Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Here’s a fun and festive recipe for Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts:

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tbsp meringue powder
• 6–8 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
• Red gel food coloring
• Black gel food coloring
• White gel food coloring

Decorations:

• White sanding sugar (for fur trim)
• Mini gold or yellow sugar pearls (for belt buckle)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together.
5. Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).

2. Bake the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use Santa suit or other Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Let cool completely on wire racks before decorating.

3. Make the Royal Icing:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder.
2. Add water a tablespoon at a time, mixing on low speed, until the icing reaches your desired consistency (thicker for outlining, thinner for flooding).
3. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint portions red, black, and white using gel food coloring.

4. Decorate the Cookies:

1. Red Santa Suit Base: Use the red icing to flood the main part of the cookie. Let it set for 1–2 hours.
2. Belt and Buttons: Use black icing to draw a horizontal belt across the middle. Add dots for buttons above the belt.
3. Fur Trim: Pipe white icing along the top, bottom, and cuffs of the suit. While still wet, sprinkle white sanding sugar for a fluffy effect.
4. Belt Buckle: Use a small dot of white icing to attach a gold or yellow sugar pearl in the center of the belt.

5. Let the Cookies Set:

Allow the cookies to dry completely for 4–6 hours (or overnight) before stacking or packaging.

These adorable Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting!