🌿❄️ Iced Christmas Holly Cookies Recipe ❄️🌿
Festive, buttery cookies decorated with vibrant holly-inspired icing—perfect for holiday gatherings or gift-giving!
Ingredients
For the Cookies
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing
4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
6–8 tablespoons water (adjust as needed)
Gel food coloring: green, red, and white
Red sugar pearls (for holly berries)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookies
Cream Butter & Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until fully combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This makes it easier to roll out and ensures the cookies hold their shape.
Preheat & Roll Out:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
Cut & Bake:
Use holly leaf or snowflake-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just slightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Step 2: Prepare the Royal Icing
Mix Royal Icing:
In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until the icing forms stiff peaks. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time to achieve the desired consistency for piping and flooding.
Color the Icing:
Divide the icing into three bowls. Tint one bowl green, one white, and one red using gel food coloring. Cover the bowls with plastic wrap to prevent the icing from drying out.
Step 3: Decorate the Cookies
Base Layer:
Use the green icing to outline the cookie and flood the center to create the holly leaf base. Let it dry for about 15 minutes to set.
Add Details:
Using white icing, pipe delicate veins or decorative dots on the holly leaves to mimic snowberries.
Create Berries:
Place three red sugar pearls at the center of each cookie to form holly berries. Alternatively, use red icing to pipe small round berries.
Drying Time:
Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely for 2-3 hours at room temperature before serving or packaging.
Tips for Perfect Holly Cookies
Prevent Spreading: Chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
Consistent Icing: For precise designs, keep the icing’s consistency thick enough for detailing but fluid enough for smooth flooding.
Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Holiday Touch
These Iced Christmas Holly Cookies are buttery, festive, and perfect for spreading holiday cheer. Serve them with hot cocoa or gift them in decorative tins for the ultimate seasonal treat! 🎄🍪✨
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