Festive Christmas Lights Cookies – A Holiday Delight

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by Emma Taylor

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The holidays are a magical time, filled with laughter, joy, and an undeniable urge to eat cookies that look like they belong on a Christmas tree. Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles that resemble twinkling lights. Christmas Fruitcake Cookies That’s right—Christmas Lights Cookies are not just a treat; they’re the star of your holiday dessert table, bringing cheer and sweetness to every gathering. Colorful Chocolate Chip Cookies. For more inspiration, check out this double chocolate cookies recipe.

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Every year, my family gathers for a cookie-baking marathon that often ends up resembling a scene from a festive comedy. Flour flies everywhere as we attempt to decorate our Christmas Lights Cookies, and let me tell you, the end result is more chaotic than charming. Peppermint Swirl Cookies But hey, isn’t that what makes the holidays memorable? The laughter, the frosting fights, and those cookies that look like they’ve seen better days but taste absolutely divine.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • These Christmas Lights Cookies are incredibly easy to prepare, making them perfect for bakers of all levels
  • Their vibrant colors and playful design make them visually stunning on any holiday table
  • Each bite offers a delightful balance of sweetness and buttery flavor that will leave you wanting more
  • They’re versatile enough to be customized with your favorite flavors or decorations!

I still remember the first time I made these cookies with my niece. She was so excited about decorating each cookie that she ended up with more frosting on her face than on the cookies!

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful cookies:

  • All-Purpose Flour: Use a good-quality flour for structure; it’s key for achieving the perfect cookie texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is crucial to create that melt-in-your-mouth goodness we all crave.
  • Granulated Sugar: This sweetener adds just the right amount of sweetness; don’t skimp on it!
  • Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • Baking Powder: This is your secret ingredient for fluffy cookies; make sure it’s fresh!
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla will elevate the flavor—trust me, skip the imitation stuff if you can!

For the Frosting:

  • Powdered Sugar: Essential for creating that luscious frosting; sift it first to avoid lumps.
  • Milk: Adjust this ingredient for desired frosting consistency; start with a little and add more if needed.
  • Food Coloring: Get creative! Bright colors will make your cookies pop like real Christmas lights.
  • Sprinkles (optional): Add festive sprinkles for extra flair—because who doesn’t love sprinkles?

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Recipe preparation

Let’s Make it together

Prepare the Dough: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time while mixing well after each addition.

Add Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients until combined; don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tough cookies!

Chill and Roll Out Dough: Wrap your dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking.

Cut Out Shapes : On a floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes of light bulbs or any fun design you prefer.

Bake Cookies: Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely before decorating.

Create Frosting & Decorate : In a bowl, mix powdered sugar with milk until smooth. Divide into separate bowls and tint with food coloring as desired. Get creative—frost those cookies like they are glowing lights on your tree!

Now you have beautiful Christmas Lights Cookies ready to spread holiday cheer! Enjoy these delightful treats as you gather around with family and friends during this joyous season. Grinch Sugar Cookies.

You Must Know

  • These Christmas Lights Cookies are not only festive but also easy to make
  • The vibrant colors and delicious flavors will light up your holiday gatherings
  • Perfect for sharing or leaving out for Santa, they are sure to bring smiles all around!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Mix dry ingredients separately, then incorporate them into the wet mixture for an even distribution of flavors.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract or add sprinkles for extra fun. You can even use different types of chocolate chips.

Storing & Reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Reheat briefly in the microwave for a soft, gooey treat.

Chef's Helpful Tips

  • To achieve perfect Christmas Lights Cookies, always use room temperature butter for a smoother dough
  • Be careful not to overmix as this can lead to tough cookies
  • Chilling the dough helps them keep their shape while baking

I remember the first time I made these cookies; my daughter insisted on decorating them with every color of icing we had. They turned into a beautiful, albeit chaotic, masterpiece that left us laughing and covered in sprinkles.

FAQ

Can I make these Christmas Lights Cookies gluten-free?

For more inspiration, check out this thick and chewy caramel cookies recipe.

Yes, simply substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.

How long do these cookies last?

Stored properly, they can last up to one week at room temperature.

What frosting works best for decorating?

Royal icing is ideal as it hardens quickly and holds its shape beautifully.

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

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Christmas Lights Cookies

Christmas Lights Cookies


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  • Author: Emma Taylor
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x

Description

Get ready to spread holiday cheer with these vibrant Christmas Lights Cookies! Perfectly soft and buttery, these festive treats are adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles that mimic twinkling lights. Easy to make and fun for the whole family, they’ll be the highlight of your holiday dessert table. Enjoy decorating and indulging in these delicious cookies that bring joy to every gathering!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
  • Food coloring (various colors)
  • Festive sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
  3. In another bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. Gradually add to wet ingredients until just combined; do not overmix.
  4. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for about 30 minutes.
  5. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  6. Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely before decorating.
  7. For frosting, mix powdered sugar with milk until smooth. Divide into bowls, tint with food coloring as desired, and decorate cookies.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: <1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

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