How to Host a Christmas Cookie-Decorating Night
Sugar Cookies, Royal Icing and a Table Full of Festive Decorations
Makes
~30 cookies
Serves
6–8 people
Prep
Make ahead
Turn an evening at home into a cozy Christmas tradition with a table full of sugar cookies, colourful icing and festive decorations.
A Christmas cookie-decorating night can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Prepare the cookies and icing ahead, set out an assortment of decorations and let everyone create their own edible Christmas masterpieces.
This guide includes an easy sugar-cookie recipe, decorating icing, setup ideas, mess-control tips and simple ways to adapt the evening for children, teenagers or adults.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
These buttery vanilla sugar cookies hold their shape well and provide a smooth surface for decorating.
Ingredients
- —1 cup butter, softened
- —1 cup granulated sugar
- —1 large egg, at room temperature
- —2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- —½ teaspoon almond extract, optional
- —3 cups all-purpose flour
- —½ teaspoon baking powder
- —½ teaspoon salt
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
Add the Egg and Flavouring
Add the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract, if using. Beat until smooth and well combined.
Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a flat disc. Wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
The dough can be refrigerated for up to two days.
Roll and Cut the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough approximately ¼ inch thick. Cut it into Christmas shapes using cookie cutters.
Trees, stars, snowflakes, stockings, gingerbread people and simple circles all work well.
Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving approximately one inch between them.
Bake
Bake for 8–11 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. The centres should look set and the edges should be only lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Cool completely before decorating.
Easy Royal Icing
This icing dries firmly enough for cookies to be stacked or packaged after decorating.
Ingredients
- —4 cups icing sugar
- —3 tablespoons meringue powder
- —5–6 tablespoons warm water
- —1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- —Gel food colouring
Add the icing sugar, meringue powder, five tablespoons of warm water and vanilla to a large mixing bowl.
Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and continue beating for approximately 4–5 minutes, until the icing is smooth and glossy.
If the icing is too thick, add more water ½ teaspoon at a time. A small amount of water can change the consistency quickly.
Divide the icing between several bowls and tint each portion with gel food colouring.
Transfer the icing into piping bags or squeeze bottles and keep the openings covered until you're ready to decorate.
How Much to Prepare
For a group of six to eight people, plan for:
- —4–6 cookies per person
- —4 or 5 icing colours
- —6–8 different decorations
- —1 piping bag or squeeze bottle for each icing colour
- —Extra cookies in case of breakage — or enthusiastic decorators
Double the sugar-cookie recipe if you want everyone to take several cookies home.
Decorating Supplies
Choose a combination of simple decorations rather than purchasing every Christmas sprinkle available. Try:
- —Red, green and white royal icing
- —Soft pink or pale blue icing for a modern colour palette
- —Gold or silver sanding sugar
- —Christmas sprinkles
- —Mini chocolate chips
- —Crushed candy canes
- —Shredded coconut for snow
- —Small candies
- —Pearl sprinkles
- —Coloured sugar
- —Melted white or dark chocolate
- —Edible glitter, optional
Place each decoration in a small bowl and add a separate spoon to reduce spills and sticky fingers.
Piping Bags
Disposable icing bags make cleanup easy and keep each colour separate. I use Wilton 16-inch Disposable Decorating Bags — they're sturdy, easy to fill and widely available.
Shop on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Setting Up the Decorating Table
Cover the Table
Cover the table with kraft paper, parchment paper or a washable tablecloth. Kraft paper works especially well because it protects the surface and gives the setup a relaxed, creative look.
You can also write each guest's name directly on the paper to mark individual decorating spaces.
Create Individual Workstations
Give each person:
- —A small plate or tray
- —A sheet of parchment paper
- —Several plain cookies
- —A butter knife, toothpick or cookie-decorating tool
- —A damp cloth or paper towel
- —A box or plate for finished cookies
Place the shared icing and decorations in the centre of the table where everyone can reach them.
Organize the Icing
Stand piping bags upright in sturdy glasses or mugs, with the tips pointing upward.
For younger children, squeeze bottles are often easier to control and create less mess than piping bags.
Keep Finished Cookies Separate
Set aside a second table, counter or baking sheet for completed cookies. Write each person's name on a piece of parchment paper so everyone knows which cookies belong to them.
Royal icing generally needs 6–8 hours to dry completely before cookies are stacked or packaged.
Keep the Food Simple
Because the cookies are the activity, you don't need an elaborate meal. Serve a few easy snacks before decorating begins so everyone isn't filling up on icing and candy. Good options include:
- —A simple cheese-and-cracker board
- —Fresh fruit
- —Vegetable sticks and dip
- —Pizza or flatbread
- —Popcorn
- —Warm pretzel bites
Offer hot chocolate, coffee, tea, milk or sparkling cranberry punch to drink.
Ideas for Different Ages
Young Children
Pre-fill squeeze bottles with icing and use larger sprinkles and candies that are easier to handle.
Give each child three or four cookies at a time rather than placing the entire batch on the table.
Don't worry about complicated designs. Let them create, taste and enjoy the experience.
Teenagers
Create a friendly decorating challenge with categories such as:
- —Most creative
- —Funniest cookie
- —Best use of colour
- —Most likely to appear in a bakery
- —Most unexpectedly festive
Let everyone vote anonymously at the end.
Adults
Choose a more refined colour palette and include decorating tools for detailed designs.
Serve festive cocktails, mulled wine or Irish coffee alongside the hot chocolate. Adults may also enjoy decorating cookies for a local fundraiser, neighbour or holiday gathering.
Make-Ahead Schedule
Two Days Before
- —Make the cookie dough.
- —Gather the cookie cutters and decorating supplies.
- —Prepare take-home boxes or containers.
One Day Before
- —Bake and cool the cookies.
- —Prepare the royal icing.
- —Cover the table and arrange the empty bowls and serving pieces.
The Day of the Party
- —Divide and colour the icing.
- —Fill the piping bags or squeeze bottles.
- —Place decorations in small bowls.
- —Arrange the cookies on platters.
- —Prepare drinks and simple snacks.
- —Set out parchment-lined trays for completed cookies.
Take-Home Cookie Boxes
Simple kraft bakery boxes make attractive and inexpensive take-home containers.
Line each box with parchment paper and add a small piece of ribbon or twine after the icing has dried. You can also include a handwritten tag with the decorator's name.
If guests need to leave before the icing has completely dried, place the cookies in a single layer in a shallow box and leave the lid slightly open.
Helpful Tips
- —Bake a few extra cookies in case some break.
- —Keep icing bags covered so the tips don't dry out.
- —Have toothpicks available for spreading icing and correcting small details.
- —Use gel food colouring rather than liquid colouring so the icing doesn't become too thin.
- —Set out more napkins than you think you'll need.
- —Keep a damp cloth nearby for quick cleanup.
- —Photograph the cookies before everyone takes them home.
- —Remember that imperfect cookies are usually the most memorable ones.
Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas from The Hungry Raven.
Homemade. Heartfelt. Seasonal.
Join the Nest
Get 10 Free Hungry Raven Recipes
Sign up and receive The Cozy Weeknight Dinner Plan — five cozy dinners and five irresistible desserts, with ingredient checklists and step-by-step instructions.
You'll also receive approachable recipes and inspiration from The Hungry Raven. Unsubscribe anytime.