Quick & Jolly Holiday Ornament Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sweet holiday magic unfolds when these ornament sugar cookies dance onto your festive table.

Delicate rounds sparkle with shimmer and shine, ready to become edible decorations.

Crafted with love, each cookie tells a story of celebration and joy.

Intricate designs transform simple ingredients into miniature works of art.

Pastry decorators will find pure delight in creating these whimsical treats.

Sprinkles, edible glitter, and royal icing become your artistic tools for crafting memories.

You can turn an ordinary afternoon into a magical holiday moment with these charming cookies.

Ornament Cookies That Look Like Decorations, Taste Like Treats

• Quick and Easy Holiday Treat: Whip up these festive sugar cookies with minimal ingredients and simple steps, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Versatile Decorating Canvas: Create stunning holiday ornaments with endless creative possibilities, allowing personal artistic expression through royal icing and colorful designs.
• Perfect Family Bonding Activity: Engage kids and adults together in a fun, collaborative cookie decorating experience that sparks joy and creates lasting memories during the holiday season.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare dough in advance and chill, making these cookies convenient for busy holiday schedules and stress-free entertaining.

Holiday Ornament Cookies Ingredient Breakdown

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: Base for creating 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 cookie browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Adds delicious aromatic depth.

Decorating Ingredients:

• Powdered Sugar, Meringue Powder, Water: Creates smooth, glossy royal icing for decorating.

• Sprinkles, Food Coloring: Adds festive color and decorative touch to holiday cookies.

Decorating Holiday Ornament Sugar Cookies at Home

Step 1: Prepare Cookie Dough

Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients to form a smooth dough. Wrap the dough and refrigerate for about an hour to firm up.

Step 2: Shape Delightful Cookies

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to create ornament shapes. Arrange cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide cookies into the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn a light golden color. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to completely cool down.

Step 4: Whip Up Royal Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Meringue powder
• Water

Beat ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. Divide icing into separate bowls for different colors.

Step 5: Decorate with Festive Flair

Use piping bags to create a base layer of white icing on each cookie. Add vibrant colors and create intricate designs. Sprinkle decorative elements like edible glitter or small sugar pearls. Let cookies dry completely before storing or packaging.

Sugar Cookie Tips That Mimic Holiday Ornaments

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain crisp holiday ornament shapes during baking.
• Roll with Precision: Use powdered sugar instead of flour when rolling to keep cookie edges clean and prevent tough, dry textures.
• Control Icing Consistency: Adjust royal icing thickness by adding water (for thinner icing) or powdered sugar (for thicker decorating details).
• Prevent Cracking: Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheets before transferring to prevent breakage and maintain delicate ornament designs.
• Create Hanging Holes: Carefully poke a small hole at the top of each cookie before baking to easily thread ribbon for hanging decorative ornaments.

Store Holiday Ornament Sugar Cookies the Right Way

• Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
• Place decorated cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Keep in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 3-4 days for best taste and texture.
• Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent softening or texture changes.

Ornament Sugar Cookies Festive Companions

Festive Flavor Companions: Cookie Pairing Delights

• Warming Winter Beverage: Pair these delicate sugar cookies with spiced hot apple cider, which complements the sweet vanilla undertones and adds cozy holiday warmth.
• Complementary Tea Selection: Brew a delicate Earl Grey tea to highlight the almond extract's subtle nutty notes, creating a sophisticated cookie-and-tea experience.
• Dessert Wine Match: Select a light moscato or sweet German Riesling, whose gentle sweetness harmonizes perfectly with the sugar cookie's delicate flavor profile without overwhelming the cookie's delicate decoration.
• Milk Pairing Magic: Classic whole milk serves as the ultimate companion, providing a creamy contrast that helps balance the cookie's sugary sweetness and cleanses the palate between bites.

Ornament Sugar Cookie Holiday Designs

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Sugar Cookie Option: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select plant-based royal icing ingredients.
• Spiced Winter Variation: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dough for a warm, festive flavor profile that enhances the traditional sugar cookie recipe.
• Reduced Sugar Alternative: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and decrease the overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's classic sweetness.

FAQs

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to roll and bake.

• Do I need special equipment to decorate these cookies?

A piping bag or squeeze bottle helps create precise designs, but you can also use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off for icing application.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness for consistent baking and a tender cookie texture. Using rolling pin guide rings or wooden dowels can help achieve an even thickness.

• What's the best way to prevent cookies from spreading during baking?

Chill the cut-out cookie shapes on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before baking. This helps them maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

Holiday Ornament Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive holiday ornament sugar cookies sparkle with sweet charm and delightful decorative magic. Christmas baking becomes a joyful celebration when you craft these elegant, personalized treats that bring whimsical cheer to seasonal gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft the cookie foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel. In a separate large bowl, thoroughly cream butter and sugar until achieving a cloud-like, aerated texture.
2. Incorporate egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract into the butter mixture, blending until uniform. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet components, gently mixing until a cohesive dough materializes.
3. Partition the dough, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to firm and develop flavor complexity.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal baking environment. Retrieve chilled dough and roll out to a precise 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
5. Utilize festive cookie cutters to shape ornament-inspired circles, carefully transferring each delicate shape onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
6. Position sheets in preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges transform into a delicate golden hue. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transition to wire cooling racks.
7. Prepare royal icing by whipping powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until achieving a silky, glossy consistency. Divide icing and experiment with vibrant color variations.
8. Adorn each cookie with a smooth base layer of icing, then embellish with intricate piping, complementary colors, and sparkling sprinkles. Permit decorations to completely solidify before storing or packaging.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp ornament shapes during baking.
• Use powdered sugar instead of granulated for a smoother, more delicate royal icing texture that sets beautifully.
• Create gluten-free versions by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Roll dough between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking and ensure uniform thickness without adding extra flour.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg