Pin this A festive and whimsical assortment of sugar cookies shaped and decorated to resemble Santas sleigh, reindeer, and holiday accents—perfect as a centerpiece for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies: 2 ½ cups (315 g) all purpose flour, ¾ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- For the Royal Icing: 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar sifted, 2 large egg whites or 4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp water, ½ tsp vanilla extract, Gel food coloring red, green, brown, yellow, black, white
- For Decoration & Assembly: Edible gold or silver sprinkles, Mini pretzels (for sleigh runners optional), Mini candy canes (optional), Assorted festive sprinkles, Edible glue or a small amount of royal icing (for assembly)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 3:
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract mix until combined.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, mixing just until dough forms. Divide dough in half, form into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 5:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness. Use sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, and tree cookie cutters to cut shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
- Step 6:
- Bake 10 12 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
- Step 7:
- Prepare royal icing: Beat powdered sugar and egg whites (or meringue powder mixture) on low speed until thick and glossy (about 5 minutes). Add vanilla, then divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- Step 8:
- Decorate cooled cookies with colored royal icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Pipe details onto sleigh, reindeer, Santa, and accents. Let icing dry completely (at least 2 hours).
- Step 9:
- For the display, arrange sleigh cookies at the center of a platter. Place reindeer in front, connecting with icing or edible glue. Fill sleigh with tree/star cookies or mini candies. Use mini pretzels or candy canes as sleigh runners, attaching with icing if desired.
Pin this Required Tools
Electric mixer, Rolling pin, Holiday cookie cutters (sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, tree), Baking sheets & parchment paper, Piping bags and small tips for decorating, Spatula
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter). Some decorations may contain nuts or soy always check labels if you have allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 110, Total Fat: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 1 g
Pin this Enjoy this festive cookie display that brings joy and holiday spirit to your gatherings.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients make the sugar cookies tender?
Using softened butter and granulated sugar beaten until fluffy helps create a tender, light texture in the cookies.
- → How is the royal icing prepared and colored?
Beat powdered sugar and egg whites until thick and glossy, then divide and tint with gel food coloring for vibrant decoration.
- → Can the dough be chilled before shaping?
Yes, chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps firm it up for easier rolling and precise cutting of shapes.
- → What’s a good method to assemble the decorated cookies into a display?
Thick royal icing or edible glue works well as an adhesive to connect cookie pieces for a stable holiday centerpiece.
- → Are there tips for decorating detailed holiday shapes?
Use piping bags with small tips and a steady hand to pipe intricate icing details and accents, enhancing the festive look.