Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies

Looking for a fun and festive holiday treat? These Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies are the perfect way to spread some cheer with their cute, colorful designs and delicious sugar cookie flavor!

Imagine soft, buttery sugar cookies shaped like Santa’s iconic suit, decorated with bright red icing, a fluffy white belt, and the perfect finishing touch. These cookies not only taste amazing but also bring a playful holiday spirit to your dessert table.

These Santa Suit Sugar Cookies are perfect for holiday parties, baking with kids, or gifting to friends and family. They’re the perfect combination of sweet and festive, guaranteed to be a hit at any Christmas celebration!

Ready to bake these adorable holiday cookies? Let’s whip up some Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies and bring a little extra joy to your holiday season

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive and Fun to Make: These cookies aren’t just sweet—they’re a whole experience. Each one becomes a tiny Santa suit on your holiday tray.
• Soft and Buttery: The dough bakes into a soft sugar cookie with just the right amount of crisp on the edges.
• Great for Decorating with Kids: The simple design makes them easy to decorate, even for beginners or little helpers.
• Holiday Showstopper: Perfect for parties, gifting, and spreading Christmas cheer one cookie at a time.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Decorating Time: About 1 hour
Total Time: ~2 hours 45 minutes

Servings: Makes about 24 cookies, depending on cutter size.

Difficulty: Easy enough for beginners; detailed enough for experienced bakers to enjoy the decorating process.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Electric mixer (hand or stand)
• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Santa suit-shaped or basic round cookie cutter
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Piping bags with small round tips
• Toothpick or scribe tool (optional, for detailing)

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional but recommended for flavor)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2–3 tbsp meringue powder
• 4–5 tbsp water, more as needed
• Red gel food coloring
• Red sanding sugar
• White sanding sugar
• Pink & black nonpareils (for cheeks and eyes)
• Small red candies or mini M&Ms (for Santa’s nose)
• Piping bags with small round tips

Variations for Santa Suit Sugar Cookies

• Flavor Boost: Swap almond extract for peppermint extract for a candy cane twist.
• Color Fun: Use red and green sanding sugar for extra holiday contrast.
• Shape Switch: No Santa cutter? Use a circle or rectangle cutter and still decorate as a suit.
• Shortcuts: Use store-bought sugar cookie dough if you’re short on time. Just chill and roll as directed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and beat until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until a smooth dough forms.

2. Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to cut clean shapes.

3. Roll and Cut

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc at a time to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a Santa suit–shaped or round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1.5–2 inches apart.

4. Bake

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Avoid overbaking—these cookies are best when soft in the center.

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Make the Royal Icing

In a clean bowl, whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until thick and smooth. The consistency should be pipeable, like toothpaste. Add a few drops of red gel food coloring to a portion of the icing and stir well.

Transfer red, white, and any other icing colors into separate piping bags fitted with small round tips.

6. Decorate the Cookies

Start by outlining and flooding the red suit area using red icing. Immediately sprinkle red sanding sugar over the wet icing. Shake off excess. Let set for about 15 minutes.

Use white icing to add fur trim, buttons, and belt details. Add white sanding sugar over the trim for sparkle. Place a small red candy for the nose, and add nonpareils for eyes and cheeks.

Let the icing dry completely—about 4–6 hours, or overnight.

Serving and Decoration Ideas

• Holiday Platters: These cookies look stunning arranged on a red or white serving tray.
• Gifting: Pack a few in a cellophane bag with a ribbon for teachers, neighbors, or coworkers.
• Cookie Exchanges: These stand out in any lineup thanks to the bright red suit and cute details.
• Kids’ Table Favorite: Add a glass of milk and you’ve got Santa’s favorite snack ready to go.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Unfrosted Cookies: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Decorated Cookies: Once icing is completely set, store in a single layer or between wax paper in a lidded container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Dough Storage: Wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before rolling out.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Use Gel Coloring: Gel-based food colors give strong color without watering down the icing.
• Work in Layers: Let the base color set before adding details to prevent bleeding.
• Toothpick Magic: Use a toothpick or scribe tool to nudge icing into tight corners and pop air bubbles.
• Keep Piping Bags Covered: Royal icing crusts quickly. Cover bags with a damp cloth when not using.

Nutrition (Per 1 Cookie)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	175 kcal
Total Fat	7 g
Saturated Fat	4 g
Cholesterol	25 mg
Sodium	45 mg
Total Carbohydrates	27 g
Sugars	16 g
Protein	2 g
Fiber	<1 g

(Note: Values may vary depending on exact decoration and candy choices.)

Santa Suit Sugar Cookie FAQs

Can I freeze decorated cookies?
Yes, once fully dry. Place parchment between layers and store in a freezer-safe container.

Can I use a different icing?
Royal icing works best for the clean look, but you can use a thick glaze for a simpler version.

How long does the icing take to set?
Fully set icing usually takes 4–6 hours. For best results, dry overnight.

Do I need a Santa-shaped cutter?
No. A round or rectangle cutter works great—it’s all about how you decorate!

Conclusion

These Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies are a joyful way to celebrate the season. They bring together soft, buttery flavor and cheerful designs in one adorable bite. Whether you’re baking for a holiday swap, a family gathering, or just to spread some festive fun, these cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat.