Bring the joy of Christmas to your kitchen with these delightful Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts! These festive cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat, with their vibrant red suits, white trim, and adorable black belts. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve, these cookies are a surefire way to spread holiday cheer. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 6 tablespoons water (adjust as needed for consistency)
• Red gel food coloring
• Black gel food coloring
• White gel food coloring

For Decoration:

• Black sugar pearls or edible silver beads (for buttons)
• Edible glitter or sugar dust (optional, for sparkle)

Directions

Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Roll and Cut the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use Santa suit-shaped cookie cutters or round cutters (to draw the suit later) to cut out the cookies. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Prepare the Royal Icing:

1. In a large bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more water (for thinner icing) or powdered sugar (for thicker icing).
2. Divide the icing into three portions. Tint one portion red, one black, and leave the last portion white.

Decorate the Cookies:

1. Base Layer:
   • Use the red icing to flood the cookie, leaving the edges clean. Let it dry for about 1-2 hours or until the icing sets.
2. Add the Details:
   • Pipe white icing along the bottom and top edges for Santa’s suit trim. Add a white dot in the center for the fluffy pompom on the hat (if applicable).
   • Use black icing to draw the belt across the middle of the suit.
   • Add a small white square in the center of the belt for the buckle.
3. Final Touches:
   • Attach sugar pearls or edible beads as buttons. Sprinkle edible glitter for extra sparkle, if desired.
   • Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely, preferably overnight, before stacking or packaging.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving:

• Arrange on a festive platter as a centerpiece for your holiday dessert table.
• Pair with hot cocoa or eggnog for a classic Christmas treat.

Storage:

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing to preserve the icing’s freshness.

Variations

1. Elf Outfit Cookies:
   • Swap the red icing for green and design an elf suit with a jagged collar and tiny suspenders.
2. Glittery Santa Suits:
   • Use edible glitter to make the suits shimmer like freshly fallen snow.
3. Flavored Cookies:
   • Add a teaspoon of almond extract or peppermint extract to the dough for a festive flavor twist.
4. Santa Hats:
   • Use triangular cookie cutters to create Santa hat-shaped cookies and decorate with red and white icing.
5. Mini Versions:
   • Make smaller cookies for bite-sized treats or cookie gift bags.

Conclusion

Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookie Cutouts are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with creativity and flavor. These adorable cookies bring smiles to everyone’s faces and are a fun activity to enjoy with kids or friends. With their vibrant colors and intricate details, they’ll become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. Bake these for your next celebration and watch the magic happen!

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

2. Why is my royal icing not setting?
Make sure the room isn’t too humid and allow enough time for the icing to dry completely.

3. Can I use store-bought icing?
Yes, but homemade royal icing provides better consistency for detailed decorating.

4. How can I prevent the cookies from spreading?
Chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.

5. What can I use if I don’t have a Santa suit cutter?
Use a round cutter and pipe the Santa suit design onto the cookie.

Enjoy baking and decorating these festive cookies—they’re sure to bring joy and deliciousness to your holiday season! 🎅🍪