Santa Slice-and-Bake Cookies

The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of adorable and delicious Santa Slice-and-Bake Cookies? These delightful treats are festive, fun, and almost too cute to eat—almost! Imagine the joy of unwrapping a plate of these cookies on Christmas morning or sharing them with friends and family. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and simple slice-and-bake process, these cookies are perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Ready to spread some holiday cheer? Let’s dive into the recipe!

Why You’ll Love These Santa Slice-and-Bake Cookies

• Festive and Adorable: The Santa decorations make these cookies perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie swaps, or as a homemade gift.
• Simple to Make: The slice-and-bake method is straightforward, so you can easily make a large batch.
• Fun for All Ages: This recipe is a great holiday activity for kids and adults alike! Decorating each cookie adds a fun, personal touch.

Taste and Texture

These cookies have that classic sugar cookie taste—sweet and buttery with a hint of vanilla. When baked, they’re tender with just a slight crisp around the edges, and the icing adds a delightful layer of sweetness and a playful texture with the sprinkles and nonpareils. Each bite is like a cozy Christmas hug!

Ingredients for Santa Slice-and-Bake Cookies

Cookie Dough Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Decorations:

• Royal icing or cookie icing in red, white, pink, and black
• Pink, white, and red sprinkles
• Small round sprinkles or candies for eyes (black) and nose (pink or red)
• White nonpareils or sanding sugar for Santa’s hat trim

Tools You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Whisk and spatula
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Piping bags and small round piping tips for detailed decorating
• Cooling rack

How to Make Santa Slice-and-Bake Cookies

Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.

Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Chill the Dough

1. Shape the dough into a log shape, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this makes it easier to slice).

Slice and Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Slice the chilled dough into rounds about 1/4-inch thick and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges turn a light golden brown.
4. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Decorate

Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to bring Santa to life!

Santa’s Hat

• Use red icing to pipe a small triangle at the top of each cookie for Santa’s hat.
• While the icing is still wet, dip the edge in white nonpareils or sanding sugar to create a “furry” trim.
• Add a dollop of white icing at the tip for the hat’s pom-pom.

Santa’s Face

• Pipe or spread white icing in a circular shape for Santa’s beard, leaving space in the middle for his face.
• Use pink icing to create rosy cheeks and a nose.
• Place two small black round sprinkles or candies above the beard for Santa’s eyes.

Mustache and Extra Details

• Use white icing to pipe a small mustache above the beard. You can also add a little smile, eyebrows, or other facial details.

Tips for the Perfect Santa Cookies

• Chill for Sharp Edges: Keep the dough chilled for crisp edges, which makes slicing easier and the cookies bake with a clean edge.
• Layer Your Icing: To avoid color bleeding, let each layer of icing dry a bit before adding more details.
• Fondant Fun: If you’d like to experiment, use fondant for Santa’s hat or beard for a different texture.

How to Serve Your Santa Cookies

These cookies look especially charming on a festive holiday plate or a rustic wooden board. You can scatter a few extra nonpareils around the plate for added sparkle. For an eye-catching holiday spread, surround the cookies with small Christmas ornaments or holly sprigs. They’ll look as magical as they taste!

Storage Instructions

To keep these cookies fresh:

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• If you want to make them ahead, you can freeze the dough log before slicing and baking. Just thaw slightly before slicing and baking as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes! You can prepare and refrigerate the dough up to 3 days in advance. Just keep it tightly wrapped in plastic to prevent it from drying out.

What if I don’t have royal icing?

No problem! You can use any cookie icing, or even make your own with powdered sugar, a bit of milk, and food coloring.

Can these cookies be frozen?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Spread Holiday Cheer with These Santa Cookies! 🎅🍪

Making these Santa Slice-and-Bake Cookies is a surefire way to bring a little extra magic to the holiday season. They’re simple, festive, and taste absolutely delightful—everything you could want in a holiday treat. Plus, they’re a lovely way to spend time with family in the kitchen, creating memories as sweet as the cookies themselves.

More Holiday Recipes to Try

• Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies: Whimsical and fun, these stocking-shaped cookies are perfect for the season.
• Gingerbread Cake: Warm and spiced, this cake is a crowd-pleaser that brings all the cozy holiday vibes.
• Christmas Cake – A Festive Masterpiece: A stunning and flavor-packed holiday cake to impress guests.

Got photos of your festive Santa cookies? Share them with us on Pinterest—we’d love to see your creations! 🎄 Happy baking and happy holidays!

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