Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies

A closeup shot of an iced ornament sugar cookie.

5 from 4 votes

Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies

These Christmas Lights Sugar Cookies start with the best chewy sugar cookies and are then topped with a powdered sugar icing plus simple decorations. Add a dusting of powdered sugar for that winter wonderland feeling!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword best chewy sugar cookies, Christmas lights sugar cookies

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 12

Total Time 57

Servings cookies

Calories 311kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

For the sugar cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter - softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg - at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the icing:

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter - melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons half and half
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar - more or less - to desired consistency

For decorations:

4 oz. melting dark chocolate
1/2 cup mini m&ms - halved
a light dusting of powdered sugar - optional

Instructions

For the sugar cookies:

In a large standing mixer, cream the butter and sugars together. Add the egg and vanilla and mix.
1 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar) to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Use a cookie scoop to form cookie balls and place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Refrigerator for at least two hours to chill.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cookie balls on baking sheets lined with parchment paper (about six on one pan).
Bake each batch for approximately 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown on top.
Let cookies cool slightly before removing to baking sheets to cool completely.

For decorating:

Make icing. Melt the butter in medium bowl. Add vanilla and half and half and stir. Add powdered sugar and use a hand mixer to combine well. Adjust as needed for desired consistency.
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 Tablespoons half and half, 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Add icing. Spread a thin layer of icing to each cooled sugar cookie.
Draw Christmas light strings. Place melting chocolate in a glass dish. Melt in microwave at 50% power until creamy. Add the chocolate to a small bag. Clip off the tip of the bag and carefully draw the strings across each cookie.
4 oz. melting dark chocolate
Add lights. Then push the halved m&ms into the cookies as soon as the chocolate is added to each cookie (before the chocolate sets). Add a light dusting of powdered sugar to the cookies.
1/2 cup mini m&ms, a light dusting of powdered sugar
Let cookies sit on wire racks so the frosting sets up completely.

Notes

I suggest baking the sugar cookies and then freezing them. Then take them out of the freezer, let thaw slightly, and decorate for your holiday platters.
You can also fully decorate these and do a quick freeze. Just place them on baking sheets in single layers, freeze for 30-40 minutes, and then stack and freeze for later.
Instead of using the melting chocolate for the "strings", you could use some icing and use food coloring to dye it.
Another option is to add food coloring to the icing for different colored backgrounds. The sky if the limit.

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