Santa’s Christmas Cookie Recipes for Holiday Baking

Last Updated May 28th, 2023 at 10:23 pm by Lisa

Children around the world leave Santa cookies and milk or other festive treats out on Christmas Eve. These square sugar cookies are perfect for little hands to decorate and write their wish lists on — there’s even a hole for a straw so they can sit on a mug of milk. Kids will be excited to create their lists and wait for Santa’s HO HO HO when he sees who’s been naughty or nice.

Santa’s Cookie Recipe

These are my go-to Christmas cookies — a simple sugar cookie I bake every year. Don’t forget carrots for the reindeer and a cold mug of milk for Santa. The cookies are soft and hold royal icing decorations well, making them a hit every holiday season.

PRO TIP: Plan ahead — the royal icing needs 2–3 days to dry completely before you write on the cookies with edible markers.

Sugar Cookie Baking Instructions

• granulated sugar
• butter, softened
• egg (or EggBeaters)
• baking powder
• orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• vanilla extract
• all-purpose flour

1. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream the granulated sugar and softened butter together until light and combined.
2. Add the egg, baking powder, orange juice, vanilla extract, and flour. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 1–2 hours.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4″ thickness.
5. Cut squares using a cutter or a food container lid. Use a decorating tip or small round cutter to create a 1/2″ hole in one corner for a straw. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet at least 1–2 inches apart.
6. Bake in a 400°F oven for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just lightly browned.
7. Cool completely before decorating.

Christmas Cookie Baking Equipment List

Helpful tools for decorating and baking:

• Large metal sheet pan
• Meringue powder for royal icing
• Edible color marker decorating pens
• Disposable cookie decorating bags
• Assorted icing colors

Mix the Royal Icing

Ingredients:

powdered sugar

meringue powder

dash of vanilla extract (clear preferred)

warm water

1. Place powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, and warm water in the bowl of a mixer. Whip on low for about 10 minutes until the icing is smooth and glossy.
2. Keep the royal icing covered with plastic wrap or a damp towel while working so it doesn’t dry out and become grainy.
3. Color portions of the icing with red and green gel or paste colors as desired.
4. Leftover icing freezes well in airtight containers for later use.

Royal Icing Drying Tips

PRO TIP: To dry decorated cookies gently, place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan in the oven with only the oven light on — the slight warmth helps them set.

• Alternatively, leave them on a parchment-lined sheet pan at room temperature on the counter.
• Avoid refrigerating—fridge humidity prevents proper drying and can soften cookies.
• The royal icing helps maintain a pleasant soft texture in the cookie as it sets.
• Drying time depends on humidity and temperature where you live.
• Placing a fan nearby can speed drying on humid days.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Tips

1. Pipe a thin outline around each cookie with a pastry bag and small tip, then flood the interior and use a skewer to smooth the icing.
2. IMPORTANT: Let the cookies dry completely — 2–3 days — before writing with edible ink.
3. When the icing is rock hard, use colored edible markers and a ruler to draw blue lines and a red margin so the cookie looks like a small sheet of paper. Adults should draw the lines for very young children, who can then add their wish lists.
4. Arrange the finished cookies on a plate next to a cold mug of milk and a festive straw for Santa.
5. Decorate extra cookies with sprinkles, swirls, holly, and gift designs to create a festive platter.

Christmas Cookie Design Ideas

• Wish-list cookie: draw blue horizontal lines and a red margin, then write the list with a black edible pen.
• Peppermint swirl: use alternating red and white icing and top with clear sugar crystals.
• Gift packages: pipe square presents, add dots for texture, and a bold red bow.
• Heart chains: create alternating red and green lines and drag a skewer to form connected heart shapes.
• Holly and berries: use green leaves and red dot berries for classic holiday accents.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes

Try other festive favorites like peppermint chocolate chip cookies, shortbread with peppermint and macadamia, or a quick peppermint candy plate. These treats are great for cookie exchanges, holiday platters, and sharing with friends and family.