Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me, the magic of the holidays just isn’t complete without baking something festive, fun, and utterly delicious. That’s why I’m so excited to share my Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe with you! These cookies aren’t just adorable—they taste incredible and become the centerpiece of any holiday gathering. With their classic sugar cookie base and beautifully bright royal icing that looks like twinkling Christmas lights, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles around your kitchen table. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to make these festive treats shine!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients. You’ll find these are basic pantry staples that work together to create the perfect sugar cookie canvas. I always recommend using room temperature butter and eggs to get the right dough consistency and smooth icing.

• All-purpose flour: Make sure to measure with a scale if you can—it’s the best way to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise ever so slightly, giving a tender crumb.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and boost the flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter makes the creaming step so much easier and gives great flavor without extra salt.
• Granulated sugar: The classic sweetener for that perfect crunch and sweetness.
• Large eggs: Room temperature eggs bind everything together and add richness.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting note—don’t skip on real vanilla if you can.
• Powdered sugar (for royal icing): This keeps the icing smooth and silky.
• Meringue powder: The secret to royal icing’s stability and that gorgeous glossy finish.
• Water: Adjusts consistency for piping and flooding.
• Food coloring (like Wilton icing gel): This is what brings the Christmas lights to life!

Variations

I love how versatile my Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe is. You can stick with the classic or put your own spin on it depending on your mood or dietary needs—it’s all about making it your own!

• Gluten-Free Version: I once swapped out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with xanthan gum. The texture was a tiny bit different but still delicious and held up well for decorating.
• Flavor Twist: Adding a little almond extract alongside vanilla adds a lovely nutty depth that my family couldn’t get enough of.
• Vegan-Friendly: You can replace butter with vegan margarine and use a flax egg, although the royal icing might need tweaks like aquafaba instead of meringue powder for similar structure.

How to Make Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt. I like to do this in a medium bowl to make sure everything’s evenly combined and free of lumps. Using a scale for the flour is a game-changer here—your cookies will bake up perfectly every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer for about 3 minutes. You want it nice and fluffy, like a cloud, which sets the stage for tender cookies.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in your eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. This adds moisture and flavor, plus helps bind the dough. Beat everything for an additional minute until it’s smooth.

Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed. The dough will begin pulling away from the sides of the bowl—that’s your cue it’s ready! Then, take it out and knead gently on parchment paper for a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough in half, wrap in parchment paper, and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This makes rolling easier and helps prevent spreading while baking.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Your Cookie Shapes

Place the chilled dough between two sheets of parchment and roll it out to about ⅛” to ¼” thickness. This thickness is ideal—thin enough to bake quickly but thick enough to hold shape. Cut your shapes (Christmas lights, of course!) and don’t move them—leave the cut shapes right on your rolling parchment, then transfer that to your baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-13 minutes, or until edges are just starting to turn golden. Keep an eye on them towards the end—overbaked cookies get too crisp and lose that melt-in-your-mouth charm.

Step 8: Make Your Royal Icing

For that Christmas lights magic, royal icing is key. Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and a bit of water—then beat for 6 minutes low and slow until fluffy. Add water in small amounts to get medium (toothpaste) and flood (like glue) consistencies. Separating half and adjusting water is how I get that perfect outline and fill effect.

Step 9: Decorate and Let Dry

Start by piping an outline with medium consistency icing. Then fill with flood icing using a squeeze bottle or piping bag. After drying for an hour, come back with more medium consistency icing for details—add the tiny circles to look like bulbs and don’t forget to change colors! Trust me, your family will be mesmerized by how real these look.

How to Serve Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I often add a sprinkle of edible glitter or tiny silver dragées to make those Christmas lights sparkle even more. If I’m feeling extra festive, I’ll dust a little powdered sugar over the platter to mimic snow—super simple but stunning.

Side Dishes

These cookies steal the show, but I like to serve them alongside a warm cup of cocoa or a spiced holiday punch. They also pair beautifully with a cheese board featuring mild cheeses and fresh fruit for a cozy winter gathering.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped these cookies individually in clear cellophane tied with colorful ribbon as little holiday gifts. Another favorite is arranging them on a gingerbread house-style cookie board shaped like a strand of Christmas lights—kids and adults alike get such a kick out of it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your decorated Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they last about a week and remain soft yet firm enough not to get soggy. If you need extra freshness, a single slice of bread helps absorb moisture without drying out your cookies.

Freezing

I’ve found freezing the baked but undecorated cookies works best. Wrap them tightly in parchment and foil, then freeze. When ready, thaw overnight and decorate fresh for the best texture and appearance.

Reheating

No need to reheat decorated cookies, but if you want that fresh-baked warmth without melty icing, pop undecorated ones in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. Just remember: decorated cookies are best enjoyed as-is so the icing stays firm.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies Recipe brings joy every holiday season. From rolling out the dough with the kids to piping colorful icing that sparkles like the real deal, it’s more than just a treat—it’s a shared experience full of laughter and warmth. If you try this recipe, I promise you’ll be baking these charming cookies year after year. So grab your piping bag, crank up your favorite holiday tunes, and let’s light up your kitchen with these delightful cookies!

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