Cookies wrap holiday cheer in sweet, buttery packages decorated with ribbon-like icing. Delightful miniature gifts sparkle with sugary charm, promising joy in each delectable bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flavoring:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or almond extract)

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundational dough by creaming butter and sugar until light and airy, then incorporate egg and vanilla extract thoroughly.
2. Separately sift together flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure smooth ingredient integration.
3. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough develops without overmixing.
4. Partition dough into two equal portions, encase in plastic film, and chill in refrigerator for minimum 60 minutes to firm texture.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare clean work surface with light flour dusting.
6. Roll chilled dough to approximately quarter-inch thickness, ensuring uniform surface.
7. Utilize square cookie cutter or precision knife to shape present-like cookies with clean edges.
8. Transfer delicate cookie shapes onto parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining consistent spacing.
9. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges transform to soft golden hue, watching carefully to prevent overcooking.
10. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack, creating stable surface for decorative elements.
11. Prepare royal icing by combining powdered sugar and meringue powder, gradually introducing water until silky consistency emerges.
12. Separate icing into multiple containers and enhance with vibrant food coloring.
13. Use piping bag to meticulously outline cookie perimeters, allowing initial layer to set briefly.
14. Flood outlined cookies with smooth icing layer, creating polished presentation.
15. Once base layer dries, embellish with contrasting color ribbons, bows, and optional edible glitter for festive finishing touch.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the crisp present shape during baking.
• Use a sturdy royal icing that sets quickly for clean, precise decorative details on the cookie surface.
• For gluten-free variations, swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to keep the same texture and structure.
• Create uniform cookie sizes by rolling dough between parchment paper sheets and using a template for consistent present shapes.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 139
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg