These festive cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat! Decorated to look like Christmas string lights, they’ll brighten up any holiday cookie tray.
Did You Know?
Sugar cookies have been a holiday favorite for centuries due to their versatility. With the addition of colorful decorations like mini M&M’s, they become not only delicious but also a visual centerpiece for your festive gatherings.
Yield
About 24 cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Black gel food coloring
Decorations:
Mini M&M’s or candy-coated chocolate in red, green, blue, yellow, and orange (for "light bulbs")
Instructions
To Make the Cookies:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until the dough forms.
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or desired shape and place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the Royal Icing:
Wisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar for thicker icing or more milk for thinner icing.
Once the cookies have cooled, flood the tops with white icing and let them set completely. Using black icing in a piping bag, pipe a winding line across each cookie to mimic a string of lights. Press mini M&M’s along the black "string" to resemble colorful light bulbs. Allow the icing to set before serving or packaging.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)
Calories: 160, Protein: 1.5g, Carbohydrates: 25g, Fiber: 0.5g, Net Carbohydrates: 24.5g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3.5g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 50mg, Sugars: 18g, Glycemic Index: Medium
How These Cookies Will Look and Feel
These Holiday String Light Sugar Cookies are a true treat for the senses. Their texture is perfectly soft yet sturdy, thanks to the balance of butter and sugar in the dough. The cookies hold their round shape beautifully during baking, with a smooth, flat surface ideal for decoration.
The royal icing creates a shiny, polished finish that sets firmly but gives a slight crackle when bitten into. The colorful mini M&M’s pressed into the black icing "string" not only provide a delightful pop of color but also add a touch of crunchy sweetness to complement the soft cookie.
Visually, these cookies are a feast for the eyes, with vibrant, festive colors that mimic glowing string lights. Their cheerful design makes them perfect for cookie trays, gifts, or holiday parties. Each bite offers a delightful combination of buttery richness, subtle sweetness, and a touch of crunch from the decorations.
Kitchen Tips, Great Ideas, How to Save Money
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Refrigerate the dough before rolling to make it firmer and easier to handle, ensuring the cookies retain their shape during baking.
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Use gel food coloring for the black icing to achieve a deep color without watering down the consistency.
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If mini M&M’s are unavailable, small round sprinkles or diced gummy candies make excellent substitutes for the "light bulbs."
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Chill the cookies for 10-15 minutes after decorating to help the M&M’s adhere firmly to the icing.
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Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain freshness.
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Prepare the dough in advance and freeze it for up to three months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to bake.
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Make your own powdered sugar by blending granulated sugar until fine, a handy trick if you run out during icing preparation.
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Use parchment paper or silicone mats on your baking sheets for easy cleanup and even cookie baking.
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Let kids join in the decorating fun by setting up a station with candies, icing, and sprinkles for personalized cookie creations.
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Package cookies in clear bags tied with festive ribbons for gifting, creating an inexpensive and thoughtful holiday present.