“These Santa Claus Sugar Cookies taste like Christmas joy baked into every bite.”
If your kitchen is ready for something festive, cozy, and incredibly fun for the kids, these Santa Claus Sugar Cookies are the sweetest way to celebrate the holidays. They’re buttery, soft, lightly golden, and decorated with that classic Santa charm that always makes little eyes sparkle. And mama, this recipe is wonderfully simple perfect for baking during naptime or sharing a decorating moment with your little ones.
Whether you’re preparing a cookie plate for Santa, gifting homemade treats to friends, or creating a new family tradition, these cookies bring warmth, laughter, and a whole lot of holiday magic into your home.
How to make Santa Claus Sugar Cookies
For the Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1 ½ sticks (¾ cup) salted butter, at room temperature
Soft butter gives these cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. - ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
Adds warmth and a gentle caramel sweetness perfect for holiday treats. - 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional)
A cozy, grown-up note — skip if baking with little helpers. - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
That classic sugar cookie aroma we all love. - 1 egg, at room temperature
Helps the dough come together smoothly. - 2 cups all-purpose flour + 2–4 tablespoons more if needed
Creates a soft dough that’s easy to shape into Santa faces. - ½ teaspoon baking soda
Helps the cookies puff just a little. - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Balances the sweetness perfectly.
For the Vanilla Frosting (Santa’s beard + hat details)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
The base of a smooth, snowy frosting. - 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional)
Adds depth — optional for families. - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sweet, cozy, holiday flavor. - Assorted sprinkles, vanilla sugar, sanding sugar
To create Santa’s sparkle and personality.
For the Vanilla Buttercream (extra decorations)
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (optional)
Makes the buttercream extra creamy and easy to spread. - 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3. INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1 — Make the Sugar Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the soft butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, hazelnut liquor (if using), and egg. Mix until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. If the dough feels sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes soft and easy to shape.
Chill for 20–30 minutes — this helps the cookies keep their Santa shape.
Step 2 — Shape & Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
Use a round cutter or Santa-shaped cutter to create cookie bases.
Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake 8–10 minutes, just until edges are light golden.
Cool completely before decorating.
Step 3 — Prepare the Vanilla Frosting
Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and (optional) hazelnut liquor. Add a splash of milk if you need to thin it.
This frosting will become Santa’s hat trim, beard, mustache, and fur details.
Step 4 — Make the Buttercream
Beat the butter (and cream cheese if using) until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat again until smooth.
This buttercream works beautifully for Santa’s face, rosy cheeks, and hat.
Step 5 — Decorate Your Santa Cookies
- Spread a thin layer of buttercream for Santa’s face.
- Pipe a fluffy white beard and mustache using the vanilla frosting.
- Add sprinkles or red sanding sugar to form Santa’s hat.
- Use chocolate chips or sprinkles for eyes.
- Add a tiny touch of pink sanding sugar for cheeks.
“A little sweetness, a little sparkle, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.”
These Santa Claus Sugar Cookies bring so much joy to the holiday season soft, sweet, and full of personality in every little swirl. They’re the kind of cookies kids remember baking, the kind you proudly set out for Santa, and the kind that make your kitchen feel warm and magical. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing them, or enjoying them with a warm drink after bedtime, these cookies turn simple moments into holiday memories.
This isn’t just baking, it’s how we sprinkle love into the season. Honney
