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Christmas just isn’t Christmas without delicious Santa Sugar Cookies. Our family is full of sugar cookie junkies.
Our cute mom saw some Santa sugar cookies at a local restaurant and decided that she could easily make her own. These cookies were a huge hit at our party and if you need a darling cookie for a cookie exchange, this is your go-to cookie.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make Santa Sugar Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
Sugar Cookies
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Baking Powder
- Vanilla
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Sour Cream
- Flour
Frosting
- Butter
- Shortening
- Vanilla
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk
Santa Cookie Decorations
- Red Decorating Sugar, for the hat
- Chocolate Chips, for eyes
- Cinnamon Candies, for nose
- Mini Marshmallows, for the hat
- Shredded Coconut, for the beard
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to make Santa Sugar Cookies
- Mix butter, sugar, and eggs until well blended.
- Add baking powder, vanilla, baking soda, salt, and sour cream and stir well.
- Add flour and gently combine. If too sticky, add just a little more flour and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut with a circle cookie cutter (I used a 2 ¾ – 3 inch diameter circle cookie cutter).
- Bake at 350 ℉ for about 9 minutes (you don’t want to overcook them!).
Frosting
- Combine all ingredients and mix well. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar and if it’s too thick, add a little more milk.
Assemble the Cookies
- Frost the cookie and immediately after add the sprinkles to the top third of the cookie with red sugar crystals (we held the edge of a little bowl to cover the rest of the cookie while we sprinkled the crystals on and it gave the hat a rounded edge).
- Next, sprinkle the bottom third of the cookie with coconut (and come a little up each edge to meet the hat) to make Santa’s beard. If your frosting dried quickly, you can put a drop of water on your finger and spread it on the frosting- the coconut should stick perfectly after that.
- Place a marshmallow on the end of the hat, the chocolate chips for the eyes, and the red hot for Santa’s nose.
Storing and Other Tips
If you manage to not eat the whole tray of cookies immediately, these Santa Sugar Cookies store well. Once cookies have completely cooled, here is how you can store them:
- Counter: Store in an airtight container in a single layer for up to 4 days at room temperature. If you want to try and get the cookies to last even longer without becoming crumbly cookies, add a slice of bread into the container of cookies. The bread will give the cookies something to draw moisture from.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in a single layer for up to 7 days in a refrigerator.
What could I use if I don’t have a circle cookie cutter for Santa sugar cookies?
We used a circle cookie cutter that was about 3 inches in diameter. If you don’t have a circular cookie cutter, that is a simple fix.
The top of a glass from your kitchen cupboard works great. You want it to be thin. We used a glass cup and it gives it a clean and sharp cut.
A glass that is smooth on all sides could also double as a rolling pin if you don’t have one.
What could I use instead of coconut for Santa’s beard?
We love coconut, but understand that it isn’t for everyone. If you are looking for a coconut substitute, we have a few ideas for you.
- Piped frosting –This may take a little more time, but you could pipe on the white frosting just for the beard, so it looks different from the rest of the cookie. His beard will look as realistic as you desire, depending on what you use to pipe it.
- Grated white chocolate – Grate a white chocolate bar with a cheese grater. It will make a great Santa beard.
- White cotton candy – Cotton candy is sometimes difficult to find, but is often on the candy aisle. Also on Amazon.
- White sprinkles – White sprinkles are probably the fastest alternative, next to coconut shreds. I like to use the long skinny white ones. But any white sprinkle will work.
Enjoy More Delicious Christmas Recipes
There’s nothing like homemade cookies that the whole family will love. Check out our comprehensive collection of cookie recipes here.
- Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
- Andes Mint Grinch Cookies
- Chocolate Reindeer Cookies
- Cornflake Christmas Wreath Cookies
Santa Sugar Cookies
Christmas just isn't Christmas without yummy Santa Sugar cookies! These easy Santa cookies are perfect for the holiday and so cute!
Serving Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 cups flour
Frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 Tablespoons shortening
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
Santa Cookie Decorations
- ½ cup red decorating sugar, for the hat
- ½ cup chocolate chips, for eyes
- 40 cinnamon candies, for nose
- 40 mini marshmallows, for the hat
- 1 cup shredded coconut, for the beard
Equipment
Instructions
- Mix butter, sugar, and eggs until well blended.
- Add baking powder, vanilla, baking soda, salt, and sour cream and stir well.
- Add flour and gently combine. If too sticky, add just a little more flour and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut with a circle cookie cutter (I used a 2 ¾ – 3 inch diameter circle cookie cutter).
- Bake at 350 ℉ for about 9 minutes (you don't want to overcook them!).
Frosting
- Combine all ingredients and mix well. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar and if it's too thick, add a little more milk.
Assemble the Cookies
- Frost the cookie and immediately after add the sprinkles to the top third of the cookie with red sugar crystals (we held the edge of a little bowl to cover the rest of the cookie while we sprinkled the crystals on and it gave the hat a rounded edge).
- Next, sprinkle the bottom third of the cookie with coconut (and come a little up each edge to meet the hat) to make Santa's beard. If your frosting dried quickly, you can put a drop of water on your finger and spread it on the frosting- the coconut should stick perfectly after that.
- Place a marshmallow on the end of the hat, the chocolate chips for the eyes, and the red hot for Santa's nose.
Notes
We used a circle cookie cutter that was about 3 inches in diameter. If you don’t have a circular cookie cutter, that is a simple fix.
The top of a glass from your kitchen cupboard works great. You want it to be thin. We used a glass cup and it gives it a clean and sharp cut.
A glass that is smooth on all sides could also double as a rolling pin if you don’t have one.
Nutrition
Calories: 204 kcal · Carbohydrates: 28 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 10 g · Saturated Fat: 6 g · Cholesterol: 28 mg · Sodium: 140 mg · Potassium: 29 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 16 g · Vitamin A: 243 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 15 mg · Iron: 1 mg
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
These Santa cookies have been a tradition in my family since I was a little girl! We decorate them assembly line style- one person would do the frosting, then pass it to the coconut person, then on to the person with the red hot nose, etc. One of my favorite childhood memories!
I am new to your blog, and am in love! We travel to Children’s Hospital every month for my son to receive his monthly IvIG treatment and I’ve been looking for something he can help me make for our infusion nurses next week. Success! I can’t wait to get started! <3
Great idea! Any suggestions on what you could use for the beard instead of coconut? Thanks!
White sprinkles would look cute too!
They are a fun activity to do with the kids! Best of luck to your son! -The Sisters
Cute–love the coconut beard!
This is so cute!!! I love it!!!! Great blog too. I’m Hanna and I am your newest follower:) HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
I remember these from when I was little! I loved seeing Camille on Fresh Living, by the way. Fun!
These are darling! Love that you only need a circle cookie cutter. I’m featuring them today at Creations by Kara. 🙂
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Love your sight! Wonderful pics and great info, recipes, etc. Keep it up!~ Happy Holidays
I made them last year for Christmas, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them so much they are now a tradition at our house for christmas. Thank you so much for this recipe.
The concept of these cookies is darling. The recipe is terrible. I just threw out the cookies and frosting. Both were pretty much inedible.
I think the admin of this site is truly working hard in favor of his web page, for the reason that here every material is quality
based stuff.
Do you still make them? I’m looking for an amazing recipe using a variety of cutters.