Christmas Santa Cookies Recipe: A Festive Holiday Treat

Looking for the perfect holiday cookie to impress family and friends? These Christmas Santa Cookies are not only delicious but also fun to decorate with kids. This recipe is a festive companion to our holiday dessert guide, The Best 25 Easy No-Bake Christmas Desserts, bringing Santa’s spirit right to your cookie tray.

Ingredients for Christmas Santa Cookies

For about 24 cut-out Santa cookies, you’ll need:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk

For Decoration:

• Royal icing (red, white, black, and flesh-tone colors)
• Mini M&Ms (red and green for festive touch)
• Sprinkles for Santa’s hat trim
• Edible glitter (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add egg, vanilla, and milk; beat until combined.
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until dough forms.

Tip: Chill the dough for 1–2 hours. This prevents cut-out Christmas cookies from spreading.

Step 2 – Roll and Cut

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use Santa-shaped cookie cutters (or circles + knives to design Santa faces).
4. Transfer shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 3 – Bake

1. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but not browned.
2. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Step 4 – Decorate

1. Outline Santa’s hat with red royal icing; flood the area.
2. Use white icing for the beard, hat trim, and mustache.
3. Add flesh-tone icing for the face.
4. Use black icing for eyes and outline details.
5. Place an M&M for Santa’s nose or buttons.

Pro tip: Let each icing layer dry slightly before adding details to avoid colors bleeding.

Essential Tools for Perfect Santa Cookies

Having the right tools makes baking and decorating smooth and fun:

• Santa cookie cutters (faces, hats, full-body shapes)
• Piping bags with fine tips for detailed designs
• Cooling racks to avoid soggy bottoms
• Food coloring gels for vibrant red and black
• Airtight containers for storing soft, fresh cookies

Investing in these tools ensures Santa sugar cookies look as good as they taste.

Practical Tips for Success

• Chill your dough before rolling to keep sugar cookie cut-outs with frosting sharp.
• Roll evenly with spacers for consistent thickness.
• Use parchment, not greased pans, to prevent spreading.
• Decorate only when cookies are fully cooled.
• Store in airtight containers with parchment between layers.

Bonus Ideas for Christmas Santa Cookies

• M&M Studded Cookies: Press festive M&Ms into dough before baking for colorful M&M Christmas cookies.
• Glittery Santa Hats: Add edible glitter for sparkle.
• Cookie Decorating Party: Set up icing bags, sprinkles, and candies for kids to design their own holiday sugar cookies.
• Gift Box Treats: Wrap cookies in clear bags with ribbons for teacher or neighbor gifts.

Sweet Santa Cookie Magic for the Holidays

Making Christmas Santa cookies is more than just baking, it’s about creating joyful memories. Whether you decorate with kids or surprise guests with a festive cookie platter, these treats embody the holiday spirit. Don’t forget to:

• Pin this idea for later
• Share with your friends
• Bake these cookies today and make your holiday magical

FAQ: Decorating & Baking Santa Cookies