17 Winter Cookie Decorating Ideas for Holiday Gatherings
A delightful assortment of winter-themed sugar cookies decorated with icy blues, whites, and sparkling details for the season.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 tablespoons milk
Royal icing (white, light blue, dark blue)
Edible glitter or sanding sugar
Snowflake, mitten, and winter-themed cookie cutters
Instructions
1. Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, then add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
3. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined, then add milk to form a soft dough.
4. Chill dough for at least 1 hour.
5. Roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out winter-themed shapes.
6. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill again for 10 minutes.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, then cool completely before decorating.
8. Prepare royal icing in shades of blue and white, then outline and flood cookies.
9. Add snowflake details, dots, lines, and shimmering sugar before icing sets.
10. Allow decorated cookies to dry fully before storing or packaging.
Notes
For extra shine, sprinkle sparkling sugar over wet icing.
Use a toothpick to create fine snowflake details.
Cookies stay fresh for up to one week in an airtight container.