Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a festive treat that combines classic sweetness with a touch of holiday charm, the Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe is an absolute must-try. These lovely, soft sugar cookies shaped like holly leaves are perfectly buttery and tender, then beautifully adorned with vibrant green icing and bright red berry accents. They bring a joyful splash of color and flavor that instantly evokes the spirit of the season, making them ideal for sharing at parties or gifting to friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, each carefully chosen to create that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive flair. From the creamy butter that ensures softness to the subtle hints of vanilla and almond extracts for extra depth, every ingredient plays an essential role.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): The foundation of your cookie, giving structure and just the right softness.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps your cookies rise and stay light.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a gentle lift for perfect texture.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Brings richness and tenderness to every bite.
- Granulated sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens while helping to give the cookies that beautiful golden edge.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for chewy softness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Classic flavor enhancer that warms every mouthful.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Adds an elegant, subtle nutty note.
- Red and green royal icing or gel decorating icing: Transforms simple cookies into stunning holiday decorations.
- Small red candies or sprinkles (for berries): Adds adorable and tasty “berries” to your holly leaves.
- Green sanding sugar (optional): For that extra sparkle that makes your cookies truly festive.
How to Make Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients
Start your festive baking adventure by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This essential step mixes your ingredients evenly and helps your cookies bake to delicious perfection every time.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy. This step ensures your cookies will have the perfect tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg along with the vanilla and almond extracts (if you’re using it). These ingredients provide moisture and bring layers of complex flavor that make these sugar cookies stand out from the crowd.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing so your cookies stay tender and not tough.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a flat disc, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling is a game changer—it makes the dough easier to roll out and helps your cookies hold their crisp edges.
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Cookies
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use holly leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut the dough into festive shapes and arrange them on parchment-lined baking sheets. For sharper edges, consider chilling the cutouts on the baking sheet for an additional 10 minutes before baking.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden color. This baking time ensures that your cookies remain soft inside with a slight crispness on the outside.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating. Use green icing to outline and fill each holly leaf, then add red dots of icing or place small red candies to mimic berries. A sprinkle of green sanding sugar adds the perfect festive sparkle. Let the icing set completely before moving or serving.
How to Serve Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate presentation, consider adding edible glitter or shimmering sugar crystals on top of the green icing. Fresh mint or other small edible leaves can also complement the holly theme and add an aromatic touch.
Side Dishes
These sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea, hot chocolate, or a glass of chilled eggnog. The creamy, spicy beverages beautifully balance the sweetness of the cookies and add to the cozy holiday vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your decorated Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe on a rustic wooden board lined with festive parchment paper. Tie a few cookies together with a pretty ribbon as a charming edible gift. Decorating several cookies with different icing patterns can turn your cookie platter into an eye-catching centerpiece at any holiday gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Place layers of parchment paper between the cookies to keep decorations intact and prevent sticking.
Freezing
You can freeze both the baked cookies and the cookie dough. To freeze baked cookies, make sure they are fully cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container with layers of parchment paper, and store for up to 3 months. For dough, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month, then thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and cutting.
Reheating
When you want to enjoy your cookies fresh, warming them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes can revive their softness and gently melt any icing for a delightful treat. Avoid the microwave as it can make them too soft or sticky.
FAQs
Can I omit the almond extract?
Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and provides a subtle nutty note, but the cookies will still taste delicious with just vanilla extract.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before rolling and cutting is key to maintaining shape. Also, chilling cookie cutouts on the baking sheet before baking helps keep the edges sharp and neat.
Can I use store-bought icing?
Yes, store-bought royal or gel icing works fine and saves time. Just make sure it’s firm enough to hold decorations and doesn’t run when applied.
Are these cookies suitable for making ahead for holiday parties?
Definitely! You can bake the cookies days ahead and decorate them the day before your event. They also freeze well, so you can prepare far in advance.
What if I don’t have holly leaf cookie cutters?
You can use any leaf-shaped cutter or a small round cutter for berries with a sharp knife to create holly leaf shapes. The shape adds charm but the flavor is what counts most!
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe—its cozy flavors intertwined with joyful holiday vibes make it a beloved tradition for any festive occasion. Once you try making these from scratch, complete with your own creative decoration, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe year after year to brighten up celebrations with delicious sweetness and handmade charm. Go ahead, bake a batch, and share a little holiday magic!
Print
Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these delightful Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies, featuring classic sugar cookie dough cut into festive holly leaf shapes and decorated with vibrant red and green icing. Perfect for Christmas gatherings or as a cheerful treat to share with family and friends, these cookies are flavorful, fun to decorate, and sure to brighten any cookie platter.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Decorations
- Red and green royal icing or gel decorating icing
- Small red candies or sprinkles (for berries)
- Green sanding sugar (optional, for sparkle)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this will help create tender cookies.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in one large egg, then stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract if using, incorporating flavors evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms without overmixing.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape each into a disc, wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up the dough for easier rolling.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use holly leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes, transferring them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color. This keeps the cookies soft inside with slightly crisp edges.
- Cool: Remove cookies from oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Decorate: Use green royal or gel icing to outline and fill in the holly leaves. Add red icing dots or small red candies to mimic holly berries. Optionally sprinkle green sanding sugar over the icing for extra sparkle.
- Set Icing: Let the decorated cookies sit undisturbed until the icing has fully set before storing or serving.
Notes
- For sharper edges, chill the cut cookie shapes on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- These cookies can be baked ahead of time and decorated later as the icing can be applied when needed.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
