Brownie Bites Blog

  • Home
  • Food
    • Recipes ->
      • Low Carb and Keto
      • Bars & Barks
      • Beverages
      • Cakes & Pies
      • Candy
      • Cookies & Cupcakes
      • Dog Treats
      • Entrees
      • Ice Cream & Frozen
      • Muffins & Breads
      • Starters & Sides
    • Restaurant Tours
    • Party Ideas
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Travel
    • View All
    • California
    • Camping & RV Life
    • Disney ->
      • Bahama Cruise
      • Disney World
      • East Caribbean Cruise
      • West Caribbean Cruise
    • Hawaii
    • Hiking
    • Hotel Tours
    • Japan
    • New York City
    • Seaside Florida
    • Smoky Mountains
    • Washington DC
  • Personal
    • View All
  • Reviews & Unboxings
    • View All
    • Beauty
    • Books
    • Candy & Sweets
    • Mom & Baby
    • Nut Butters
    • Nutrition Bars
    • Snacks
    • Specialty Food
    • Subscription Boxes
  • About Me

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas and GIVEAWAY!

12/20/2017 by Erin 146 Comments

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

Thanksgiving may be all about the pies, but Christmas is all about the cookies!  I find that people fall into one of two camps: those who love decorating holiday cookies, and those who don’t.

What may come as a surprise to most is that I fall into the latter camp.  While I love baking, gifting, and eating (of course) Christmas cookies and I love how the end result looks, I kind of hate any kind of fussy, time-consuming decorating.

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

I’m always on the lookout for some shortcut ideas for creating adorable, festive cookies without having to block off half of my day to get  them finished.  So if you find yourself needing to churn out a bunch of decorated cookies for an office/classroom party or cookie exchange, I’ll tell you how to create a variety batch of gorgeous cookies and you’ll still have time to collapse on the couch with your favorite Christmas movie and a mug of hot cider.

Ready?  Hold your breath… you’re gonna start with a box of Krusteaz Butter Vanilla Sugar cookie mix.  This is my all-time favorite boxed cookie mix and is the only one I feel good about serving or gifting to others.  They yield a buttery, perfectly chewy cookie and can totally pass as homemade.

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

Now for the decorating.  I wanted to decorate cookies that I could stack in tins and bags without worry of the frosting sticking or getting smeared.  Not wanting to deal with mixing royal icing and having to stress over getting it the perfect consistently, I opted to use chocolate melts instead.

Here is everything you need for this project:

  • White, dark, and or milk chocolate melting wafers.  I used Ghirardelli brand because they melt perfectly and taste fantastic
  • A batch of sugar cookies, baked and fully cooled
  • A double boiler
  • Wax paper
  • A variety of holiday sprinkles or colored sanding sugar – anything and everything will work
  • Crushed peppermint candies
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Chopped sweetened coconut flakes
  • Finely-chopped toasted nuts

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

Melting the chocolate:  Though you can use a microwave to melt the chocolate, I think that using a double boiler is easier when dipping cookies, because once the chocolate is melted you can keep the top bowl over the simmering water and keep the chocolate fluid without worrying about it cooling and becoming lumpy before you’ve finished dipping your cookies.  You’ll want to fill the bottom of the double boiler with about an inch of water, place the chocolate in the top bowl and heat on medium low with the lid on, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted.

Dipping the cookies:  Dip half of each cookie and then transfer to wax paper.  You’ll want to decorate the cookies after every half dozen or so that you’ve dipped to ensure that the chocolate doesn’t cool and harden too much and will be able to hang onto your decorations.  If your melted chocolate isn’t deep enough to dip the cookies straight down, you can dip the fronts and the backs separately by rotating the cookie towards and away from you… or you can just dip the tops!  Allow the decorated cookies to cool completely before stacking (you can put them in the freezer for a bit to speed up this step).

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

Decorating the cookies:  I don’t even need to give you much instruction for this part – just go to down with those sprinkles and toppings!  The sprinkles will simply look cute, while toppings such as crushed peppermint, sea salt, and chopped coconut will add some extra flavor.  You can even use a fork to drizzle on some of the opposite color of chocolate.

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

This is one of my favorite decorating tricks – use Christmas tree shaped sprinkles (I use the trees from this mix) and some small red sprinkles to create holly leaves and berries!  Wilton also makes a special holly mix sprinkles that would be perfect.

What Kind of Cookies To Make?

You can’t throw a candy cane without it shattering against 100 different cookie recipes this time of year, so how in the world do you decide which ones to make to take to all of those holiday parties and cookie swaps?  Try taking this fun quiz, the Cookie Helper, to determine your cookie personality and get your perfect recipe.  In addition, for taking the quiz you’ll get a coupon for a Krusteaz cookie mix and be entered to win a gift card for $100!

Krusteaz Cookie Mix Prize Pack Giveaway!

Easy Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas

Because cookies really are the ultimate Christmas treat, I’m giving away a prize pack of Krusteaz goodies!  One randomly chosen winner will receive everything in the photo above, including a variety of cookie mixes, cookie cutters, and an amazing bottle of fancy, wintry sprinkles!  You’ll also receive a Krusteaz-branded red tote bag.  Just use the widget below to enter!  The giveaway ends Wednesday, December 27th.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post brought to you by Krusteaz, but does not affect the opinions that we share with you all.

You Might Like These Posts:

Dailies | Cookie Decorating with a Toddler + Giveaway 10 Fun Christmas Cookie Ideas Gingerbread thumbprint cookies with butter rum filling . I LOVE these - so chewy and delicious for the holidays!Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies with Butter Rum Filling Huge list of easy, adorable, spooky, and scary Halloween cookie ideas!15 Easy Halloween Cookie Ideas Brownie Batter Christmas Crunch Snack Mix - this mix is SO chocolate-y and you can use any combination of cereals that you like. Leave out the sprinkles or use different colors for different holidaysBrownie Batter Christmas Crunch Chocolate Toffee Dipped Sugar Cookies Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringues Christmas cookies! Soft, pillowy sugar cookies covered in vanilla bean frosting - reminiscent of Lofthouse cookies you find in the grocery store.Soft Vanilla Bean Frosted Sugar Cookies (Lofthouse Copycat)

Filed Under: Cookies 'n Cupcakes, Food, giveaways, Holidays, Recipes

About Erin

Erin is a mom of two human babies and two fur-covered babies. She loves comfy pajamas, eats too much peanut butter, and watches excessive amounts of Netflix. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram.

« The Best Turkey Burgers with Greek Yogurt Aioli
Dark Chocolate Mint Trifle »

Comments

  1. Chris L says

    12/26/2017 at 1:08 am

    I love chocolate chip cookies.

    Reply
  2. Daniel Scott says

    12/26/2017 at 12:17 am

    My wife takes you gingerbread mix, 1/3 cup of water, 1 cup raisins and 1 cup almonds or other nuts. Then she rolls the mix into balls and bakes them for 10 minutes at 350.

    Reply
  3. Sarah Mathias says

    12/25/2017 at 11:44 pm

    I love peanut butter cookies around Christmas time.

    Reply
  4. Alicia Webster says

    12/25/2017 at 11:17 pm

    I love chewy, soft molasses cookies and five layer bars.

    Reply
  5. Cheryl VanBrunt says

    12/25/2017 at 10:59 pm

    I like sugar cookies!

    Reply
  6. shawna says

    12/25/2017 at 10:13 pm

    Sugar cookies are my fav.

    Reply
  7. Charlene says

    12/25/2017 at 9:26 pm

    My favorite cookie is definitely a snickerdoodle. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Lisa says

    12/25/2017 at 8:46 pm

    I like snowball cookies.

    Reply
  9. Rose Santuci-Sofranko says

    12/25/2017 at 6:15 pm

    Can I say Chocolate Chip Cookies? They are my fave anytime! Yum! Thanks and God Bless!

    Reply
  10. Tracy Shafer says

    12/25/2017 at 5:10 pm

    sugar cookie cutouts

    Reply
  11. Hesper Fry says

    12/25/2017 at 3:39 pm

    I like Sugar cookies with Frosting best.

    Reply
  12. Molly says

    12/25/2017 at 2:50 pm

    I like old fashioned chocolate chip cookies!

    Reply
  13. Jenny Scheldberg says

    12/25/2017 at 1:57 pm

    Peanut butter blossoms.

    Reply
  14. Kyl Neusch says

    12/25/2017 at 1:10 pm

    Shortbread

    Reply
  15. EMMA L HORTON says

    12/25/2017 at 1:02 pm

    I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES.

    Reply
  16. Melissa Shirley says

    12/25/2017 at 12:34 pm

    I like sugar cookies, and I love making them so the kids can decorate them with icing and sprinkles.

    Reply
  17. Audrey Stewart says

    12/25/2017 at 10:54 am

    I love chocolate chip cookies.

    Reply
  18. Kim says

    12/25/2017 at 2:58 am

    I like Kiffles and Thumbprint cookies.

    Reply
  19. Mia J says

    12/25/2017 at 1:10 am

    I like frosted sugar cookies.

    Reply
  20. Anne Higgins says

    12/25/2017 at 1:01 am

    frosted sugar cookies

    Reply
  21. Brian L says

    12/24/2017 at 11:44 pm

    Sugar Cookies sprinkled with Ginger before baking.

    Reply
  22. Jaylee says

    12/24/2017 at 9:58 pm

    Shortbread!

    Reply
  23. Michelle Donovan says

    12/24/2017 at 8:23 pm

    Sugar cookies for sure! yum

    Reply
  24. Lisa V. says

    12/24/2017 at 7:53 pm

    My favorite are sugar cookies.

    Reply
  25. Julie Bickham says

    12/24/2017 at 7:45 pm

    Peanut butter blossoms.

    Reply
  26. Wendy McBride says

    12/24/2017 at 3:44 pm

    Iced Christmas Sugar cookies from a local lady that makes them

    Reply
  27. Linda Lansford says

    12/24/2017 at 1:20 pm

    I love decorated sugar cookies

    Reply
  28. Erica B. says

    12/24/2017 at 12:37 pm

    Chocolate chip

    Reply
  29. Danielle says

    12/24/2017 at 12:15 pm

    sugar cookies with peppermint chocolate candy piece in the middle

    Reply
  30. Robin says

    12/24/2017 at 11:17 am

    My favorite are gingerbread cookies.

    Reply
  31. Ashley Kolpak says

    12/24/2017 at 9:13 am

    I love oatmeal raisin

    Reply
  32. Mary Somerville says

    12/24/2017 at 2:34 am

    I love 7 Layer Bars!

    Reply
  33. Angie Ford says

    12/24/2017 at 1:53 am

    Frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles!

    Reply
  34. Susan Smith says

    12/24/2017 at 12:24 am

    My favorite Christmas cookie is Snickerdoodles.

    Reply
  35. Jennifer Reed says

    12/24/2017 at 12:12 am

    I love Christmas Snowball cookies.

    Reply
  36. Tara Darity says

    12/23/2017 at 10:30 pm

    I love thumbprint cookies. Been trying to find my dad’s old recipe for christmas!

    Reply
  37. Karin A says

    12/23/2017 at 10:25 pm

    I really like decorated sugar cookies.

    Reply
  38. Linda Woodfin says

    12/23/2017 at 10:02 pm

    I love decorated sugar cookies!

    Reply
  39. Kristin McCall says

    12/23/2017 at 5:14 pm

    My favorite Christmas cookies are iced sugar cookies.

    Reply
  40. Lisa Weidknecht says

    12/23/2017 at 4:15 pm

    I love seven layer cookies.

    Reply
  41. Dee Johnson says

    12/23/2017 at 12:17 pm

    Snickerdoodle cookies are my fave.

    Reply
  42. Belinda Shaw says

    12/23/2017 at 10:42 am

    I enjoy sugar cookies with sprinkles

    Reply
  43. Kristi C says

    12/23/2017 at 6:33 am

    My favorite Christmas cookie is Snickerdoodles.

    Reply
  44. Dana Rodriguez says

    12/23/2017 at 3:30 am

    Snickerdoodles are mine!

    Reply
  45. Glendy C says

    12/23/2017 at 3:21 am

    Gingerbread cookies

    Reply
  46. Sharon Yarrell says

    12/23/2017 at 3:15 am

    Chocolate chip

    Reply
  47. Don D says

    12/22/2017 at 11:48 pm

    I love Lemon Cookies at Christmas time.

    Reply
  48. David Basile says

    12/22/2017 at 11:08 pm

    Chocolate Chip

    Reply
  49. Laura Schrillo says

    12/22/2017 at 9:26 pm

    gingerbread

    Reply
  50. Cheryl Everitt says

    12/22/2017 at 9:26 pm

    Gingerbread

    Reply
  51. Julie says

    12/22/2017 at 8:12 pm

    I love gingerbread at Christmas!

    Reply
  52. Sara Perrera says

    12/22/2017 at 7:44 pm

    My mom makes the best snowball cookies every Christmas

    Reply
  53. Leela says

    12/22/2017 at 5:02 pm

    Big, soft sugar cookies.

    Reply
  54. sylvia says

    12/22/2017 at 4:55 pm

    I love frosted sugar cookies, but they are such a pain to make. :/

    Reply
  55. Cindy Merrill says

    12/22/2017 at 4:39 pm

    Ginger bread cookies, preferably soft.

    Reply
  56. Tracy Davis says

    12/22/2017 at 4:33 pm

    I love gingerbread cookies!

    Reply
  57. Lana Simanovicki says

    12/22/2017 at 3:03 pm

    I like to msle the xmas tree cookies

    Reply
  58. Kim Avery says

    12/22/2017 at 2:10 pm

    I love Gingerbread cookies!

    Reply
  59. DeeAnn says

    12/22/2017 at 1:43 pm

    I like decorated cutout sugar cookies.

    Reply
  60. Dymphna says

    12/22/2017 at 1:18 pm

    Love biscochos a Mexican cookie

    Reply
  61. Johannah says

    12/22/2017 at 12:55 pm

    Nut Cresents, followed closely by Gingerbread men!

    Reply
  62. sandra says

    12/22/2017 at 12:29 pm

    I like candy cane cookies.

    Reply
  63. susan smoaks says

    12/22/2017 at 12:10 pm

    i love a good snickerdoodle. they are my favorite cookies.

    Reply
  64. crystle tellerday says

    12/22/2017 at 11:24 am

    gingerbread

    Reply
  65. Azeem Isaahaque says

    12/22/2017 at 9:57 am

    I like sugar cookies

    Reply
  66. DealinDiva says

    12/22/2017 at 3:24 am

    I like raspberry maple cookies.

    Reply
  67. Alison says

    12/22/2017 at 1:07 am

    My grandma makes some almond cookies at Christmastime that are my favorite!

    Reply
  68. John T Kirkpatrick says

    12/22/2017 at 12:09 am

    Triple chocolate truffles

    Reply
  69. cheryl s says

    12/21/2017 at 9:52 pm

    potato chip cookies are my favorite

    Reply
  70. Donna Clifford says

    12/21/2017 at 9:48 pm

    Classic Sugar cookies with buttercream frosting

    Reply
  71. barbg says

    12/21/2017 at 9:23 pm

    I love the pecan sandies covered in powdered sugar. I think they are called snowballs. I also like peanut butter cookies topped with buttercream frosting and dotted lightly with cinnamon red hots.

    Reply
  72. Alexandra Y says

    12/21/2017 at 8:53 pm

    I like frosted sugar cookies.

    Reply
  73. Deb says

    12/21/2017 at 8:07 pm

    My favorite cookie is a sugar cookie with sprinkles.

    Reply
  74. Lori Walker says

    12/21/2017 at 7:21 pm

    Our favorite are molasses cookies.

    Reply
  75. Vera Wilson says

    12/21/2017 at 6:36 pm

    If had to pick one chocolate chip.

    Reply
  76. Charlene S. says

    12/21/2017 at 6:34 pm

    Sugar cookies with royal icing is my favorite Christmas cookie.

    Reply
  77. Monique Rizzo says

    12/21/2017 at 1:07 pm

    I love SHortbread. It is so good with Coffee 🙂

    Reply
  78. Debbi Wellenstein says

    12/21/2017 at 12:33 pm

    For Christmas I love Mexican Wedding Cakes or Pecan Crescents.

    Reply
  79. Tim says

    12/21/2017 at 11:54 am

    I like oatmeal scotchies, specifically the butterscotch chips I eat before making them.

    Reply
  80. McKim says

    12/21/2017 at 11:21 am

    I like date pinwheel cookies.

    Reply
  81. Ashley C says

    12/21/2017 at 11:15 am

    I love iced sugar cookies

    Reply
  82. Kelly D says

    12/21/2017 at 11:06 am

    Gingerbread cookies are my favorite.

    Reply
  83. April says

    12/21/2017 at 10:25 am

    I love Snickerdoodles!

    Reply
  84. Christina Sparks says

    12/21/2017 at 10:05 am

    My favorite Christmas cookie is the Sugar Cookie.

    Reply
  85. deana says

    12/21/2017 at 9:44 am

    My favorite Christmas cookie is decorated sugar cookies!

    Reply
  86. Nicole Martin says

    12/21/2017 at 9:40 am

    I like peanut butter kisses!

    Reply
  87. Jessica Gipson says

    12/21/2017 at 9:30 am

    I love sugar cookies, with sprinkles.

    Reply
  88. Cynthia C says

    12/21/2017 at 8:53 am

    My favorite is cranberry walnut biscotti.

    Reply
  89. Tari Lawson says

    12/21/2017 at 8:41 am

    My favorite Christmas cookie is a cream cheese based dough filled with cherry preserves and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

    Reply
  90. angie says

    12/21/2017 at 4:50 am

    My favorite is Gingerbread Man Cookies.

    Reply
  91. Danielle Wood says

    12/21/2017 at 12:30 am

    My favorite is my mom’s chocolate chip with walnut cookies!

    Reply
  92. Cheryl says

    12/20/2017 at 11:38 pm

    My favorite Christmas cookies are Italian Wedding Cookies (aka Cocoa Wedding Cakes or Snowball Cookies).

    Reply
  93. Claudia Davis says

    12/20/2017 at 11:34 pm

    I love sugar cookies or molasses cookies.

    Reply
  94. Breanne says

    12/20/2017 at 10:51 pm

    I like snickerdoodles.

    Reply
  95. Renee G says

    12/20/2017 at 10:46 pm

    I love soft ginger cookies.

    Reply
  96. Lauren says

    12/20/2017 at 10:26 pm

    I like gingerbread cookies.

    Reply
  97. Ann Fantom says

    12/20/2017 at 10:05 pm

    Sand Tarts are my favorite Christmas cookie

    Reply
  98. Lynne T says

    12/20/2017 at 9:46 pm

    Gingerbread is my favorite. It’s the first one that makes me think Christmas time.

    Reply
  99. Jessica To says

    12/20/2017 at 8:35 pm

    I like seven layer cookies the best.

    Reply
  100. shelly peterson says

    12/20/2017 at 8:32 pm

    I love frosted sugar cookies.

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Hi, I'm Erin, and I blog about fun things! I cook food for my family and share the recipes here. We also like to camp, so there will be a fair bit about that around here, too.

Let’s Be Friends

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Recent Recipes

Party Food Ideas

Trolls Party Food Ideas! A giant list of snacks, desserts, cupcakes, cakes, cookies, snack mix, and everything else you need to throw the best Trolls party!
Moana Party Ideas! The only list you need for Moana party food ideas, because I know all of your little ones are begging for a Moana theme party this year! Find Moana cupcakes, Moana cookies, Moana snacks, Moana appetizers... all things MOANA!!

More Party Posts

Disney Trip Reports

More Disney Posts

The BEST Subscription Box For True Crime Lovers | Hunt A Killer Review

more reviews

Blog Archives

USFamilyGuide.com


Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress