Christmas Lights Cookies
Light up your holidays with these adorable Christmas Lights Cookies. These colorful delights are so super simple that you’ll want to gather the kids and whip up a batch or two for a festive addition to a Christmas cookie platter.
The cookie dough consists of basic ingredients found in most pantries. Top them off with Royal Icing for a special, traditional look, and garnish with a bit of black icing and M&Ms. I think you’ll agree that these cookies will become a holiday staple in your home.
What are Christmas Light Cookies?
Christmas Light Cookies are a fun twist on a classic cookie recipe. While store-bought frosting may work, the extra effort needed to make a batch of Royal Icing gives this cookie a beautiful, old fashion appeal that you can’t get from a store.
To create the light strings, use black icing made with food coloring or purchase a store-bought tube. The bulbs are just traditional colored M&M candies.
How Do I Store Christmas Light Cookies?
Cookies keep best in an airtight container on the counter since the fridge tends to dry them out quickly. Enjoy them for up to 5 days, if they last that long!
Can I Freeze Christmas Light Cookies?
To freeze frosted cookies, it is always a good idea to freeze them on a cookie tray first. They don’t stick together if you individually wrap them and you’ll preserve the icing decoration. Transfer them to an airtight container to enjoy within three months. Unwrap cookies immediately after taking them out of the freezer. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy!
Can I Make a Variation of these Christmas Light Cookies?
Absolutely! This basic cookie dough is easy and only takes a few minutes to whip up. That makes it a perfect starter for any holiday cookie baking or as an anytime family treat.
Tips for Making Christmas Light Cookies
- As with any cookies, using a portion scoop makes your cookies uniform in size and helps with even baking.
- Letting your ingredients sit out at room temperature helps them to blend more efficiently for better cookies, especially butter and eggs.
- Parchment paper is your friend. Not only does it help to keep your cookies from burning by creating a barrier between your cookies and the pan, and it makes cleaning up super simple.
Recommended
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Coffee House Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies
Notes
- Rotating the pan ½ way through baking helps ensure evenly baked cookies. Try not to keep the oven door open very long!
- Resist the urge to remove the cookies from the baking pan too quickly, or they may break.
- After about 3 minutes, transfer your cookies to a cooling rack to fully cool before frosting and decorating them.
Substitutions
- Corn Syrup – use honey, light molasses, or maple syrup instead of corn syrup in equal proportions
- Butter – swap out butter for margarine if desired
- M&Ms – you can use other colorful candies as well
More Yummy Seasonal Recipes You’ll Enjoy
If you like this fun Christmas Light Cookie recipe, you’ll want to try some of our other easy seasonal treats! Try any from the list below.
Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree
Gingerbread Loaf Recipe
Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Easy Hanukkah Cookies
No Bake Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake
Christmas Lights Cookies
Light up your holidays with these adorable Christmas Light Cookies.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup of butter
- 1 egg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
Royal Icing:
- 1 and ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp light corn syrup
- 2.5 tbsp room temp water
- Pinch of sea salt
Topping:
- Black icing
- Toothpick
- Bag of M&Ms, traditional colors
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F.
- Microwave the butter for 30-45 seconds to melt it.
- Add all dry ingredients into a bowl and combine well.
- Add in the egg and melted butter and mix. The dough should be thick but not sticky.
- Roll the cookies into 2-3 tbsp-sized balls and place them on a cookie sheet.
- Cook at 325F for 12-15 minutes. Cookies will only brown around the bottom edges.
- Let cool completely.
- Combine all royal icing ingredients in a bowl.
- Once the cookies are cooled, use a large spoon to start the icing in the center of the cookie. Leave room around the edges for a classic look!
- Gently shake the cookie to even out the icing. Let the iced cookies sit for a minimum of five minutes. A shell should form from the icing.
- Using a toothpick or tube of black icing, draw lines on your cookie as the Christmas light string.
- Add colorful M&Ms around the black line to add your lights. Enjoy!