Christmas Light Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Published on September 12, 2023

, Updated on September 22, 2023

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This Christmas Light Cookies are so fun to make. Sugar cookies are topped with icing and decorated with mini M&M’s for the perfect holiday cookie.

Close up image of Christmas Light cookies stacked on a baking sheet

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Easy Christmas Light Cookies Recipe:

We love making special cookies for the holidays. These Christmas Light Cookies are fun and festive and the perfect holiday party cookie. Host a cookie decorating party and let everyone decorate their own.

I love that these sugar cookies are made from scratch and topped with a homemade icing. Your kids will love decorating these cookies and creating their own designs.

Gather the supplies to decorate the cookies for a fun and festive dessert. Make memories with your family and decorate these cookies for a new holiday tradition.

Close up image of Christmas Light cookies stacked

Simple Ingredients – If you are a baker, you probably already have the majority of the supplies. We love how soft these cookies and baked with a crispy texture.
The Perfect Holiday Cookie – We love when the holidays roll around so we can begin all of our holiday baking. This cookie is one of our favorites to make because of the easy designs.
Make Ahead – You can easily prepare these sugar cookies ahead of time so they are ready to decorate. It makes the perfect cookie for a cookie exchange party or your dessert tray.

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

For the Cookies:

All Purpose Flour
Unsalted Butter (softened)
Vanilla
Egg
Baking Powder
Salt

Make the Icing:

Egg Whites
Powdered Sugar
Cream of Tartar

For the Decorations:

Black Writing Gel
Mini M&Ms

How to Make Christmas Light Cookies:

For the Cookies:

Step 1 – Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2 – Beat Butter – Beat together the butter with the sugar. Beat with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer until creamy and combined in large bowl.
Step 3 – Add Egg – Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Then mix until combined in a mixing bowl.
Step 4 – Mix Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Step 5 – Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients – Slow stir the dry ingredients until the wet ingredients until combined.

Step 6 – Cover the dough – Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Step 7 – Heat Oven – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 8 – Roll the Dough – Roll the cookie dough into 1 inch balls. Then place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Step 9 – Bake Cookies – Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges of the cookies start to brown slightly.
Step 10 – Cool Cookies – Remove from the oven. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then move them to wire rack to cool completely.

How to Make the Icing:

Step 1 – Mix Icing – Mix the icing ingredients together in a small bowl. Mix on medium high speed for 4 minutes until well combined. Add more powdered sugar if the icing is not thick enough.

Step 2 – Frost Cookies – Frost the cookies with the white icing. Then let them sit for 30-45 minutes until the icing is set.
Step 3 – Draw Lines – Use the black writing gel to make lines back and forth. Make across the cookies to resemble the strings for the lights.
Step 4 – Top with Mini M&Ms – Then place the mini M&Ms on the cookies (sideways). So that they appear like lights on the cookies.

Step 5 – Serve and Enjoy – Once all the frosting is set, the cookies are ready to serve and enjoy.

How to Decorate Christmas Light Cookies:

This holidays seasonal cookies is perfect for Christmas. They are easy to decorate so even the littlest hands can decorate them. You can easily use black food coloring with white frosting to make black frosting.

This can be used to decorate these light and fluffy cookies instead of the homemade icing.

Decorate the cookie by using a piping bag. This is to easily draw the lines or you can use black icing to draw the lines.

Close up image of Christmas Light cookies stacked on a platter

Christmas Light Sugar Cookies Recipe Tips:

Prepare Baking Sheets – Make sure to line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Before placing the cookie doughs on the baking sheet.
Room Temperature Ingredients – To avoid the lumps in the cookie dough, make sure to use room temperature butter.
Mixing Ingredients – Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. If using a stand mixer we recommend using a paddle attachment. Blend completely by combining the wet and dry ingredients completely.

Variation Ideas:

Frosting – Feel free to use different types of frosting to frost the cookies. You can even use store bought frosting for quick and easy way to decorate the cookies.
Sprinkles – You can use sprinkles instead of mini M&M’s to decorate the cookies if you prefer.
Decorating the Cookies – We love the black icing to make the lines. But you can use a piping bag or other designs.

How to Freeze Christmas Light Cookies:

Freezing cookies can either be frozen either plain or decorated. If freezing the cookies decorated, they should be completely set before freezing. They will last up to 3 months if stored properly inside a freezer container.

Another option is to freeze the dough before baking. I prefer to roll into balls before freezing. Just be sure to add a layer of parchment paper so the dough does not stick.

When ready to use, allow to thaw in the fridge the night before. Then allow the cookies to come to room temperature before baking. Bake as normal once thawed.