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
