In This Recipe
Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies: A Festive Decorating Guide
Ever wondered how to create those picture-perfect holiday cookies that light up Instagram feeds and family gatherings alike? Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies are the answer to your festive baking dreams! These charming treats combine buttery sugar cookies with colorful royal icing designs that mimic holiday string lights—creating edible art that’s almost too cute to eat. Whether you’re a novice baker or seasoned decorator, this complete guide will illuminate your path to creating these show-stopping holiday treats that bring Christmas cheer to every bite.
PrintChristmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies: A Festive Decorating Guide
Buttery cut-out sugar cookies decorated with bright, festive royal-icing Christmas lights for a cheerful holiday treat.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
For the royal icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
4–5 tablespoons warm water
Assorted gel food colors (red, green, blue, yellow)
Black food coloring or edible marker for the “light string”
Instructions
1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Divide dough in half, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into oval or bulb-shaped cookies.
7. Bake 8–10 minutes or until edges are barely golden; cool completely.
8. To make royal icing, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water until smooth; adjust with water or sugar for piping consistency.
9. Tint small bowls of icing with gel colors for light bulbs; leave some icing white if desired.
10. Pipe the outline of each bulb, flood with colored icing, and let dry.
11. Use black icing or an edible marker to draw the string connecting the bulbs.
12. Allow icing to fully set before stacking or packaging.
Notes
For crisp, clean edges, chill cut cookies for 10 minutes before baking.
Use thicker icing for outlining and thinner icing for flooding.
Royal icing colors deepen as they dry, so start with lighter tones.
Ingredients List
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (substitute gluten-free flour blend if needed)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature is crucial)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional, adds depth of flavor)
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6-7 tablespoons warm water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (clear vanilla for whiter icing)
- Gel food coloring (red, green, blue, yellow, and black)
- Edible gold or silver luster dust (optional for sparkle)
Timing
- Prep Time: 45 minutes (including dough chilling)
- Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
- Decorating Time: 1-2 hours (30% less if you prep icing bags in advance)
- Total Time: 3-4 hours (including setting time)
Unlike many complex cookie decorating projects that can take an entire day, these Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies can be broken into manageable stages over two days for stress-free baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add egg and extracts, mixing until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients until just incorporated. Pro tip: Avoid overmixing for the most tender cookies!
Step 2: Chill and Roll
Divide dough in half, form into discs, and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut with light bulb-shaped cutters or rectangular shapes for string lights.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are just barely golden. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. For ultra-flat cookies ideal for decorating, place another baking sheet on top while still warm.
Step 4: Prepare Royal Icing
Beat meringue powder and water until foamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing on low for 7-10 minutes until stiff peaks form. Divide icing into bowls for different colors. Save some white for “string” outlines.
Step 5: Decorate with Precision
Outline cookies with white “string” icing using a #2 piping tip. Let dry for 15 minutes. Fill piping bags with colored icing for “bulbs,” using a #3 round tip. Add small black dots where bulbs connect to the string. Apply luster dust for a glowing effect once dry!
Nutritional Information
Per cookie (approximate values):
- Calories: 175
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 18g
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
- Reduce sugar by 25% in the cookie dough without affecting texture
- Use coconut sugar in the cookie base for a lower glycemic option
- Create vegan royal icing using aquafaba instead of meringue powder
- Substitute whole wheat pastry flour for half the all-purpose flour for added fiber
- For gluten-free needs, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix with xanthan gum
Serving Suggestions
Present these Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies on a dark-colored platter to make the “lights” pop. Create a cookie garland by threading ribbon through small holes punched before baking. Pair with hot chocolate topped with peppermint whipped cream or a glass of eggnog for the ultimate holiday treat experience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping dough chilling (results in spreading)
- Making royal icing too runny (lights will bleed together)
- Rushing between colors (allow 15-30 minutes drying time)
- Decorating warm cookies (icing will melt)
- Adding too much moisture to royal icing (causes cracking when dry)
Storing Tips for the Recipe
Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Royal icing decorations remain best for display up to 3 weeks, though flavor is optimal within the first week. For gifting, stack cookies with parchment paper between layers.
Conclusion
These Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies aren’t just desserts—they’re holiday memories in the making. The combination of buttery cookies and festive decorations creates treats that will illuminate your holiday table and delight everyone who sees them. Ready to light up your holiday baking? Tag us in your creations or drop a comment below with your favorite color combinations!
FAQs
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.
Why did my royal icing not harden properly?
Royal icing needs adequate drying time (8-24 hours) and the right consistency. Too much humidity in the air can also slow drying time.
Can I use store-bought cookies if I’m short on time?
Yes! Plain store-bought sugar cookies work great as a canvas for your Christmas lights design if you’re focusing primarily on decorating.
How do I get the perfect consistency for royal icing?
For outlining, use a 15-second consistency (when a knife drawn through the icing closes in about 15 seconds). For filling, aim for a 5-8 second consistency.
What’s the best way to transport these cookies to a holiday party?
Place fully dried cookies in a single layer in a cookie tin with parchment between any layers. Avoid plastic wrap which can cause condensation and damage the designs.