Nothing captures the holiday spirit quite like baking and decorating festive treats. These Santa Suit Sugar Cookies combine buttery sweetness with vibrant royal icing for a delicious and visually stunning addition to your holiday celebrations. Whether youâre hosting a party, participating in a cookie swap, or just craving some holiday fun, this recipe is sure to delight!
Ingredients đ
For the Sugar Cookies:
1 cup of softened, unsalted butter
measure out 1 cup of granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp meringue powder
4-5 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
Red gel food coloring
For Decoration:
Red sanding sugar
White sanding sugar
Pink and black nonpareils (for cheeks and eyes)
Small red candies or mini M&Ms (for Santaâs nose)
Piping bags and small round piping tips
Directions đ
Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookies
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix well until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix this into the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
Divide the dough into two portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
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 about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use Santa face or round cookie cutters to cut shapes, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Prepare the Royal Icing
In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat until smooth and pipeable.
Divide the icing into two portions. Tint one portion red using gel food coloring.Transfer the red and white icings into piping bags fitted with small round tips.
Step 4: Decorate the Cookies
Santaâs Hat: Outline and fill the top portion of each cookie with red icing. Sprinkle with red sanding sugar and let set.
Beard and Hat Trim: Use white icing to outline and fill the beard and the trim of Santaâs hat. Sprinkle with white sanding sugar while the icing is still wet. Allow to set completely.
Santaâs Face: Leave the center of the cookie bare for Santaâs face. Use pink nonpareils for cheeks, black nonpareils for eyes, and a small red candy or mini M&M for Santaâs nose. Use small dots of white icing as âglueâ to attach these decorations.
Add any final details, like a smile or rosy cheeks, with red icing. Allow the cookies to dry completely before serving or packaging.
Tips for Success â
Chilling the Dough: This step is essential to prevent the cookies from spreading while baking.
Consistency Matters: Adjust the royal icing consistency with small amounts of water to ensure it flows smoothly but holds its shape.
Creative Designs: Add extra flair with edible glitter or customize colors to match your holiday theme.
Serving Suggestions and Storage đ
These cookies make a delightful centerpiece for holiday dessert tables.
Pack them in festive boxes or cellophane bags for thoughtful gifts.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Why These Santa Suit Sugar Cookies Are a Must-Try
These cookies are more than just a treatâtheyâre an experience. Whether youâre decorating with kids or indulging your artistic side, these cookies bring people together. Their classic sugar cookie base paired with the festive icing ensures both taste and presentation are top-notch.
Get ready to wow your guests or share the joy with loved ones! With easy-to-follow steps and customizable decorations, these cookies are the perfect way to spread holiday cheer.
Decorating Variations for Santa Suit Sugar Cookies
The beauty of these festive cookies lies in their versatility. While the Santa suit design is undeniably charming, you can mix things up by incorporating additional creative ideas.
1. Santaâs Helpers (Elf Cookies)
Use green gel food coloring for the royal icing to create elf-inspired cookies.
Replace the red sanding sugar with green sanding sugar for the hat.
Add gold nonpareils or small edible stars for embellishments, mimicking elf bells.
2. Winter Wonderland Theme
Skip the Santa design and use snowflake cookie cutters instead.
Decorate the cookies with white royal icing and sprinkle with white sanding sugar or edible glitter for a frosty look.
3. Reindeer Cookies
Use brown icing to create reindeer faces. Add small pretzel halves as edible antlers.
Use black nonpareils for the eyes and a red candy for Rudolphâs nose.
4. Personalized Santa Suits
Pipe names or holiday messages onto the Santa suit area using white icing.
Add edible pearls or glitter for an elegant touch.
These variations let you tailor the cookies to different holiday celebrations or themes, making them even more enjoyable to create and share.
Pairing Ideas: Make It a Feast of Festive Flavors
Pairing your Santa Suit Sugar Cookies with other holiday treats can elevate your dessert table. Here are some pairing ideas that complement these buttery delights:
1. Hot Chocolate Bar
Offer a variety of hot chocolate options, including classic, peppermint, and white chocolate flavors.
Add a topping station with marshmallows, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes.
2. Mulled Cider or Wine
The spiced warmth of mulled cider or wine pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cookies.
Serve these drinks in clear mugs for a cozy, holiday aesthetic.
3. Mini Dessert Platters
Combine your Santa cookies with mini gingerbread men, peppermint bark, and chocolate-dipped pretzels.
Use festive plates or trays to create a visually appealing spread.
4. Cheese and Fruit Boards
Pairing sweet and savory is always a hit. Create a board with aged cheddar, brie, grapes, and dried apricots to balance the sugary cookies.
By pairing the cookies with complementary treats, you can create a memorable holiday dessert experience that caters to all taste buds.
Packaging and Gifting Ideas
These cookies are perfect for gifting. With some creative packaging, you can turn them into thoughtful, handmade presents.
1. Cookie Gift Boxes
Use festive cardboard boxes or tin containers lined with parchment paper.
Arrange the cookies neatly and add a small holiday card or ribbon for an extra-special touch.
2. Cellophane Bags
Place a few cookies in a clear cellophane bag.
Tie the bag with a holiday-themed ribbon and attach a tag with a cheerful message.
3. Mason Jar Kits
Stack the cookies in a mason jar, layering with festive wax paper or parchment sheets.
Add a decorative lid and label for a rustic, homemade feel.
4. Party Favors
Wrap individual cookies in small bags and place them at each guestâs seat as a party favor.
Add a thank-you tag or personalized note for added warmth.
Troubleshooting Common Baking Issues
Sometimes, even the best bakers face challenges. Hereâs how to troubleshoot some common problems:
1. Dough Too Sticky
If your dough feels sticky, it may be too warm. Chill it for an additional 15-20 minutes before rolling.
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
2. Cookies Spread Too Much
This could be due to the butter being too soft. Ensure your dough is chilled adequately before baking.
Avoid overworking the dough, as this can warm it up and alter the texture.
3. Icing Doesnât Set Properly
If your royal icing is too runny, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.
Allow cookies to dry in a cool, dry area. High humidity can delay drying times.
Expert Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies
1. Master the Dough
Always start with softened butter, not melted. This ensures the perfect cookie texture.
Measure your flour accurately. Too much flour can make the dough crumbly.
Chill the dough thoroughly before rolling. Chilled dough not only prevents spreading but also makes it easier to handle.
2. Bake Like a Pro
For evenly baked cookies, roll the dough to an even thickness. Use rolling pin guides or spacers for precision.
Keep an eye on the baking time. Remove cookies from the oven as soon as the edges turn light golden to avoid overbaking.
3. Nailing the Royal Icing Consistency
Flooding Consistency: Add small amounts of water to create a smooth flow that fills cookie surfaces easily.
Detail Consistency: Ensure your icing is thick enough to hold its shape for outlines and intricate designs.
Keep a damp cloth over your icing bowl to prevent it from drying out during use.
Advanced Decorating Techniques
If youâve mastered the basics, try these advanced techniques to take your Santa Suit Sugar Cookies to the next level.
1. Wet-on-Wet Icing Technique
Apply a base layer of icing, then immediately pipe small dots or lines of a contrasting color while itâs still wet.
Use a toothpick to create patterns, like swirls or hearts, by dragging it through the designs.
3 Ways to Decorate Cookies with Wet-On-Wet Royal Icing
2. Textured Details
Use a small star piping tip to create fluffy textures, like Santaâs beard or hat trim.
Add dimension by layering icing. Allow the base to dry before piping on raised details.
3. Airbrushing
If you have an airbrush tool, lightly spray edible shimmer or color gradients onto the cookies for a professional touch.
Use stencils to create intricate designs like snowflakes or stars.
4. 3D Elements
Roll fondant or gum paste to craft small 3D accents, like Santaâs hat pompom or buttons.
Attach these elements with a small dab of royal icing.
5. Hand-Painted Designs
Mix gel food coloring with a few drops of vodka or lemon extract to create edible paint.
Use fine brushes to add delicate details, like Santaâs rosy cheeks or snowflakes on his hat.
Final Thoughts on Santa Suit Sugar Cookies
Creating Santa Suit Sugar Cookies is more than just bakingâitâs about celebrating the season, fostering creativity, and sharing joy. With expert tips, advanced decorating techniques, and fun traditions, you can make these cookies the highlight of your holiday celebrations.
Whether youâre a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe ensures that every batch is not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. Dive into the magic of holiday baking and let these cookies bring warmth and cheer to your festivities.