Holiday Cookies with Icing

Featured in: Soft Sweet Lemon Bakes

These classic holiday cookies feature a tender, buttery base crafted from softened butter, sugar, and vanilla. Rolled into perfect rounds, they bake to a light golden edge before cooling. A smooth icing drizzle, made with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, is artfully applied to add a festive sweetness. Optional sprinkles or citrus zest offer delightful twists. Ideal for holiday celebrations or gifts, these treats combine simple ingredients with a touch of festive charm.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:18:00 GMT
Golden brown Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, drizzled with sweet white icing, ready for sharing. Save on Pinterest
Golden brown Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, drizzled with sweet white icing, ready for sharing. | lemoncairn.com

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

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, 23 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 1012 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 drizzle able Add food coloring if desired.
Step 10:
Drizzle icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag Allow icing to set before serving.
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Notes

Add festive sprinkles before the icing sets for extra holiday flair For a citrus twist, add 1 tsp lemon or orange zest to the dough Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Required Tools

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

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120 Total Fat: 6 g Carbohydrates: 15 g Protein: 1 g

Close-up of freshly baked Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, a delicious homemade treat, perfect for the holidays. Save on Pinterest
Close-up of freshly baked Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, a delicious homemade treat, perfect for the holidays. | lemoncairn.com

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of butter is best for these cookies?

Use unsalted butter softened to room temperature for the best creaming results and balanced flavor.

How can I make the icing drizzle smoother?

Gradually add milk to powdered sugar and vanilla while mixing until the icing reaches a smooth, spoonable consistency.

Can I add color to the icing?

Yes, a few drops of food coloring can be mixed into the icing for a festive appearance.

What is the ideal baking temperature and time?

Bake cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges turn light golden.

How should I store the cookies to maintain freshness?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep cookies moist and flavorful.

Holiday Cookies with Icing

Buttery round cookies topped with a sweet icing drizzle, ideal for festive occasions and sharing.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
12 min
Overall Time
32 min


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 24 Portions

Dietary details Meat-Free

What You 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

Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 03

Incorporate egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Shape cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 07

Flatten dough balls: Gently flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass or your palm to create round shapes.

Step 08

Bake cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 09

Prepare icing drizzle: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzle-able. Add food coloring if desired.

Step 10

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

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Alerts

Review ingredients for allergens and contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and milk (dairy).
  • Verify ingredients for possible traces of nuts or other allergens.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Nutritional content is for informational use and is not a substitute for healthcare advice.
  • Calorie Count: 120
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 1 g