7 Easy Steps to Irresistible Christmas Ornament Cookies: The Perfect Festive Treat!

When December arrives, holiday baking fills kitchens with warmth, sweetness, and magic. One holiday favorite that combines all of these is Christmas ornament cookies. These decorative holiday cookies don’t just taste delicious—they’re also a beautiful, creative way to get into the holiday spirit. Shaped like charming Christmas ornaments, they can be decorated in endless ways, allowing you to personalize each cookie with festive designs.

Perfect for bakers of all ages, this recipe for Christmas ornament cookies will make your holiday celebrations truly memorable. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at baking for the first time, our guide on decorating cookie ornaments will help you create beautiful, delicious cookies that are as festive as they are flavorful.

If you’re searching for more inspiration this Christmas, make sure to explore these delightful recipes! From festive treats to heartwarming classics, you’ll find plenty of ideas to make your holiday celebrations extra special. Don’t miss out on these must-try dishes to impress your family and friends!

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Why You’ll Love Christmas ornament cookies

1. Customizable: A Canvas for Your Creativity

These Christmas ornament cookies are more than just a treat—they’re an opportunity to unleash your artistic side. The simple base of these christmas ornament cookies provides a blank canvas that you can personalize with endless designs and colors. Whether you prefer elegant snowflakes, bright candy cane stripes, or intricate holly patterns, the possibilities are limitless. You can even add edible glitter, sprinkles, or small candy pieces to create depth and texture. It’s a fun way to express your style and make each cookie unique, turning your baking session into a creative and festive experience.

2. Perfect for All Ages: A Family-Friendly Activity

One of the best parts about these cookies is that they bring people together, making them perfect for all ages. Kids will love getting their hands sticky and using colorful icing to decorate their cookies, while adults can enjoy experimenting with more intricate designs or helping the little ones bring their imaginative ideas to life. It’s an interactive activity that’s ideal for holiday gatherings, family nights, or even cookie-decorating parties. No matter your skill level, everyone can join in and have fun, making cherished memories along the way.

3. Holiday Magic: Classic Flavors with a Festive Touch

These christmas ornament cookies embody the magic of the holiday season, combining timeless flavors with delightful, festive designs. The buttery, vanilla-flavored base offers a warm, comforting taste that pairs perfectly with the sweet, smooth royal icing. Each bite captures the essence of Christmas, filling your kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked treats. Plus, the festive appearance of the cookies—adorned with bright reds, greens, and sparkling golds—adds a decorative touch that brings holiday cheer to your table. These cookies are not just desserts; they’re a symbol of the joy and warmth that make the holiday season so special.

Ingredients (Makes About 24 christmas ornament cookies)

For the Christmas ornament cookies

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract (optional for extra flavor)

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 large egg whites or 3 tbsp meringue powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (red, green, blue, gold, silver)
• Edible glitter, sprinkles, and other decorative toppings

How To Make Christmas Ornament Cookies

1 Get Ready and Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick.

2 Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking well. Set aside.

3 Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Incorporate the egg, vanilla, and almond extract, mixing until the mixture is smooth and well mixed.

4 Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough forms. Avoid over-mixing.

5 Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters shaped like ornaments to cut out your cookies.

6 Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

7 Prepare the Royal Icing: In a clean bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder), and vanilla extract until smooth. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to create festive hues.

8 How to decorate christmas ornament cookies : Using piping bags, apply the icing to create patterns like stripes, polka dots, and snowflakes. Top with edible glitter or sprinkles for a touch of holiday magic. Let the cookies dry completely before storing them.

Helpful Tips and Variations

Gluten-Free Option: Create Festive Cookies Everyone Can Enjoy

To make these Christmas ornament cookies gluten-free without sacrificing their flavor or structure, here’s a guide on the best substitutions and tips:

• Use a Gluten-Free Baking Mix with Xanthan Gum: Replace the regular all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free baking mix that contains xanthan gum. Xanthan gum is essential in gluten-free baking as it mimics gluten’s elasticity and helps bind the ingredients, creating structure and chewiness in the cookies. This ensures that the dough holds together well and prevents the cookies from crumbling after baking.
• Look for a 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour Substitute: For best results, choose a baking mix labeled as a “1-to-1” or “measure-for-measure” substitute, which is designed to replace all-purpose flour in equal amounts. These mixes are typically a blend of gluten-free flour like rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch, balanced to produce a similar texture to traditional flour.
• Chill the Dough (if needed): Gluten-free doughs can sometimes be softer. If your dough is too sticky to handle, simply chill it for 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes without sticking to the surface or cookie cutters.

With this gluten-free adaptation, you’ll be able to bake christmas ornament cookies that have the same delightful texture and flavor as the original recipe, making them safe and enjoyable for gluten-sensitive guests.

Make-Ahead Tip:

Prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it for up to three months. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator, roll it out, and bake as directed. It’s an excellent way to save time during the hectic holiday season.

Vegan Option: A Delicious, Plant-Based Alternative

For those following a vegan diet, this Christmas ornament cookies recipe can easily be adapted to fit your needs without compromising taste or texture. Here’s how to make these cookies entirely plant-based:

• Replace Butter with Plant-Based Butter: Substitute the regular unsalted butter with a vegan butter alternative. Look for a high-quality, plant-based butter that is solid at room temperature (often made from coconut oil, avocado oil, or a blend of plant oils). This type of butter will create the same soft and creamy texture when creamed with sugar, helping the cookies retain their tender crumb.
• Replace the Egg with a Flaxseed Egg: Instead of a chicken egg, use a flaxseed egg, which serves as a binding agent, holding the dough together. To make a flaxseed egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens and takes on a gel-like consistency. This mixture mimics the texture of an egg, adding moisture and a slight binding effect to the dough.

These simple swaps allow you to enjoy the same beautiful and delicious Christmas ornament cookies with a vegan twist, ensuring everyone at the holiday table can indulge!

How to Decorate christmas ornaments cookies :

Ornament cookie decorating is a delightful and festive way to bring the magic of the holidays to life. Whether aiming for classic designs or trying something unique, there are countless ways to make these cookies stand out. Below are detailed ideas to inspire your creativity:

1. Classic Holiday Colors: Embrace Timeless Festive Designs

To capture the true essence of the holiday season, start with classic holiday colors like red, green, and white. These hues are perfect for creating iconic Christmas designs such as snowflakes, holly leaves, and candy canes.

• Snowflakes: Use white icing and a fine-tipped piping bag to draw intricate snowflake patterns on your cookies. You can add small dots of icing around the design to mimic falling snow.
• Holly Leaves: Green icing works beautifully for crafting holly leaves. Outline the leaves and add red icing dots to resemble berries, creating a natural and festive look.
• Candy Canes: Alternate red and white icing to create candy cane stripes on your cookie. You can even add small edible pearls for an extra decorative touch.

2. Personalized your christmas ornament cookies : Make It Special for Loved Ones

Take your cookie decorating to the next level by adding personal touches. Use fine-tipped piping bags and write names or special holiday messages on your cookies.

• Names: Write the names of your family members on the cookies, turning each one into a personalized treat that makes everyone feel special. These also double as creative place cards for holiday dinners.
• Messages: Consider festive phrases like « Joy, » « Merry Christmas, » or « Peace » to add an extra dose of holiday cheer. Metallic edible ink pens can give your text a refined, polished look.
• Monograms: Another elegant option is to create monogrammed cookies with the initials of your guests or loved ones. Use different colors or patterns for each initial to make each cookie unique.

3. 3D Effects: Add Dimension and Texture

For those looking to make their cookies more dynamic, 3D effects are an exciting option. Layering icing and using sprinkles can add depth and a tactile experience to your creations.

• Icing Layers: Apply a base coat of icing and let it dry before adding additional layers. For example, outline a Christmas tree, dry it, and add ornaments on top for a multi-dimensional effect.
• Sprinkles and Candy: Use sprinkles to create textures, such as snow or tinsel on your cookies. Small candies or sugar pearls can also be used as accents, giving your designs a more realistic and textured appearance.
• Puffed Icing: By slightly raising the icing, you can create rounded designs like Christmas baubles or textured sweater patterns, adding a playful, 3D look.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

1. Storage: After the cookies are fully decorated and have dried completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and maintains their texture for up to a week. Ensure the container is sealed well to prevent the cookies from becoming stale or losing their decorative details.

2. Freezing: If you want to prepare the cookies in advance, freeze them undecorated for up to 3 months. Once you’re ready to decorate, thaw the cookies overnight in the refrigerator to bring them back to room temperature. This ensures they maintain their shape and texture, allowing you to decorate them as if they were freshly baked.

3. Reheating: To enjoy cookies that taste like they’ve just come out of the oven, reheat them at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This quick reheat will refresh their texture, making them warm and slightly crispy. Be cautious not to leave them in the oven for too long, as over-baking could cause them to become too hard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make these cookies without royal icing?

Yes, if you prefer a different texture or flavor, you can use buttercream frosting instead of royal icing. However, keep in mind that buttercream is softer and less precise, so the details on your cookies might not be as crisp or defined. Buttercream is great for simple designs or when you want a creamier finish, but it may not hold intricate patterns as well as royal icing.

2. How long does the icing take to dry?

Royal icing typically takes 4-6 hours to fully dry, depending on the humidity and thickness of the icing. It’s important to allow enough time for the icing to harden completely, especially if you plan to add additional decorative layers or pack the cookies as gifts. To speed up the drying process, place the cookies in a cool, dry area away from moisture.

3 Can I freeze christmas ornament cookies that have already been decorated?

While it’s best to freeze undecorated cookies for the best results, you can also freeze decorated ones. To do so, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper to protect the designs, then store them in an airtight container for up to a month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature, making sure the decorations stay intact.