Name: Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional); 3 cups powdered sugar (for Royal Icing); 2-3 tablespoons meringue powder; 4-5 tablespoons water (adjust as needed); Red gel food coloring; Red sanding sugar; White sanding sugar; Pink & black nonpareils (for cheeks & eyes); Small red candies or mini M&Ms (Santa’s nose); Piping bags with small round tips

Santa festive Christmas sugar cookies bring magic right to your kitchen counter.

Colorful sprinkles and sweet frosting make these treats impossible to resist.

Crafting delightful Santa suit designs requires minimal baking skills and maximum creativity.

Soft, buttery dough becomes the perfect canvas for adorable holiday characters.

Red and white icing transforms simple sugar cookies into charming Santa figures.

Kids and adults alike will squeal with delight when decorating these whimsical treats.

Gather your baking buddies and unleash your inner pastry artist for an unforgettable Christmas adventure.

Craft Holiday Magic: Transform simple sugar cookies into adorable Santa-themed treats that spark joy and Christmas spirit for all ages.
Customize with Ease: Decorate these cookies with minimal skills, using basic piping techniques and colorful sugars to create professional-looking Santa designs.
Quick Family Fun: Engage kids and adults in a delightful baking and decorating activity that creates memorable holiday moments together.
Festive Gift Potential: Package these charming Santa cookies as heartwarming homemade gifts that spread cheer to neighbors, teachers, and loved ones.

Main Ingredients:

Butter Ingredients:

Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden cookie surface.

Liquid Ingredients:

Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, warm flavor to the cookie dough.
Almond Extract: Offers a subtle, nutty background flavor (optional).

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the sugar cookie, creating a soft and crumbly texture.
Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and tender.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie.

Decorating Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar: The base for creating smooth, glossy royal icing.
Meringue Powder: Provides stability and helps the royal icing set properly.
Water: Helps create the right consistency for the royal icing.

Decorative Toppings:

Red Sanding Sugar, White Sanding Sugar: Adds sparkle and texture to the decorated cookies.
Red Nonpareils, Black Nonpareils, Pink Nonpareils: Provide decorative details for Santa's features.
Red Candy or Mini M&M: Creates a festive nose for the Santa cookie.
White Icing: Used for creating details like beard and hat trim.

Rolling and Cutting Santa Suit Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Whip Butter And Sugar

Grab your mixing bowl and beat butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture.

This process creates the perfect base for your holiday treats.

Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Gently fold in the egg along with vanilla and almond extracts.

Stir until everything blends smoothly and looks wonderfully combined.

Step 3: Blend Dry Components

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until perfectly mixed.

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into your butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Chill Cookie Dough

Split the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

This helps the dough become firm and easier to handle.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.

Step 6: Shape Festive Cookies

Dust your work surface with flour.

Roll out the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness.

Use Santa-themed or round cookie cutters to create adorable shapes.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place cookie shapes on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn a light golden color.

Transfer to a wire rack for cooling.

Step 8: Craft Royal Icing

Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water.

Mix until silky smooth.

Divide icing and tint one portion vibrant red for Santa’s signature look.

Step 9: Design Santa Hat

Use red icing to outline and fill the top portion of each cookie, representing Santa’s iconic hat.

Sprinkle red sanding sugar for extra sparkle.

Step 10: Add Snowy Details

Apply white icing to create fluffy beard and hat trim.

Dust with white sanding sugar for a magical winter effect.

Step 11: Bring Santa To Life

Create Santa’s face using pink and black nonpareils for cheeks and eyes.

Add a tiny red candy or mini M&M as his adorable nose.

Optional: draw a cheerful smile with white icing.

Step 12: Final Finishing

Allow all icing to dry completely.

This ensures your cookies look pristine and are ready for holiday celebrations or gift-giving.

Tips for Icing and Decorating Santa Suit Cookies

Refrigerate cookie dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain sharp cutout shapes during baking.
Mix royal icing slowly to avoid air bubbles, ensuring a professional, glossy finish on Santa cookies.
Adjust royal icing thickness by adding water or powdered sugar to achieve perfect piping and flooding techniques.
Use toothpicks for precise details like Santa's eyes, cheeks, and nose placement for professional-looking cookies.
Watch cookies carefully during baking, removing them when edges are just lightly golden to maintain soft, tender texture.

Gluten-Free Santa Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
Vegan Holiday Cutouts: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and create plant-based royal icing using aquafaba or vegan meringue powder.
Low-Sugar Christmas Treats: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie sweetness.
Keto-Friendly Santa Shapes: Use almond flour instead of wheat flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and create a low-carb version that fits ketogenic dietary requirements.

How to Arrange Santa Cookies for Dessert Tables

Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange Santa cookies in a circular pattern on a red or green serving tray, creating a delightful Christmas centerpiece.
Cookie Gift Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or cookie exchanges with friends and family.
Sweet Party Presentation: Display cookies on tiered cake stands with holiday-themed doilies, adding a touch of whimsy and charm to your seasonal dessert table.
Cocoa Companion: Serve alongside hot chocolate or peppermint mocha for a classic Christmas treat that brings warmth and joy to winter gatherings.

Store decorated cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain frosting integrity.
Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours before decorating.
Place completely dried cookies in sealed container at room temperature. Ensure container is completely dry and free from moisture. Consume within 3-4 days for best flavor and texture.
Avoid direct microwave or oven reheating as royal icing may melt. Let cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore original texture.

FAQs

What ingredients make these Santa cookies special?

The recipe uses butter, flour, egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract for a classic sugar cookie base with traditional holiday flavors.

Do I need special equipment to make these cookies?

You’ll need mixing bowls, electric mixer, rolling pin, cookie cutters (Santa or round), baking sheets, parchment paper, and piping bags for decorating.

How do I get clean cookie edges when cutting?

Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface and use sharp, clean cookie cutters. Dip cutters in flour between cuts to prevent sticking.

Can kids help decorate these cookies?

Absolutely! Kids can help sprinkle sanding sugar, place nonpareils for eyes and cheeks, and add the small red nose, making it a fun family activity.

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques.

Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.