Save 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.
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Save Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of flour is best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour provides the ideal texture for sturdy yet tender cookies suitable for decorating and assembling.
- → How long should I chill the dough before rolling?
Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes firms it up, making it easier to roll and cut out detailed shapes.
- → Can I substitute almond extract in the dough?
Almond extract is optional and adds a warm, holiday aroma; vanilla alone works well if omitted.
- → What is the purpose of royal icing in this display?
Royal icing is used to decorate the cookies with vibrant colors and helps assemble the cookies securely into a festive display.
- → How do I achieve bright colors in the icing?
Use gel food coloring to tint royal icing, allowing for vivid and smooth hues without thinning the icing consistency.
- → Are there any tips for decorating the cookies neatly?
Using piping bags with small tips and allowing the icing to dry fully between layers ensures clean, detailed designs.