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Sugar Cookies for Kids: American Christmas Treats with Fun Decorations

Written by Deepali Verma | Dec 24, 2024 7:00:00 AM

The festive season is about celebrating, happiness, and sharing special moments with the loved ones. Few things match the joys of baking at Christmas for the kids. Nothing is as fun as the scent of cookies baked fresh from the oven and the process of decorating them, equal to the festive itself. For American homes, sugar cookies are an inevitable part of Christmas and bring such delight to the scene.

They are easy to prepare and super versatile. But what makes them even more special is the role they play in creativity—kids can cut, shape, and decorate them in so many ways. Whether in the form of candy canes or snowmen, sugar cookies can be an adorable expression of holiday cheer. Beyond the taste of sugar cookies, the activity of baking them becomes a memory cherished by families. Make this Christmas a little magical by turning your kitchen into a wonderland of cookie decorating.

Why Make Sugar Cookies for Kids?

Sugar cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they're an experience. These cookies offer the perfect way for kids to immerse themselves in the festive spirit. Their soft yet sturdy texture makes them ideal for cutting into shapes that kids love—stars, Christmas trees, reindeer, and more.

Decorating sugar cookies can be an exciting in-door activity during the holidays, while it can also spark creativity. Using the icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter, kids transform each cookie into a miniature art piece. The process is so much fun, yet allows for motor skills and art exploration.

Sugar cookies are also wonderfully customizable, allowing you to adapt recipes for dietary preferences. Whether you add a hint of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla, this will always create magic. This family-friendly activity fosters a connection and leaves everyone with delicious memories to share.

Recipe for Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp milk

Method

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and beat until combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out cookies. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool cookies completely before decorating.

10 Fun Ways to Make Sugar Cookies for Kids: How to Decorate Them

Sugar Candy Cane Cookies

Shape your sugar cookie dough into small candy canes before baking. Once baked and cooled, decorate them with alternating red and white icing. Kids will love recreating the iconic Christmas treat in cookie form.

Snowman Sugar Cookies

Use circle cookie cutters to bake snowman-shaped cookies. Decorate with white icing for the body and black for the buttons and eyes. Add an orange icing carrot nose for a touch of fun!

Christmas Tree Sprinkles

Cut cookies into Christmas tree shapes. When cooled, let the kids douse them with green frosting and sprinkle edible stars or sugar for ornaments.

Glittering Snowflakes

Use your cutter to cut intricate cookies in the shape of a snowflake. Dole them out with royal icing along with edible glitter so it sparkles like real ice.

Reindeer Face

Use round cookie cutters and decorate them as reindeer faces. Add red candy for Rudolph’s nose and chocolate chips for the eyes. Use pretzels as antlers for an adorable touch.

Cookie Ornaments

Bake cookies with a small hole near the top. After decorating with icing and sprinkles, thread a ribbon through the hole. These edible ornaments can hang on your tree before being eaten!

Santa Hats

Cut the cookies into triangular shapes and decorate as Santa hats. Red icing makes the hat, and white icing or coconut flakes create the trim and pom-pom, all coming together to create a fun look.

Gingerbread People

Bake sugar cookies in gingerbread shapes and let the kids create clothing, faces, and accessories using colored icing. This is a fun spin on traditional gingerbread cookies.

Holiday Emoji Cookies

Turn sugar cookies into holiday emojis. Use the base being yellow icing and add other festive facial expressions, whether through using edible markers or icing pens, in the form of winking Santas, laughing snowmen, etc.

Custom Name Cookies

Encourage children to spell their names with alphabet cookie cutters. When baked, have them decorate each letter to resemble their favorite colors and designs for a personalized Christmas treat.