Pin 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 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 Pair with hot cocoa or mulled wine for a perfect holiday touch.
Recipe Q&A
- → What ingredients enhance the holiday aroma?
Adding almond extract to the dough provides a lovely festive scent, complementing vanilla and sugar flavors.
- → How do I ensure the royal icing is the right consistency for decorating?
Beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder until thick and glossy. Adjust thickness by adding small water amounts for detailed piping or assembly glue.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling improves texture and ease of cutting shapes.
- → What is the best way to assemble the cookie display?
Use thick royal icing or edible glue to connect sleigh and reindeer cookies. Arrange decorative pieces like stars or trees inside the sleigh for a festive touch.
- → Are there alternatives to traditional decorations?
Mini pretzels can serve as sleigh runners, and assorted festive sprinkles add vibrant colors; candy canes are also an optional decorative accent.
- → How long should decorated cookies dry before handling?
Allow at least two hours for the royal icing to dry completely, ensuring decorations remain intact during display and transport.
