Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

Nothing says Christmas quite like festive sugar cookies! These Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies are buttery, delicate, and decorated with colorful royal icing, making them a perfect activity for holiday gatherings. Whether you bake them with your little helpers or gift them to friends and neighbors, these charming cookies will spread holiday cheer wherever they go.

Ready to add some joy to your cookie trays? Stick with me, and let’s walk through the steps to create these stocking-shaped delights!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

1. Buttery and soft texture: These sugar cookies melt in your mouth, with a hint of vanilla or almond essence.
2. Perfectly customizable: You can switch up the colors, sprinkle choices, or designs to match your holiday decor theme!
3. A fun family activity: Decorating these cookies together is a festive bonding experience for kids and adults.
4. Beautiful for gifting: Wrap them up in a box or bag, and they make a lovely, thoughtful gift for friends, coworkers, or teachers.

Imagine the smell of these cookies baking in the oven – pure holiday magic!

What Do These Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies Taste Like?

The cookies themselves are slightly crisp around the edges, with a soft, tender center and a buttery flavor enhanced by vanilla or almond extract. The royal icing adds a slight crunch and a glossy finish, creating a perfect balance of textures. When topped with sprinkles, these treats become as fun to eat as they are to decorate.

Ingredients for Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

this Recipe

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 8-10 tablespoons water
• Food coloring (red, green, pink, and any others you prefer)
• Optional: Assorted sprinkles (stars, nonpareils, glitter, etc.)

Tools You’ll Need

• Stocking-shaped cookie cutter
• Rolling pin
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Piping bags and tips (small round tips work best)
• Toothpicks for spreading icing
• Plastic wrap (for chilling dough)

Ingredient Additions and Substitutions

• Extracts: Swap vanilla with almond, peppermint, or even orange extract for a unique holiday twist.
• Butter: If you prefer dairy-free cookies, use vegan butter.
• Sprinkles: Customize the sprinkles to fit your theme. Use silver dragees or candy canes for a more elegant look.

How to Make Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare and Chill the Dough

1. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This makes the dough easier to roll out.

Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
3. Use a stocking-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
4. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden.
6. Transfer to a wire rack and let the cookies cool completely before decorating.

Decorating Your Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

Mix the Royal Icing

1. Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl.
2. Add water gradually until soft peaks form. Adjust the consistency depending on whether you’re outlining or flooding the cookies.
3. Divide the icing into bowls and color each with food coloring (red, green, pink, white, etc.).

Decorate the Stocking

• Outline the Stocking: Use a piping bag with a small round tip to outline the shape of the cookie. Let it set for a few minutes.
• Flood the Body: Use a thinner icing to flood the body of the stocking. A toothpick helps spread the icing smoothly.
• Cuff Decoration: Outline and flood the top of the stocking with white icing to resemble the fluffy cuff. Add texture with dots or wavy lines.
• Sprinkle Magic: Add sprinkles while the icing is still wet for a festive, playful look.

Add Extra Details

• After the base icing dries, use contrasting colors to pipe decorative lines or snowflakes for added charm.
• For extra dimension, layer patterns or add stitch-like lines across the body of the stocking.

What to Serve with These Christmas Stocking Cookies

• Hot chocolate with whipped cream (sprinkle some crushed candy canes for a minty twist)
• Eggnog or spiced apple cider
• A festive Christmas cookie platter with other holiday favorites, like gingerbread men or peppermint bark!

Pro Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies

1. Chill the Dough: Chilling helps the dough maintain its shape and prevents spreading during baking.
2. Use Cold Sheets: Make sure your baking sheets are cool before placing dough on them to avoid premature spreading.
3. Practice Makes Perfect: If you’re new to royal icing, practice on parchment paper before decorating your cookies.
4. Thin Flood Icing Carefully: Add water to your royal icing slowly, as it’s easy to overdo it and make it too runny.

Storing Your Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

• Room Temperature: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Simply thaw before decorating.
• Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it chilled until ready to bake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.

2. How long does the icing need to set?
Allow at least 4-6 hours for the royal icing to set, or leave them overnight for best results.

3. Can I substitute meringue powder in the icing?
Yes! If you don’t have meringue powder, use pasteurized egg whites instead.

Conclusion

These Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies are guaranteed to become a festive favorite! Not only are they delicious and beautiful, but they also bring people together, whether through baking or gifting. They’ll brighten any holiday gathering with their playful designs and colors, spreading Christmas joy one bite at a time.

Have fun baking and decorating – and don’t forget to share photos of your creations on Pinterest here!

Recommended Recipes for Your Holiday Cookie Tray

• Gingerbread Cake
• Christmas Cake – A Festive Masterpiece
• Christmas Wreath Cookies

Happy baking, and may your holidays be as sweet as these cookies! 🎅🍪✨

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