These Christmas Light Cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday baking traditions. They’re fun to decorate, easy to personalize, and great for family baking sessions. With simple supplies and a little creativity, you can make a batch in no time—either from scratch or by decorating store-bought cookies.
Kids will enjoy helping roll, cut and decorate the cookies, making this a lovely afternoon activity that creates lasting holiday memories. These cookies also make charming edible gifts for neighbors, teachers and friends.
Why You’ll ♡ This
- Family-friendly: a fun project for bakers of all ages.
- Customizable: change colors, candies or shapes to suit your style.
- Perfect for gifting: great for cookie exchanges, parties and edible presents.
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Stand mixer or hand mixer.
- Baking sheet(s).
- Cooling rack.
Gather your ingredients and tools and follow the steps below for either the from-scratch version or the shortcut method using store-bought cookies.
How To Make Christmas Light Cookies
Full ingredient list and exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
From scratch:
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until combined. Stir in the dry ingredients.
- Form the dough into a flattened ball, wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour, until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a surface and roll the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut 3-inch rounds and arrange on the prepared baking sheets. Freeze or chill the cut cookies for 30 minutes before baking.
- Bake 16–18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cookies cool, make the icing by stirring together powdered sugar, light corn syrup and milk until smooth. Add milk a little at a time to reach the right consistency.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of icing onto each cookie and smooth into an even circle with the back of the spoon.
- Use black decorating gel to draw thin lines across the iced cookie to resemble a string of lights. Immediately press mini M&Ms onto the line to form the bulbs. Allow to set and dry.
Using store-bought cookies (shortcut):
- Place store-bought cookies on a cooling rack or tray.
- Prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar, light corn syrup and milk until smooth, thinning as needed.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of icing on each cookie, smoothing into a circle.
- Draw thin lines with black decorating gel to create strings of lights, then press mini M&Ms onto the gel immediately so they stick. Let dry completely.
Recipe Tips
- If you don’t have mini M&Ms, regular M&Ms or other small colored candies work fine.
- For a quicker option, decorate store-bought cookies or use a premade mix.
- Allow the white icing to dry fully before piping the black lines so the gel won’t bleed.
- Place candies immediately after piping the gel and press gently so they adhere.
Recipe Variations
These cookies are highly adaptable. Swap elements to create different flavors and looks:
- Swap the cookie base: try peanut butter, ginger snap or shortbread dough.
- Flavor the icing: add almond, peppermint or orange extract to the white icing.
- Change the topping: use royal icing, melted white chocolate or buttercream instead of the simple glaze—note some frostings are harder to pipe on.
- Alternative candies: chocolate-covered seeds, small nuts or piped colored frosting can replace M&Ms.
- Different cutters: use tree or ornament-shaped cutters and decorate with light strands and a star or topper.
Storage
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To help keep them soft, tuck a slice of bread into the container with the cookies. If you bake ahead, wait to ice and decorate until just before serving for best texture.
FAQs
How to Use These For Edible Gifting?
These cookies make delightful edible gifts. Package them in airtight containers or mason jars, add a ribbon and a label, and share with friends and family for a personal, homemade present.
How Do You Arrange A Christmas Cookie Tray?
Fill a large platter with an assortment of cookies for visual variety and taste contrast. Mix different shapes, colors and textures—soft cookies, crisp cookies and chocolate treats—to make a festive and appealing tray.
More Christmas Recipes
- Melted Snowman Christmas Cookies
- Grinch Cookies
- Crockpot Christmas Candy
- Grinch Punch
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Christmas Tree Cupcakes
- A collection of easy Christmas cookie recipes
Weight Watchers Points
One serving equals 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints.
Thank you for reading this Christmas Light Cookies recipe. Enjoy baking, decorating and gifting these cheerful cookies this holiday season.
Get The Christmas Light Cookies Recipe:
Easy Christmas Light Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (113g) butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the icing
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon milk
- Black decorating gel
- 1/2 cup (152g) mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, then stir in dry ingredients.
- Shape dough into a flattened ball, wrap and refrigerate until chilled (about 1 hour).
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness, cut 3″ rounds, place on baking sheets and freeze or chill for 30 minutes.
- Bake 16–18 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Make icing by mixing powdered sugar, corn syrup and milk until smooth, thinning as needed.
- Frost each cookie with about 1 tablespoon of icing and smooth into an even circle.
- Draw thin lines with black gel to make the light string and press mini M&Ms into the gel to form bulbs. Let set.
Notes
- Mini M&Ms can be substituted with other small colored candies or piped frosting bulbs.
- To save time, decorate store-bought cookies instead of baking from scratch.
- Allow white icing to dry fully before piping black lines to prevent bleeding.
- Press candies onto the gel right after piping so they adhere well.
There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 31 g |
Protein: 2 g |
Fat: 5 g