Pin it A festive and whimsical assortment of sugar cookies shaped and decorated to resemble Santas sleigh, reindeer, and holiday accents—perfect as a centerpiece for holiday gatherings.
I first served this cookie display during the holidays and it was the centerpiece of our gathering bringing joy to everyone.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies: 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour ¾ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- For the Royal Icing: 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted 2 large egg whites or 4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp water ½ tsp vanilla extract Gel food coloring: red, green, brown, yellow, black, white
- For Decoration & Assembly: Edible gold or silver sprinkles Mini pretzels (for sleigh runners, optional) Mini candy canes (optional) Assorted festive sprinkles Edible glue or a small amount of royal icing (for assembly)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 3:
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract mix until combined.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, mixing just until dough forms. Divide dough in half, form into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 5:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, and tree cookie cutters to cut shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
- Step 6:
- Bake 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
- Step 7:
- Prepare royal icing: Beat powdered sugar and egg whites (or meringue powder mixture) on low speed until thick and glossy (about 5 minutes). Add vanilla, then divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- Step 8:
- Decorate cooled cookies with colored royal icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Pipe details onto sleigh, reindeer, Santa, and accents. Let icing dry completely (at least 2 hours).
- Step 9:
- For the display, arrange sleigh cookies at the center of a platter. Place reindeer in front, connecting with icing or edible glue. Fill sleigh with tree/star cookies or mini candies. Use mini pretzels or candy canes as sleigh runners, attaching with icing if desired.
Pin it This cookie display always brings the family together, sparking holiday cheer with every bite and decoration.
Required Tools
Electric mixer Rolling pin Holiday cookie cutters (sleigh, reindeer, Santa, star, tree) Baking sheets & parchment paper Piping bags and small tips for decorating Spatula
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter). Some decorations may contain nuts or soy, always check labels if you have allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories 110 Total Fat 4 g Carbohydrates 18 g Protein 1 g per cookie approx.
Pin it Enjoy your festive cookie display as a centerpiece and a treat to share throughout the holidays.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of flour is best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour provides the ideal texture, balancing structure and tenderness in the cookies.
- → Can I substitute almond extract in the dough?
Yes, almond extract is optional and can be omitted or replaced with an extra half teaspoon of vanilla for a milder flavor.
- → How thick should the dough be rolled out?
Roll the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness to ensure even baking and sturdy cookie shapes.
- → What is the best way to decorate the cookies?
Use royal icing tinted with festive colors and a piping bag with small tips to add details, followed by sprinkles and edible decorations for accents.
- → How do I assemble the cookie display?
Arrange the sleigh-shaped cookies centrally, connect reindeer in front using thick royal icing as glue, and fill the sleigh with stars, trees, or mini candies for a festive presentation.
- → Can I store these decorated cookies before serving?
Yes, store them in an airtight container at room temperature once the icing has completely dried to maintain freshness and decoration quality.