Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these adorable Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts! Shaped like Santa’s classic red suit, these sugar cookies are decorated with festive icing to create a delicious, charming, and very merry treat. Perfect for holiday parties or leaving out for Santa himself, these cookies are fun to make and delightful to share.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a nice touch)
For the Royal Icing:
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons meringue powder
5-6 tablespoons water (add gradually for desired consistency)
Red gel food coloring
Black gel food coloring
White gel food coloring
For Decoration:
Small edible gold pearls (for buttons)
White sanding sugar (for added sparkle on Santa’s suit trim)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Dough
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add Egg and Extracts:
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), beating until fully incorporated.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as the dough comes together.
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough hold its shape when baking.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll Out the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
3. Cut Out the Shapes:
Using a Santa suit or similar festive cookie cutter, cut out the shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each cookie.
4. Bake the Cookies:
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Prepare the Royal Icing
1. Mix the Icing:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add water one tablespoon at a time, stirring until the icing reaches a thick but pipeable consistency.
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