Holiday Cookies with Icing

Featured in: Weekend Home-Bake Treats

These holiday cookies feature a classic buttery dough, rolled into perfect rounds and baked until lightly golden. Once cooled, they're adorned with a smooth icing drizzle made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, lending a sweet, festive touch. Optional food coloring or sprinkles add extra holiday cheer. With simple ingredients and easy steps, these cookies make delightful treats for celebrations or gifting, storing well at room temperature for up to a week.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:01:00 GMT
Buttery round holiday cookies with a colorful icing drizzle, perfect for a festive treat. Save
Buttery round holiday cookies with a colorful icing drizzle, perfect for a festive treat. | wheatsprig.com

Classic, buttery round cookies with a sweet, festive icing drizzle—perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.

Ingredients

  • Cookie Dough: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened, 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
  • Icing Drizzle: 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, 2 3 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

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Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3:
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 6:
Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Step 7:
Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm to form rounds.
Step 8:
Bake for 10 12 minutes, or until edges are just lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9:
For the icing: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzle-able. Add food coloring if desired.
Step 10:
Drizzle icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Allow icing to set before serving.
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Blend smoothies, sauces, dips, and prep ingredients quickly for fast meals and everyday cooking.
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Blend smoothies, sauces, dips, and prep ingredients quickly for fast meals and everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Freshly baked holiday cookies showcasing a sweet icing drizzle, ready for sharing and enjoyment. Save
Freshly baked holiday cookies showcasing a sweet icing drizzle, ready for sharing and enjoyment. | wheatsprig.com

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, Electric mixer or whisk, Baking sheets, Parchment paper, Wire rack, Spoon or piping bag

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), egg, milk (dairy). Double-check all ingredients for traces of nuts or other allergens if needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120 Total Fat: 6 g Carbohydrates: 15 g Protein: 1 g

Warm, golden holiday cookies, topped with a beautiful drizzle of icing, ideal for gifting. Save
Warm, golden holiday cookies, topped with a beautiful drizzle of icing, ideal for gifting. | wheatsprig.com
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Recipe Q&A

What ingredients create the cookie dough?

The dough combines unsalted butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt for a rich, tender texture.

How is the icing drizzle prepared?

The icing is made by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzle-able; food coloring can be added for festive colors.

What is the best way to shape the cookies?

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, place on baking sheets with spacing, then gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or palm to form rounds.

How long do the cookies bake?

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden, then cool before adding the icing.

Can I add any variations to these cookies?

Yes, for extra flavor, add lemon or orange zest to the dough or festive sprinkles on the icing before it sets.

Holiday Cookies with Icing

Buttery round cookies topped with a sweet, festive icing drizzle for festive occasions.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
12 min
Overall Time
32 min
Recipe By Riley Scott


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 24 Number of Servings

Diet Details Meat-Free

What You’ll Need

Cookie Dough

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 1 large egg
04 2 tsp vanilla extract
05 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 1/2 tsp baking powder
07 1/4 tsp salt

Icing Drizzle

01 1 cup powdered sugar
02 2 to 3 tbsp milk
03 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
04 Food coloring (optional)

Method

Step 01

Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 03

Incorporate egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

Step 05

Form dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 06

Shape cookie rounds: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and space them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball gently with the bottom of a glass or palm to form rounds.

Step 07

Bake cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 08

Prepare icing drizzle: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzleable. Add food coloring if desired.

Step 09

Apply icing: Drizzle the icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Allow the icing to set before serving.

What You’ll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Spoon or piping bag

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy.

Nutritional info (per portion)

This data is just a guideline and shouldn’t replace medical input.
  • Energy (kcal): 120
  • Fat Content: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 1 g