Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts bring a touch of holiday magic to any cookie tray. These buttery sugar cookies are cut into festive shapes and decorated with vibrant royal icing to resemble Santa’s suit. After baking, each cookie is meticulously decorated with red and white royal icing to form Santa’s hat, beard, and trim. Colorful details, such as pink and black nonpareils for cheeks and eyes and mini M&Ms for the nose, add charm and personality. Perfect for decorating parties with family or as gifts, these cookies are sure to bring holiday joy to all who see and taste them.
Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts are an exciting holiday tradition that combines delicious sugar cookies with creative decorating fun. The base of these cookies is a classic buttery sugar cookie dough, made with unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and a hint of vanilla and almond extract for added flavor. After chilling and rolling, the cookies are cut into festive shapes and baked to perfection. Once cooled, they are decorated with red and white royal icing, sprinkled with sanding sugar, and adorned with charming candy details to create a Santa suit design.
INGREDIENTS
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup, room temperature
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Egg: 1 large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 tsp
- Almond Extract (Optional): ½ tsp
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups
- Baking Powder: ½ tsp
- Salt: ¼ tsp
- Powdered Sugar (for Royal Icing): 3 cups
- Meringue Powder: 2-3 tbsp
- Water: 4-5 tbsp, adjusted as needed
- Red Gel Food Coloring: As needed
- Red Sanding Sugar: As needed
- White Sanding Sugar: As needed
- Pink & Black Nonpareils: For cheeks and eyes
- Small Red Candies or Mini M&Ms: For Santa's nose
- Piping Bags with Small Round Tips:
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract (optional).
- Step 2:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until combined. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Step 3:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into shapes (Santa face or rounds). Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Step 4:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are just starting to turn golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Step 5:
- To prepare royal icing, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth, adjusting consistency as needed. Divide and tint one portion red; fill piping bags.
- Step 6:
- Decorate cookies: Use red icing for Santa’s hat, sprinkle with red sanding sugar; use white icing for beard/trim, sprinkle with white sanding sugar. Add nonpareils for cheeks and eyes, and a red candy for Santa's nose. Add a smile if desired.
- Step 7:
- Allow icing to dry completely before serving or packaging.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Perfect for gifting or holiday cookie exchanges.
Helpful Notes
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant red icing without affecting consistency.
- Ensure cookies are fully cooled before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Tip: To make intricate details easier, use a fine-tip piping bag and steady, even pressure when decorating.
Festive Cookie Fun
These Santa suit cookies bring holiday cheer with every bite. Their charming designs and delicious taste make them the highlight of any cookie tray.
Why Santa Suit Cookies Are Special
Combining classic sugar cookie flavors with fun decorations, these cookies capture the joy of Christmas. They are perfect for baking with loved ones and sharing as gifts.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, prepare and chill up to 2 days in advance for easy baking.
How do I achieve the perfect red color?
Use concentrated red gel food coloring for the best results.
What if I don’t have meringue powder?
Substitute with pasteurized egg whites for a similar consistency in royal icing.
Can I freeze the decorated cookies?
Yes, freeze in a single layer before storing in an airtight container.
Summary
Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts are a holiday favorite that combines a buttery sugar cookie base with charming and festive decorations. After mixing and chilling the dough, the cookies are rolled out, cut into shapes, and baked until just golden. Once cooled, they are decorated with royal icing to resemble Santa’s iconic suit, complete with red sanding sugar, white beard trim, and small candy details for eyes and a nose. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, making great gifts or sweet treats for guests. The decorating process can be a fun activity for the whole family, allowing everyone to create their own unique Santa designs. With vibrant colors and delicious flavors, these cookies bring joy and holiday spirit to any occasion.