Santa’s Cookies: Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes

Last Updated May 28th, 2023 at 10:23 pm by Lisa

Children around the world enjoy leaving cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve. These festive sugar cookies double as a place for kids to write their wish lists — and they even have a little hole for a straw so the cookie can sit on a glass of milk. Kids will love decorating and writing their lists on these cheerful treats.

When Santa arrives, he’ll give a merry HO HO HO when he sees the cookies and the lists that tell him who’s been naughty or nice.

Santa’s Cookie Recipe

These are my go-to Christmas sugar cookies — soft, lightly sweet, and perfect for decorating. I keep this recipe as a holiday tradition because families always ask for more. Don’t forget some carrots for the reindeer!

PRO TIP: Plan ahead — the royal icing needs 2–3 days to dry thoroughly before you can write on the cookies with edible markers.

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg (or EggBeaters)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Sugar Cookie Baking Instructions

1. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the sugar and softened butter together on low speed until smooth.
2. Add the egg, baking powder, orange juice, vanilla, and flour. Mix until the dough is combined.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 1–2 hours.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
5. Cut squares with a cutter (a food container lid works well). Use a small icing tip or the end of a decorating tip to cut a 1/2-inch hole in one corner for a straw. Place the cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet with 1–2 inches between them.
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
7. Cool completely before decorating.

Christmas Cookie Equipment

A few helpful tools for decorating and baking:

• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Square cookie cutter (or a food container lid)
• Small icing tip and pastry bags
• Small skewer or toothpick for flooding
• Edible color markers for writing

Royal Icing Ingredients

• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 5 tbsp meringue powder
• Dash of clear vanilla extract (optional)
• About 1 cup warm water (scant)
• Food coloring for red and green

Mix the Royal Icing

1. Combine the powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla (if using), and warm water in a mixer bowl. Whip on low speed for about 10 minutes until smooth and slightly glossy.
2. Keep the icing covered with plastic wrap or a damp towel while working so it doesn’t dry out.
3. Tint portions of the icing red and green as desired. Any leftover icing can be frozen for later use.

Royal Icing Drying Tips

PRO TIP: To dry cookies, place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan inside the oven with only the oven light on. This creates a warm, draft-free environment that speeds drying.

• Or dry them on a parchment-lined sheet pan on the counter.
• Do not refrigerate; the cold, moist air prevents the icing from drying properly.
• The royal icing helps the cookie retain a pleasant, soft texture as it sets.
• Drying time varies with humidity. If needed, set a fan nearby to increase airflow and speed drying.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Tips

1. Outline each cookie with a small-tip pastry bag, then flood the center with a thinner consistency icing. Use a skewer to help spread and smooth the surface.
2. VERY IMPORTANT: Let the cookies dry for at least 2–3 days until the icing is completely hard before writing on them with edible markers.
3. When the icing is rock hard, use a ruler to draw faint blue lines and a red margin with edible markers to mimic paper, then use black for the wish list text. Adults should do the ruler lines for younger children, who can write the list themselves.
4. Place the decorated cookie on a mug of cold milk, add a festive straw through the corner hole, and set it out for Santa.
5. Use remaining icing and sprinkles to decorate additional cookies in holiday themes.

Christmas Cookie Design Ideas

• Wish-list cookie: draw faint blue lines and a red margin, then write the list in black edible ink.
• Peppermint swirl: alternate red and white icing, then add clear sugar sparkles.
• Gift boxes: ice a square, add dotted details and a bold red bow.
• Connected hearts: drag a skewer through alternating red and green lines for a linked-heart effect.
• Holly and berries: pipe green leaf shapes and dot red berries.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes

Try other festive cookie ideas like peppermint chocolate chip cookies, peppermint shortbread with macadamia nuts, or a peppermint candy plate for a quick holiday treat. You can also make nutty candy bars to share—great for holiday gifting and cookie exchanges.

Santa’s Cookies Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Royal Icing Dry Time: 2–3 days | Total Active Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 36  |  Calories: 201 kcal  |  Author: Lisa Hatfield

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg (or EggBeaters)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Royal Icing

• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 5 tbsp meringue powder
• Dash of vanilla (clear preferred)
• About 1 cup warm water (scant)
• Food colors for red and green

Instructions

Baking

1. Cream the sugar and softened butter together until smooth.
2. Add the egg, baking powder, orange juice, vanilla, and flour. Mix to form a dough.
3. Wrap and chill the dough for 1–2 hours until firm.
4. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and cut squares. Punch a 1/2-inch hole in one corner for a straw.
5. Place on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.
6. Cool completely before decorating.

Royal Icing

1. Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, and warm water. Whip on low for about 10 minutes until smooth.
2. Keep the icing covered to prevent drying. Tint portions as needed.
3. Freeze any extra icing for later use.

Decorating

1. Pipe an outline with thicker icing, then flood the center with a thinner consistency and smooth with a skewer.
2. Allow cookies to dry completely for at least 2–3 days until the icing is rock hard before writing on them with edible markers.
3. Draw faint blue lines and a red margin as a “paper” background, then use a black edible pen to write the wish list. Adults should help younger children.
4. Place a cookie on a mug of cold milk, thread a festive straw through the corner hole, and leave out for Santa.

Notes

• Plan ahead: Royal icing requires 2–3 days to dry fully before writing on the cookies.
• Helpful supplies: parchment paper, square cutter or food container lid, small icing tip, pastry bags, edible color markers, ruler, small skewer, sprinkles, and food coloring.
• Drying tip: place decorated cookies on a sheet pan inside the oven with only the oven light on, or dry on the counter in a draft-free space. Avoid refrigerating.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 201 kcal | Carbohydrates: 37 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 5 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 18 mg | Sodium: 55 mg | Sugar: 30 g

If you make these Santa cookies, enjoy the decorating time with your kids and savor the holiday tradition. Ho Ho Ho!