Enjoy A Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

Make the most wonderful Christmas cookies with our decorating ideas and recipe suggestions.

Christmas cookies are a beloved holiday tradition and decorating them makes it even more special. We have plenty of inspiring ideas to help you craft delicious treats that are almost too beautiful to eat! And with gingerbread making a big comeback this season, we’re sharing a must-try gingerbread recipe too.

Christmas Cookie Decoration Delights

No Christmas is complete without beautifully decorated cookies! Hosting a cookie decorating party with friends and family is a fun way to celebrate the season. Here are some decorating tips to make your cookies stand out:

1. Perfect Your Icing:

“The key to decorating is the consistency of your royal icing - like Goldilocks, you want it just right!" says New York-based baker Elizabeth Mayhew (@ElizabethMayhew). “I use a thicker consistency to keep my designs from merging. Also, I cut the smallest possible opening in my disposable piping bags.” Try Yueton Disposable Icing Piping Tools.

2. Add Color Gradually:

Stir food coloring into icing slowly, especially red and black, as they dry darker. For black, mix until it’s dark grey. Gel food colorings are best for vibrant results.

3. Stick to a Limited Palette:

A few colors work best for a professional look. Classic Christmas shades like red, green, white, gold, silver and a bit of black for outlining are perfect.

4. Outline, Then Flood:

Start by outlining the cookie with thick icing, then 'flood’ the center with thinner icing. Let each layer dry fully before adding details.

5. Create Fun Designs with a Toothpick:

For swirls, drag a toothpick through the wet icing. For a marbled look, pipe dots of different colors and swirl them with a toothpick.

6. Snow-Topped Cookies:

Sprinkle white sparkling sugar on icing before it dries to give cookies a snowy effect.

7. Use Sprinkles and Edible Glitter:

Give each guest a small plate of sprinkles to avoid sharing containers. Dip cookie edges into sprinkles or glitter for a festive touch.

8. Precise Placement with Tweezers:

Use tweezers to place delicate decorations on your cookies without smudging the icing.

9. Storing Your Cookies:

Once the icing is dry, store cookies in airtight containers. They’ll stay fresh for 5-7 days. Serve on a festive plate or package them as gifts using cellophane and ribbons, or our Small Reindeer with Stars Gift Bags.

Classic Christmas Cookie Ideas

Here are four of our favorite Christmas cookie decorations:

Christmas Tree Cookies:

Flood tree-shaped cookies with green icing or pipe leaves. Add garlands in contrasting colors like gold or red and decorate with sprinkles as ornaments. Finish with a star on top made of fondant or an edible decoration.

Santa Cookies:

Flood Santa's suit with red icing and his gloves and boots with black. Pipe his beard, suit trim and buttons in white. Use flesh-colored icing for his face and black icing for his belt and eyes. Add yellow icing for his buckle.

Reindeer Cookies:

Cover with brown icing, then pipe a red nose, golden antlers and black eyes. Add a festive bow for extra flair.

Gingerbread People:

Decorate them with red, green and white icing. Add scarves, buttons or even a Christmas sweater for a fun twist!

Delicious Gingerbread People Recipe

Gingerbread people are the ultimate Christmas cookie. Here’s Elizabeth Mayhew's go-to recipe for perfect gingerbread people:

Ingredients

Makes approximately 20 gingerbread people

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp finely grated orange zest
1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature

Method

1.    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, salt and baking soda.

2.    In another bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla and orange zest. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

3.    Mix until combined, then divide the dough into two parts, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

4.    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Cut out gingerbread shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5.    Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on the sheets, then transfer to a wire rack before decorating.

Serve your gingerbread people on Gingerbread House Plates or use them as festive cake decorations! This recipe also works well for Santa and reindeer-shaped cookies, using stainless steel cookie cutters from our collection.