There is something truly magical about the holiday season, and nothing captures that spirit quite like the Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe. These festive treats are a delightful combination of buttery, soft sugar cookie dough shaped into classic holly leaves and adorned with bright, cheerful red berries made of candy or icing. Perfectly sweet with just the right touch of vanilla and almond, these cookies are a joy to bake, decorate, and share with loved ones. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or a cozy night in, this recipe brings warmth and cheer to any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients lay the foundation for these festive cookies. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that inviting holiday look.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base of our dough, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a light texture.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Adds lift alongside baking soda for the perfect softness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Ensures a rich, creamy texture and buttery flavor.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetness that’s just right, giving the cookies a lovely golden hue when baked.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together while adding richness.
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and aroma with every bite.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle nutty note to elevate the flavor.
- Red and green royal icing or decorating gel: For that signature holly leaf and berry look.
- Mini red candy balls or sprinkles: Perfect for the bright berries.
- Green food coloring (optional for dough): For an extra festive touch to the cookie base.
- Flour for rolling: Keeps the dough from sticking and ensures even rolling.
How to Make Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This simple but crucial step ensures your dry ingredients are evenly incorporated, which contributes to a consistent texture and rise in your cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes and is the magic behind those tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts
Next, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. These ingredients add richness and depth to the flavor, making the cookies taste even more special and homemade.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your whisked dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir gently until a soft dough forms. If you want a splash of extra holiday color, add green food coloring now and mix until the dough is evenly tinted with a lovely forest green hue.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two halves and flatten each into discs. Wrap them and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into perfect holly leaf shapes.
Step 6: Roll & Cut
On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough disc to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your holly leaf cookie cutter to stamp out the shapes and carefully transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. This part is so satisfying as you watch your festive shapes come to life!
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Keep a close eye because they bake quickly and you want that tender center with just a hint of crispness at the edges.
Step 8: Decorate and Set
Once completely cooled, it’s time to get creative. Use green royal icing or decorating gel to paint the leaves, adding veins and dimension. Dot 2 or 3 mini red candy balls or icing berries in the center to mimic holly berries. Let the icing set completely before serving or storing your beautiful holiday treats.
How to Serve Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Decorating these cookies is half the fun! Use fresh toppings like edible glitter or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a frosty effect. A few sprigs of fresh holly or rosemary on the serving tray add an extra festive flair that guests will adore.
Side Dishes
These sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced cider, peppermint hot chocolate, or classic eggnog. Their sweet, buttery flavor balances perfectly with these rich, comforting drinks, making every bite and sip a cozy celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe on a rustic wooden board with a few holiday pinecones and twinkling fairy lights around. Or package them in festive tins with colorful ribbons to give as charming homemade gifts that look as good as they taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping them well-sealed locks in their tender texture and prevents drying out, so each bite stays deliciously soft.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, freeze undecorated cookies for up to two months. Simply place them on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Decorate after thawing for fresh, festive cookies anytime.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This lightly revives their buttery softness without melting the icing, making them feel freshly baked again.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the recipe, but if salted butter is all you have, reduce or omit the added salt to keep the flavors balanced.
What’s the best way to get the royal icing to set quickly?
To speed up drying, place the decorated cookies in a cool, dry room with good air circulation. Avoid humid spaces as moisture slows icing hardening.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking, and you should get a similar soft texture and flavor.
Are there alternative decorating ideas besides royal icing?
Yes! You can use fondant to create smooth holly leaves and berries or even edible markers for detailed drawing. Sprinkles and colored sugars also add fun textures and colors.
How can I store decorated cookies for gifting?
Layer them gently with parchment paper in an airtight tin or box. Avoid stacking too many to keep decorations intact. They’ll stay fresh and beautiful for several days.
Final Thoughts
Making the Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe is a joyous way to embrace the holiday spirit and create heartfelt moments in your kitchen. With its simple ingredients and playful decorating possibilities, this recipe invites everyone to join in the fun and share a little sweetness. I can’t wait for you to try it and make these festive cookies a beloved part of your celebrations!
Print
Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies are festive, buttery sugar cookies shaped like holly leaves and decorated with vibrant green royal icing and red candy berries, perfect for holiday celebrations and Christmas treats.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Decorations
- Red and green royal icing or decorating gel
- Mini red candy balls or sprinkles for berries
- Green food coloring (optional for dough)
- Flour for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract into the creamed mixture, beating until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. If desired, mix in green food coloring to tint the dough evenly.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two halves, flatten each into discs, wrap or cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up for easier rolling.
- Roll and Cut Cookies: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use holly leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden around the perimeter.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
- Decorate: Using green royal icing or decorating gel, pipe the holly leaf designs on the cooled cookies and add 2 to 3 mini red candy balls or dots of red icing in the center to represent berries.
- Set Icing: Allow the icing to dry and set completely before serving the cookies or storing them to keep decorations intact.
Notes
- For make-ahead convenience, freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months.
- A stiffer royal icing is recommended for detailed and durable leaf designs.
- Fondant can also be used for decorating if preferred over royal icing or gel.
