Holiday Cookies with Icing

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

Enjoy these classic buttery cookies, baked until lightly golden and topped with a smooth, sweet icing drizzle. Simple to prepare with basic ingredients like butter, sugar, and vanilla, they're perfect for holiday gatherings. The icing adds a delightful festive touch that you can customize with food coloring or sprinkles. Store them airtight to maintain freshness and savor their soft texture with every bite.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:55:00 GMT
Golden holiday cookies with a delicate icing drizzle, perfect for festive sharing and enjoying at home. Pin It
Golden holiday cookies with a delicate icing drizzle, perfect for festive sharing and enjoying at home. | cedaroven.com

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

This recipe brings back memories of joyful holiday baking sessions with family.

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

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 drizzleable. Add food coloring if desired.
Step 10:
Drizzle icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Allow icing to set before serving.
These homemade holiday cookies boast a buttery texture, topped with a beautiful, sweet icing drizzle. Pin It
These homemade holiday cookies boast a buttery texture, topped with a beautiful, sweet icing drizzle. | cedaroven.com

Baking these cookies has created cherished family traditions and holiday memories.

Notes

For a citrus twist, add 1 tsp lemon or orange zest to the dough.

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.

Freshly baked holiday cookies offer delightful flavors, adorned with a light and lovely icing drizzle pattern. Pin It
Freshly baked holiday cookies offer delightful flavors, adorned with a light and lovely icing drizzle pattern. | cedaroven.com

Enjoy these cookies as a sweet finishing touch to your holiday celebrations.

Recipe FAQs

How do I achieve the perfect cookie texture?

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy to ensure tender cookies. Avoid overbaking to keep a soft center with golden edges.

What is the best way to apply the icing drizzle?

Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the smooth icing evenly over cooled cookies. Let the icing set at room temperature before storing.

Can the icing be customized with colors?

Yes, adding food coloring to the icing mixture allows for festive, colorful drizzles that match holiday themes.

How should I store these cookies to keep them fresh?

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain softness and flavor.

Is there a way to add extra flavor to the cookies?

Incorporate a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest into the dough for a subtle citrus twist enhancing the flavor profile.

Holiday Cookies with Icing

Buttery round cookies featuring a sweet, festive icing drizzle for joyous holiday moments.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
12 min
Overall Time
32 min
Created by Evan Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 24 Portions

Diet Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Cookie Dough

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

Icing Drizzle

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

How To Make It

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set oven temperature to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together with an electric mixer or whisk until mixture is light and fluffy.

Step 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, beating until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and arrange them on baking sheets, spacing each ball approximately 2 inches apart.

Step 07

Flatten Cookie Balls: Gently press each dough ball flat using the bottom of a glass or your palm to create uniform rounds.

Step 08

Bake: Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges turn a light golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 09

Prepare Icing Drizzle: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and drizzle-able. Add food coloring if desired.

Step 10

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

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Info

Review all items for potential allergens. If needed, ask a medical expert.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy. Verify all ingredients for potential nut contamination.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Details given for reference only—contact your doctor for personal advice.
  • Caloric Value: 120
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 1 g