Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking to brighten up your holiday season with a fun, festive treat, the Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe is just what you need. These charming cookies bring together a tender sugar cookie base that’s perfectly buttery and sweet, paired with vibrant, colorful icing that mimics glowing holiday lights. The combination of soft texture and decorative sparkle will make these cookies the centerpiece of any holiday gathering, perfect for sharing with friends, family, or even leaving out for Santa. Get ready to bake, decorate, and enjoy a cookie tradition that feels both classic and joyfully bright.

Ingredients You’ll Need

While the ingredient list is simple, each component plays a crucial role in making these cookies absolutely delightful—from the fluffy texture of the dough to the colorful, glossy icing that shines like real holiday lights.

• All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): The foundation of your cookies, ensuring they’re tender but firm enough to hold their shape when baked.
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly for a light texture without spreading too much.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Works with baking soda to give the perfect soft crumb.
• Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Adds rich flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth softness.
• White sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the cookies and aids in that slight crisp around the edges.
• Egg (1): Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s chewy interior.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Gives a warm, comforting aroma and depth of flavor.
• Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, festive hint that complements the sugar cookie base wonderfully.
• Powdered sugar (3 cups): Essential for creating the smooth, sweet icing that decorates the cookies.
• Milk (2 to 3 tablespoons): Adjusts the icing to just the right consistency for piping or spreading.
• Food coloring: Choose your favorite festive colors like red, green, yellow, and blue to make the “lights” truly shine.
• Sprinkles or edible decorative glitter (optional): For that final touch of sparkle and holiday magic.

How to Make Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and never stick, making cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. This pre-mixing of dry ingredients will help you incorporate them smoothly into the wet ingredients later, avoiding lumps and ensuring a uniform cookie texture.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter with the white sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This typically takes 2 to 3 minutes, and it’s the secret behind a tender cookie that melts in your mouth.

Step 4: Add Flavors

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is thoroughly combined. The almond extract adds a subtle but unforgettable note—it’s what makes these cookies feel special and perfect for the holidays.

Step 5: Mix Dough

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated. Avoid mixing too much here to keep the cookies tender and light.

Step 6: Shape Cookies

Roll the dough into small balls and space them about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined sheets. Press each ball down slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm to create a flat surface that bakes evenly and is perfect for decorating.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Completely cooled cookies give your icing the perfect chance to stick without melting away.

Step 8: Make the Icing

While your cookies cool, whip up the icing by mixing powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add more milk gradually if the icing feels too thick, aiming for a pourable but not runny consistency. This icing is the canvas for your colorful decorations.

Step 9: Color Your Icing

Divide the icing into small bowls, then mix in your chosen food coloring to create vibrant hues. Whether it’s classic holiday reds and greens or a rainbow of festive shades, these colors turn your cookies into glowing holiday lights.

Step 10: Decorate

Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate each one using a piping bag or small spatula. Create shapes resembling holiday string lights or simply spread colorful patterns that bring the spirit of the season to life.

Step 11: Add Sparkle

Sprinkle on edible glitter or festive sprinkles while the icing is still wet for a dazzling effect that catches the light—just like real holiday decorations.

Step 12: Set and Store

Let the icing dry fully before storing the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and keep your beautiful decorations intact.

How to Serve Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra festive flourish, garnish your iced sugar holiday lights cookies with small silver dragees or red and green sanding sugar. These little details add shine and festive texture, making your cookies irresistible at first glance.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of spiced cider, hot cocoa, or a creamy eggnog for the ultimate holiday indulgence. The gentle sweetness of the cookies pairs beautifully with the warmth and spice of seasonal drinks.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies on a festive platter or string them on a decorative ribbon for a charming edible garland. You could also package them individually in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons, making wonderful homemade gifts that deliver holiday cheer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to one week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for upcoming celebrations.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked and decorated cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container. This technique prevents the icing from smearing, and your iced sugar holiday lights cookies recipe will keep well for up to three months.

Reheating

Enjoy leftover cookies at room temperature or warm them gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Avoid reheating too long so you don’t lose the delicate texture or melt the icing away.

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine is an option, butter provides the best flavor and texture for these cookies. Butter’s richness and ability to cream well with sugar are what make the cookies tender and deliciously flavorful.

How thick should I roll or shape the dough?

Rolling the dough into small balls and flattening them slightly works best. You want about 1/4-inch thickness to ensure the cookies bake evenly and remain tender but sturdy enough for decorating.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour, but results may vary slightly. Be sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum for best texture.

What is the best way to get the icing consistency right?

Start with less milk and add a little at a time until the icing is pourable but not overly runny. This balance allows for smooth application and bright colors that hold their shape once dried.

Can kids help with decorating the cookies?

Absolutely! Decorating is one of the best parts of the Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe. Kids can have so much fun choosing colors, adding sprinkles, and creating their own holiday light designs.

Final Thoughts

Nothing says joyful holiday baking quite like the Iced Sugar Holiday Lights Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring warmth, color, and a sprinkle of festive magic to any table. Whether you’re baking with family or creating edible gifts, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a cheerful tradition you’ll want to make year after year. So gather your ingredients, have fun decorating, and share the holiday spirit in every bite!

Print