Save to Pinterest 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.
This recipe quickly became my favorite holiday tradition, as the kids love helping to decorate each unique cookie.
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
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugar:
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract mix until combined.
- Combine Dough:
- 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.
- Roll & Cut:
- 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.
- Bake & Cool:
- 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.
- 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.
- Decorate Cookies:
- 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).
- Assemble 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.
Save to Pinterest Every year baking these cookies brings my family together for cheerful decorating sessions filled with laughter and holiday spirit.
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 (per cookie approx)
Save to Pinterest These cookies make a stunning holiday centerpiece that's as fun to create as to eat.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of flour works best?
All-purpose flour provides the right texture, ensuring cookies hold their shape during baking and decoration.
- → How do I achieve vibrant icing colors?
Use gel food coloring for vivid hues without altering icing consistency.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps with easier rolling and cutting.
- → What is the best way to assemble the display?
Use thick royal icing as edible glue to connect sleigh parts and decorations firmly.
- → How long should I let the icing dry?
Allow at least 2 hours for icing to fully dry and set before handling or displaying.