• Our Home
    • Kitchen
    • home office
    • dinette
    • Seasonal
  • Home Build & Sources
    • paint colors
    • Floors
    • windows
    • exterior
    • lighting
  • Everyday Living
    • Entertaining
    • Family
    • Recipes
    • DIY
  • SHOP
    • Shop my LTK
    • My Amazon Favorites
    • SHOP MY CURRENT FAVORITES
    • My Favorite Home Stores
  • JANSEN HOME

KATE KNOWLES HOME

Holiday Recipes

Our Favorite Christmas Sugar Cookies and Icing Recipe

December 13, 2020
Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home
Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home
Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home
Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home

One of our favorite things to do as a family during the holiday season is bake Christmas sugar cookies together. I have the boys help me roll out the dough and pick out what cookie cutters they want to use. I like to do most of the frosting, but I do I leave a few out for them to decorate on their own, too.

My sisters and I have been making these Christmas sugar cookies for a few years now and we believe it is truly the best recipe! We were in search of a recipe that was equally both delicious and beautifully decorated. We got this recipe from our friend Hannah’s grandmother, Marianne Nicola. Thank you, Hannah, for sharing your grandmother’s recipe with us!

The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies and Icing Recipe

Ingredients

COOKIES

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
saran wrap

ICING

4 1/2 – 5 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract

Directions

Cookies

First beat the butter and sugar together.  Then add the eggs and vanilla (or almond extract).  Mix in the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt.  Wrap the dough into two sections with the saran wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.  

When ready to roll out, take out each section one at a time. Roll to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut and place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Let cookies cool on a cooling rack. Makes about 18  cookies. 

Icing

Mix 4 1/2 – 5 cups of powdered sugar with 1/2 cup milk, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla (or almond extract) together. Separate into bowls and add gel food coloring, as needed. Place into separate piping bags. Outline the cookie leaving a space along the edge so the frosting doesn’t run off. Then fill in the rest of the cookie. Once the base layer dries, add the details with other colors. For the finishing touch add embellishments like edible pearls or edible pearl dust.

Notes

This recipe is from Hannah Shares’ grandmother, Marianne Nicola.
** Tip: I like to double the recipe and bake all my cookies at once, then freeze them in ziplock bags. I save the frosting step for later when it is closer to Christmas.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Decorations

Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home

I like to use tipless bags to pipe on the icing. They are so easy to use and disposable, which means no mess to clean up! First, outline the cookie in the main color you are going to use, and then fill it in with that same color. Then when when it dries, add details with other colors or edible pearls. Last, use a dry pastry brush and brush on edible pearl dust. It adds such a pretty, special touch!

Tools I used for our cookies:
– Gel Food Coloring (this is important! Do not use the watered down kind at the grocery store)
– Tipless icing bags
– Edible pearls
– Pastry Brush Set
– Edible Pearl Dust

Christmas Sugar Cookie Tools | Kate Knowles Home
Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home
Christmas Sugar Cookies | Kate Knowles Home

SHOP THE POST

Other posts you might enjoy:

Holiday Gift Guides

Our Home Decorated for Christmas

Related

TAGS:christmasChristmas cookiesChristmas sugar cookiesHolidayrecipesugar cookies
Share

You May Also Like

Summer Entertaining Menu

August 15, 2017

Shopping Small this Holiday Season: A List of Omaha Stores & Small Businesses

November 16, 2020

Holiday Gift Guides 2020

November 15, 2020

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

Previous Post
A Holiday Home Tour with Neutral Christmas Decorations
Next Post
Where I source affordable shelf decor + how to style built-ins

hi, i'm kate
Meet Kate

Meet Kate

Welcome to my blog! Started in 2017 as an outlet for my love of home design, Kate Knowles Home has become a place to document our home journey and lifestyle. My blog is a culmination of all the things I love, shared with you. My hope is that you find inspiration here and thoughtfully decorate your spaces with beautiful, livable style.

SHOP MY HOME

Read the Latest

  • My Light Blue Home Office

    January 8, 2022
  • 3 Reasons Why We Chose James Hardie for our Shingle Style Home

    January 4, 2022
  • Easy, Affordable, and Chic Halloween Decor

    November 7, 2021

SHOP JANSEN HOME

Let's Work Together

I value partnering with brands that inspire me and enjoy highlighting products that elevate our homes and everyday life. If you would like to work together, let's get in touch.

GET IN TOUCH

  • Happy May Day! 🌸 Spring is in full bloom here in Nebraska — lush, bright, and buzzing with life. As the season will soon lean into summer, this is a reminder to take in the beauty around you 💗

Save this reel for planting ideas next spring!

All of our landscaping was designed and installed by @kinghorngardens 💜

#landscapingideas #omahanebraska #classichome #traditionalhome
  • 4 features in our laundry room I would 100% do again. Is there anything you would add?

Comment SHOP to get links to similar drying racks and the rolling basket in our laundry room. 

#laundryroom #checkeredfloor #homedesignideas #classichome
  • I’m often asked about our gravel walkway— specifically what type of pea gravel we used. I love the texture and character the crushed granite brings to the space. What do you think? Would you add gravel to your hardscape areas?

#peagravel #landscaping #landscapingdesign #classichome
  • Last week I gave a tour of our boys bathrooms in stories. Comment SHOP for a link to all of their fixtures, mirrors, and bathroom accessories 💙

Navy blue bathroom:
Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, semigloss sheen
Leather pulls and handles: discontinued, check Makelinedesigns.com for similar

White Oak Bathroom:
White Oak stain color: custom to match our wood floors 

Design: @ericabryantdesign 
📸: @mandymcgregorphoto 

#ltkhome #boysbathroom #bathroomdesigns #bathroominspo
  • Over the past few months, we’ve been working with @ericabryantdesign on our basement project. Now we’re onto the fun part—the design elements being installed! Follow along as it all comes together 💙

#basementremodel #ralphlaurenstyle #traditionalhome #classichome
  • Did I miss anything?? Let me know if you have any other questions!

Comment SHOP for links to our dining table, chairs, and light fixture ✨

#diningroomdesign #diningroominspo #dinette #breakfastroom
  • Lately I’ve been mixing old and new in our kitchen. I love pieces that tell a story, and even just a few vintage finds make it feel more thoughtful and collected. 

Comment SHOP for some of my favorite kitchen pieces. 

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenstyling #whitekitchen
  • If you’re new here, welcome! Thank you for being here ✨💓
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
Happy May Day! 🌸 Spring is in full bloom here in Nebraska — lush, bright, and buzzing with life. As the season will soon lean into summer, this is a reminder to take in the beauty around you 💗 Save this reel for planting ideas next spring! All of our landscaping was designed and installed by @kinghorngardens 💜 #landscapingideas #omahanebraska #classichome #traditionalhome
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
1/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
4 features in our laundry room I would 100% do again. Is there anything you would add? Comment SHOP to get links to similar drying racks and the rolling basket in our laundry room. #laundryroom #checkeredfloor #homedesignideas #classichome
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
I’m often asked about our gravel walkway— specifically what type of pea gravel we used. I love the texture and character the crushed granite brings to the space. What do you think? Would you add gravel to your hardscape areas? #peagravel #landscaping #landscapingdesign #classichome
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
Last week I gave a tour of our boys bathrooms in stories. Comment SHOP for a link to all of their fixtures, mirrors, and bathroom accessories 💙 Navy blue bathroom: Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, semigloss sheen Leather pulls and handles: discontinued, check Makelinedesigns.com for similar White Oak Bathroom: White Oak stain color: custom to match our wood floors Design: @ericabryantdesign 📸: @mandymcgregorphoto #ltkhome #boysbathroom #bathroomdesigns #bathroominspo
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
Over the past few months, we’ve been working with @ericabryantdesign on our basement project. Now we’re onto the fun part—the design elements being installed! Follow along as it all comes together 💙 #basementremodel #ralphlaurenstyle #traditionalhome #classichome
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
Did I miss anything?? Let me know if you have any other questions! Comment SHOP for links to our dining table, chairs, and light fixture ✨ #diningroomdesign #diningroominspo #dinette #breakfastroom
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
Lately I’ve been mixing old and new in our kitchen. I love pieces that tell a story, and even just a few vintage finds make it feel more thoughtful and collected. Comment SHOP for some of my favorite kitchen pieces. #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenstyling #whitekitchen
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
@kateknowleshome
@kateknowleshome
•
Follow
If you’re new here, welcome! Thank you for being here ✨💓
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/8

  • ABOUT KATE
  • PRESS
  • CONTACT
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • JANSEN HOME

Copyright © 2025 KATE KNOWLES HOME. All Rights Reserved.Site Powered by Pix & Hue.

 

Loading Comments...