Cheerful Caroler Cookies Recipe for Festive Joy
Spread holiday cheer with these Cheerful Caroler Cookies! These festive cookies are soft, buttery, and decorated with vibrant icing, making them perfect for celebrating the season. Shaped like carolers or other fun holiday designs, they’re as delightful to decorate as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing a batch for a cookie exchange, these colorful treats bring a touch of whimsy and joy to your holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
For the Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder
- 2–3 tablespoons water
- Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Mix the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and light. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, then mix until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
3️⃣ Roll and cut the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters (carolers, stars, or trees) to cut out shapes.
4️⃣ Bake the cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5️⃣ Prepare the icing: In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth. Divide the icing into separate bowls and color each with gel food coloring.
6️⃣ Decorate the cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, use the icing to decorate them with carolers, holiday motifs, or your favorite festive designs. Allow the icing to set for 30 minutes.
7️⃣ Serve and enjoy: Serve your Cheerful Caroler Cookies as a festive treat or package them for gift-giving. These colorful cookies are sure to brighten any holiday gathering!
Notes
- If you don’t have meringue powder, you can substitute it with egg whites, but the icing may not be as stiff.
- For a fun twist, add sprinkles or edible glitter to the decorated cookies for extra sparkle.
- These cookies freeze well—store them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Keywords: cheerful caroler cookies, holiday sugar cookies, decorated Christmas cookies, Christmas cookie decorating, festive cookies