Spread holiday cheer with these festive and beautifully decorated Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies! Perfect for gifting, sharing with loved ones, or adding a homemade touch to your Christmas celebrations, these buttery sugar cookies come to life with royal icing, designed to resemble colorful Christmas lights. With a delightful, sweet flavor and a touch of creativity, they’re sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings.
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 large egg whites (or 2 tablespoons meringue powder + 5 tablespoons water)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Gel food coloring (red, green, blue, yellow, etc., for the Christmas lights)
For Decoration:
Piping bags with fine tips
Black icing (for string)
Toothpicks (optional, for detailing)
Directions:
Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the mixture, and stir until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Chill and Roll:
Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Use bulb-shaped cookie cutters or round cutters to create your cookies.
Bake:
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, making sure they are spaced evenly apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
Make the Royal Icing:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder mixture), and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add water, one teaspoon at a time, until the icing reaches your desired piping consistency.
Decorate the Cookies:
Divide the royal icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring, creating different colors for the “light bulbs” (red, green, blue, yellow, etc.).
Fill piping bags with the colored icing and pipe the icing onto the cookies, creating the colorful light bulbs. Leave a small border around the edges for a clean finish.
Let the icing dry for about 30 minutes before piping the black “string” using black icing to connect the lights.
For added detail, use a toothpick to refine any small elements or add extra detailing to the lights.
Set and Serve:
Allow the cookies to dry completely before serving or packaging. Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
Serving Tips:
Perfect for Gifting: These decorated cookies make a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors. Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons for a charming presentation.
Display on a Cookie Platter: Serve these cookies on a festive platter alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread or peppermint bark. Their vibrant, colorful design will be the star of any dessert spread.
Pair with Warm Drinks: These cookies are perfect with a warm beverage like hot cocoa, mulled cider, or even coffee. The sweet, buttery flavor complements these drinks wonderfully.
Serve at Holiday Parties: Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, cookie exchange, or casual gathering, these cookies will delight your guests with their festive look and delicious taste.
Storage Tips:
Keep Them Fresh: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This will help keep both the cookies and the royal icing from becoming stale.
Refrigeration: While these cookies don’t need to be refrigerated, if your home is particularly warm or if you’re making the cookies ahead of time, storing them in the fridge can help keep the royal icing firm. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing for Later: These cookies freeze well! After decorating and allowing the royal icing to dry completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature.
Separate Layers with Parchment Paper: If stacking cookies in a container, place parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent the royal icing from sticking or getting damaged.
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FAQs:
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough and freeze it for up to 3 months before baking. Simply wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed with the recipe as usual. The decorated cookies can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
Can I use store-bought icing for decorating?
While homemade royal icing offers the best results in terms of texture and design, you can use store-bought icing if you’re short on time. However, keep in mind that store-bought icing may not hold up as well for intricate piping, and the texture might differ from traditional royal icing.
How do I make sure my royal icing has the right consistency?
The royal icing should have a thick, glossy consistency for piping the “lights” and a slightly thinner consistency for flooding the cookies. If it’s too thick, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar. To test, the icing should hold its shape but settle back into the bowl after a few seconds when piped.
Can I use different shapes or cookie cutters?
Absolutely! While the recipe suggests bulb-shaped or round cookie cutters to resemble Christmas lights, feel free to use any holiday-themed cutters you have, such as stars, trees, or even gingerbread men. Just make sure to adjust the baking time if you’re using different-sized cutters.
Conclusion:
These Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for the holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party or simply enjoying a cozy night with family, these colorful, festive cookies are sure to brighten everyone’s day. The combination of buttery sugar cookies with vibrant royal icing will make them an instant holiday favorite.
📖 Recipe:
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Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chill time)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies are a festive holiday treat that combines buttery sugar cookies with vibrant royal icing to resemble colorful Christmas lights. Perfect for gifting or sharing with loved ones, these cookies are an ideal addition to any holiday celebration. Easy to decorate, they’re a fun activity for kids and adults alike. With the perfect balance of sweetness and buttery flavor, these sugar cookies are sure to be a favorite during the Christmas season.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2 large egg whites (or 2 tablespoons meringue powder + 5 tablespoons water)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Gel food coloring (red, green, blue, yellow, etc., for the “lights”)
For Decoration:
Piping bags with fine tips
Black icing (for string)
Toothpicks (optional, for detailing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. - Chill and Roll:
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a bulb-shaped cookie cutter or round cutter to cut out cookies. - Bake:
Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely before decorating. - Make the Royal Icing:
Beat powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder mixture), and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add water to reach piping consistency. - Decorate the Cookies:
Divide the icing into bowls and tint with gel food coloring. Pipe the colored icing onto the cookies to resemble light bulbs, leaving a border. Allow to dry for 30 minutes before piping the black string and connecting the lights with black icing. Use toothpicks for small detailing if needed. - Set and Serve:
Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely before serving or packaging. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
To store, keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
For long-term storage, freeze the cookies after they have been decorated and fully dried. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Make sure to allow enough drying time for each layer of royal icing before proceeding with additional decorations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treats, Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking, Decorating
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150 kcal
