Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delightful treat to brighten up your holiday gatherings, the Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies bring together a tender, buttery sugar cookie base with vibrant, colorful icing that mimics the twinkling holiday lights we all adore. They’re remarkably easy to make, wonderfully customizable, and perfect for sharing with family and friends during the most joyful season of the year. Get ready to dive into a recipe that’s as cheerful as the decorations it’s inspired by!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe plays an essential role, whether it’s creating the perfect texture or adding bursts of festive color. These simple, classic ingredients come together seamlessly to make cookies that taste as good as they look.

• All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): The sturdy base that gives your cookies their perfect structure.
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft, tender bite.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a little extra lift and lightness without overpowering.
• Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Gives richness and that melt-in-your-mouth quality we crave.
• White sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the dough while helping create a slightly crisp edge.
• Egg (1): Binds everything together and adds moisture for tenderness.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dough with a warm, inviting aroma.
• Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a delicate nutty undertone that elevates the flavor.
• Powdered sugar (3 cups): The secret to smooth, glossy icing perfect for decorating.
• Milk (2 to 3 tablespoons): Adjusts the icing consistency for easy spreading or piping.
• Food coloring (assorted colors): Brings the holiday spirit to life with vibrant reds, greens, yellows, blues, and more.
• Sprinkles or edible decorative glitter (optional): Adds a sparkling finishing touch that’s pure magic.

How to Make Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to make sure your cookies slide right off and keep their beautiful shape. This step sets you up for baking success.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder together in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution so your cookies rise and bake evenly, giving just the right texture in every bite.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and white sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them until the mixture is light and fluffy — about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key to creating tender cookies with a delicate crumb.

Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is fully combined. The almond extract adds just a hint of holiday warmth that pairs perfectly with the vanilla’s sweetness.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix just until everything is incorporated; overmixing can make your cookies tough, and we want soft and melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Roll the dough into small balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Gently press each ball down with your hand or the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly. This helps achieve the perfect cookie shape for decorating.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges just start turning a lovely golden color. Let them rest for about 5 minutes on the sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare the Icing

While your cookies cool, whisk the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk in a medium bowl until smooth. If it’s too thick to pipe or spread, add milk a teaspoon at a time until it flows perfectly for decorating.

Step 9: Color Your Icing

Divide the icing into small bowls, then add your food coloring drops to create a palette of festive hues. Think bright red, cheerful green, sunny yellow, frosty blue – whatever colors spark your holiday creativity.

Step 10: Decorate Your Cookies

When the cookies are fully cooled, use piping bags or small spatulas to artfully apply the colorful icing in fun patterns resembling holiday lights. This step turns simple sugar cookies into a stunning seasonal masterpiece.

Step 11: Add Sparkle

If you’d like, sprinkle edible glitter or decorative sprinkles over the icing before it dries for that extra shimmer and sparkle that makes these cookies truly stand out.

Step 12: Let the Icing Set

Allow your decorated delights to dry completely. This keeps your artwork intact and makes them easy to stack or package as charming holiday gifts.

How to Serve Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar can add a wintery touch, but don’t hesitate to get playful with festive garnishes like crushed candy canes or mini edible pearls. These little details turn your cookies into holiday show-stoppers.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside steaming mugs of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a holiday-themed latte for an irresistible treat combination that warms the heart and the spirit.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe on a decorative platter surrounded by string lights or pine branches for a charming centerpiece. Package them in clear bags tied with ribbons for delightful homemade gifts that spread joy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover cookies fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week, perfect for savoring that festive magic over several days.

Freezing

You can freeze un-iced cookie dough balls or fully decorated cookies. For dough, freeze on baking sheets until solid, then transfer to a sealed bag. Baked and decorated cookies freeze best wrapped carefully and placed in airtight containers, keeping well for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked feel, warm cookies slightly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave as it can soften the icing or make it runny.

FAQs

Can I use a different extract if I don’t have almond extract?

Absolutely! Vanilla extract alone works beautifully, or you could try lemon or orange extract for a citrus twist. Almond adds a nutty warmth, but feel free to customize to your taste.

What if I don’t have food coloring? Can I decorate the cookies differently?

No worries! You can use natural coloring from things like beet juice, matcha powder, or turmeric, or simply dust with powdered sugar and add sprinkles for festive flair without the dyes.

How do I make sure the icing dries hard and not sticky?

Use the right consistency when mixing your icing – it should be thick enough to hold shape but spreadable. Let the decorated cookies sit in a cool, dry place for several hours or overnight to fully set.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, you can create delicious gluten-free versions. Just check the blend’s instructions for any needed adjustments.

What’s the best way to pipe the colored icing?

If you don’t have piping bags, small resealable plastic bags with a tiny corner snipped off work perfectly. It gives you control over designs and helps bring your holiday lights to life!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about baking and decorating the Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe that brings warmth, creativity, and joy into your home. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or gifting them as a token of holiday cheer, these cookies always light up the season. So roll up your sleeves, gather your colors, and get ready to make holiday memories that taste as wonderful as they look!

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