If you adore the festive feeling that comes with every bite of holiday treats, you are going to fall in love with this Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe. These charming cookies capture the magic of twinkling Christmas lights with their whimsical decoration and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The crisp sugar cookies provide the perfect canvas for vibrant royal icing, making them not only a delicious delight but a joyful centerpiece for your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re baking with family or gifting friends, these cookies bring warmth and sparkle to any festive occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe relies on simple ingredients that come together to create a cookie both tender and flavorful, while the royal icing adds that signature glossy finish and bright colors. Each item plays an essential role, ensuring perfect texture and stunning decoration that lasts through the holidays.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): The sturdy base of the cookie dough, giving structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and tender.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances depth of flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Adds richness and tenderness; soft butter creams beautifully with sugar.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough and contributes to that classic sugar cookie snap.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients and adds moisture for a perfectly chewy bite.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 tsp): Infuses warmth and familiar sweetness to every bite.
- Almond extract (1/2 tsp): Adds subtle nutty undertones, elevating the cookie’s flavor profile.
- Powdered sugar (4 cups, for royal icing): The smooth sweetness that creates the flawless finish of the royal icing.
- Meringue powder (3 tbsp): The secret to stiff, pipeable royal icing that dries hard for intricate details.
- Water (6–8 tbsp): Adjusts the consistency of the royal icing to either flood or pipe perfectly.
- Assorted gel food coloring: Brings the “lights” to life with vibrant, lasting colors.
- Black food coloring or edible marker: Essential for creating the string that holds the colorful bulbs together.
- Small round piping tips and piping bags: Tools that allow you to unleash your creativity with precision and ease.
How to Make Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl—this keeps your dry elements perfectly combined. Then, in a separate large bowl, beat your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy; this is the key to those tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is smoothly incorporated. Gradually add your dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Divide the dough into two discs and chill for at least an hour—this step enhances flavor and ensures crisp edges once baked.
Step 2: Cut and Bake Your Cookies
Once chilled, roll your dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes; since this recipe celebrates Christmas lights, bulbs or simple round shapes work wonderfully. Place your cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, giving them enough space to bake evenly. Pop them in a preheated 350°F oven, baking for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are just set. Let your creations cool completely—this is crucial before you start decorating.
Step 3: Make the Royal Icing
Beat the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 6 tablespoons of water together until stiff peaks form; this thick consistency is perfect for piping sharp details. If the icing is too stiff, add water a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired piping consistency. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and tint each with your gel food coloring to bring that beloved Christmas lights effect. White icing will be your base for flooding the cookies, bringing luminosity to your canvas.
Step 4: Decorate the Cookies
Start by flooding each cookie with white royal icing and allow it to dry completely. Next, pipe a thin black line across each cookie using either black food coloring royal icing or an edible marker; this represents the wire string. Use small round piping tips to add colorful “bulbs” of icing along the string, using various vibrant colors to mimic real lights. The contrast of bright bulbs against the white background will truly make these cookies pop. Let your masterpieces dry for 4 to 6 hours or even overnight to ensure icing is fully set.
How to Serve Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing beats presentation when serving these festive cookies. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter for a subtle sparkle that echoes the sparkle of actual Christmas lights. You could also dust the plate with finely chopped pistachios or peppermint bits to complement the bold colors and add festive flavor contrasts.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with classic holiday drinks to elevate the enjoyment. Rich hot cocoa with marshmallows, spiced eggnog, or a warm cup of chai tea creates the perfect cozy pairing. The sweetness of the cookies balances beautifully with these warm drinks, making any gathering feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun holiday party, arrange your Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe on a platter designed to look like a string of lights, linking them with fresh green garlands or berry sprigs. Another idea is to gift-wrap a set in clear treat bags tied with red and green ribbons, making your homemade cookies the star present under the tree.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, they stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, allowing you to savor the festive cheer well beyond the baking day.
Freezing
You can freeze both the baked cookies (undecorated) and royal icing separately. Freeze cookies in a sealed container or bag for up to three months. For royal icing, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week and bring it to room temperature before use. This prep method is a lifesaver for managing your holiday schedule.
Reheating
These sugar cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer them slightly warm, unwrap and microwave for a few seconds (10-15 seconds) but avoid overheating as it can soften the royal icing and affect the texture. This gentle warmth brings out the rich butter flavor and enhances the cookie’s soft crumb.
FAQs
Can I use gluten-free flour for this Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Substitute your all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but make sure it includes xanthan gum or a similar binder. Keep an eye on the dough consistency as gluten-free flours may require slight moisture adjustments.
How long does royal icing take to dry completely?
For the best results, royal icing should dry for at least 4 to 6 hours, but ideally overnight. This ensures the icing hardens fully so your beautiful decorations won’t smudge or break during handling.
Can I make these cookies without almond extract?
Yes! Almond extract adds a lovely nutty hint, but if you’re allergic or prefer not to use it, just omit it or replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract. Your cookies will still turn out flavorful and festive.
What’s the best way to pipe the light bulbs neatly?
Use small round piping tips fitted onto piping bags for controlled icing dots. If you don’t have piping bags, a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped works perfectly. Patience is key, and a toothpick or scribe tool can help smooth edges for a professional look.
Can I prepare the dough and royal icing in advance?
Definitely! The cookie dough can be made and chilled up to 24 hours before baking. Royal icing can be prepared up to a week in advance and kept airtight in the fridge. This prep helps spread out your holiday baking tasks for less stress and more joy.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about making cookies that celebrate the joy and brightness of the season, and this Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe absolutely delivers. From the tender cookie base to the dazzling royal icing decoration, every step invites smiles and festive fun. Whether you’re baking them for your own holiday celebrations or sharing their sparkle as gifts, these cookies are a delightful way to add cheer to your kitchen and your heart. So grab your mixing bowl and your piping bags, because it’s time to light up your holiday with these charming sugar cookies!
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Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Lights Royal Icing Sugar Cookies are festive, buttery sugar cookies decorated with colorful royal icing to resemble brightly glowing Christmas lights. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies combine a soft, tender crumb with beautifully detailed icing work featuring a delicate string of lights. The royal icing is made from powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, colored with gel food coloring for vibrant hues and piped to create a smooth, glossy finish and intricate decorations.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Royal Icing
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp meringue powder
- 6–8 tbsp water
- Assorted gel food coloring
- Black food coloring or edible marker (for light string)
- Small round piping tips and piping bags
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly combine.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together without overmixing.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the cutouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are set but not browned. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make Royal Icing: In a mixing bowl, beat together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 6 tablespoons of water until stiff peaks form. Add more water 1 teaspoon at a time if icing is too thick to pipe.
- Color Icing: Divide small portions of the royal icing into separate bowls and tint each with assorted gel food colorings to create vibrant colors for the lights.
- Flood Cookies: Use white royal icing to flood the surface of each cooled cookie evenly. Let the icing dry completely to a hard finish.
- Pipe Light String and Bulbs: Using black food coloring or an edible marker, pipe or draw a black line across each cookie to represent the light string. Then, with small round piping tips, pipe small colored bulbs along the line using the colored royal icing.
- Dry Decorated Cookies: Allow the decorated cookies to dry thoroughly for at least 4-6 hours or preferably overnight before storing or serving.
Notes
- Use a scribe tool or toothpick to help shape and smooth the royal icing during flooding for a clean, polished finish.
- Royal icing can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Edible markers can be used instead of piping black icing for the light string for easier detailing.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
