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
- 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 and 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 and cut shapes:
- 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 cookies:
- 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:
- 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 FAQs
- → What is the best way to roll the dough for shaped cookies?
Roll the dough evenly to about ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface to ensure even baking and well-defined shapes.
- → How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough discs wrapped in plastic for at least 30 minutes before cutting to maintain shape during baking.
- → What ingredients are used for decorating these cookies?
Royal icing tinted with gel food coloring, edible sprinkles, mini candy canes, and pretzels are used for detailed decoration.
- → Can almond extract be omitted without affecting flavor?
Yes, almond extract is optional; omitting it still keeps a lovely vanilla-rich flavor in the dough.
- → How long should the decorated cookies dry before serving?
Allow royal icing decorations to dry completely for at least 2 hours to ensure firmness and prevent smudging.
- → What type of flour works best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour provides the right texture, balancing tenderness and structure for shaping and baking.