Description
These Santa Clause Cookies are festive and delicious sugar cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus an additional 2-4 tablespoons, if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- assorted sprinkles, vanilla sugar, and/or sanding sugar, for decorating
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the hazelnut liquor (if using) and vanilla extract, and beat to combine. Mix in the egg completely. Add the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt and beat until the mixture forms a dough ball. If the dough is too wet, gradually add 2 to 4 tablespoons more flour.
- Divide the dough in half. Roll out each half to about 1/4 inch thickness on floured parchment paper. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the frozen cookies for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Beat the powdered sugar, hazelnut liquor (if using), vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Add more water if needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
- Beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined, about 2 more minutes.
- Decorate each cookie with frosting and sprinkles to resemble Santas, snowflakes, or Christmas trees. Let set for about an hour before serving.
Notes
- These cookies freeze well before baking.
- Adjust the frosting consistency with water as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Santa Clause Cookies, Christmas Cookies, Holiday Baking