Introduction
Snowflake sugar cookies are one of the most beloved treats of the holiday season, offering a beautiful blend of creativity, flavor, and festive charm. These easy snowflake sugar cookies are perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, bringing the joy of decorating to any winter celebration. Whether you are preparing them for a cookie exchange, gifting them to friends, or making them just for fun, snowflake sugar cookies allow you to experiment with intricate icing designs while creating something delicious. Because the keyword snowflake sugar cookies is searched frequently during the holidays, this guide provides a reliable and detailed look at how to make them with royal icing for a flawless finish. Snowflake sugar cookies make a wonderful addition to any Christmas dessert spread and can be customized with blue, white, pastel, or colorful icing depending on your style.
Table of Contents
Snowflake Sugar Cookies (Easy Snowflake Sugar Cookies Guide)
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Soft, buttery snowflake sugar cookies decorated with smooth royal icing for a festive winter look.
Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, gifting, or seasonal baking sessions.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Royal Icing:
4 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
6 tablespoons water (more as needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Gel food coloring as desired
Instructions
1. Beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix until combined.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients to form a smooth dough.
5. Divide dough into two disks, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut snowflake shapes.
8. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes until edges are just set; cool completely.
9. Prepare royal icing by mixing powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until stiff peaks form.
10. Thin icing for flooding as needed and tint with gel food coloring.
11. Outline cookies with thicker icing, then flood with thinner icing.
12. Add decorative details and allow cookies to dry fully, preferably overnight.
Notes
Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading.
Use gel food coloring for bright, clean colors.
Allow icing to dry completely before storing or stacking.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Below is a clear and organized list of all the ingredients needed for both the cookies and the icing.
Cookie Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Large eggs | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Almond extract (optional) | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
Royal Icing Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 4 cups |
| Meringue powder | 3 tablespoons |
| Water | 6 tablespoons (more as needed) |
| Gel food coloring | As desired |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
Step-by-Step Instructions and Helpful Tips
Begin by making the cookie dough, starting with softened butter and sugar. Beat these together until light and fluffy, which helps create a smooth dough that is easy to roll. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract if using, then mix until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this dry mixture gradually to the wet mixture, forming a firm but manageable dough. Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap tightly, and chill for at least one hour. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading and ensures clean snowflake shapes.
After chilling, preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters of various sizes to create a visually interesting assortment. Transfer the shapes to the baking sheets, leaving space between them. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are just turning golden. Do not overbake, as snowflake sugar cookies should remain soft and tender. Allow the cookies to cool completely before icing.
To prepare the royal icing, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a large bowl. Beat the mixture until stiff peaks form, then adjust with small amounts of water to reach your desired consistency. For outlining, royal icing should be slightly thick. For flooding, thin it enough so that it settles smoothly over the surface of the cookie within a few seconds. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring. Blue, white, and pastel shades are especially popular for snowflake icing cookies.
Begin decorating by outlining the edges of each cookie. Allow the outline to set briefly before adding the flooding icing inside, using a toothpick or scribe tool to guide it to the edges. For easy snowflake cookie decorating, add patterns such as lines, dots, and delicate geometric designs while the icing is still wet for a blended look, or wait for it to dry if you want crisp details. Using pastel icing provides a soft winter aesthetic, while blue tones create classic Christmas cookies with blue icing. Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely, preferably overnight, for the icing to harden fully.
Helpful Tips:
To keep the cookies soft, avoid rolling them too thin. If you prefer clean, intricate designs, use piping bags with small round tips. When making easy flooded Christmas cookies, shake the cookie gently after flooding to release air bubbles. For a sparkling touch, add edible glitter or sanding sugar before the icing sets. If making snowflake-shaped cookies with colorful icing, consider preparing a few contrasting colors to layer details and create depth. The royal icing dries best in a low-humidity environment, so avoid baking or decorating on particularly damp days if possible.
Conclusion
Snowflake sugar cookies combine creativity, tradition, and a touch of winter magic into each beautifully decorated treat. With simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, these cookies can be as easy or elaborate as you choose. Whether decorating with pastel colors, bold blues, or pure white icing, these cookies bring joy to holiday gatherings and make festive baking even more special. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or gifting, snowflake sugar cookies with royal icing remain a timeless seasonal favorite that encourages artistic expression and delicious results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I keep snowflake sugar cookies from spreading?
Chill the dough thoroughly and avoid overmixing the butter to ensure snowflake sugar cookies hold their shape.
2. Can I make snowflake sugar cookies ahead of time?
Yes, both the dough and baked cookies freeze well, making snowflake sugar cookies perfect for preparing in advance.
3. What icing is best for decorating snowflake sugar cookies?
Royal icing is ideal because it dries firm and smooth, allowing detailed designs on snowflake sugar cookies.
4. How long should the icing dry before storing the cookies?
Let the icing on snowflake sugar cookies dry overnight for the best results and safe storing.