Magical Snowflake Cookies – Easy Winter Treats You’ll Love to Make!

Nothing says winter like sparkling snowflakes, and now you can create your very own snowflake cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat! These Snowflake Cookies are soft sugar cookies decorated with shiny royal icing in beautiful shades of white, silver, and blue. And don’t forget the edible glitter—it makes the cookies look like they’re dusted with frost. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or just enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa, this recipe is easy enough for anyone to follow. Let’s get baking and bring a little sparkle to your winter!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Super Fun to Decorate: You can be as creative as you want with colors and designs.

Easy for Beginners: Simple steps and basic ingredients make this recipe foolproof.

Perfect for Winter Parties: They’re festive, eye-catching, and a total crowd-pleaser.

Great Activity for Families: Everyone can join in on the decorating fun, no matter their age!

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Ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookies:

Flour (3 cups): The main ingredient that gives the cookies their shape.

Baking Powder (1/2 tsp): Helps the cookies rise slightly so they’re soft but not puffy.

Salt (1/4 tsp): Brings out the flavors.

Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Adds a rich, buttery taste.

Sugar (1 cup): Makes the cookies sweet and yummy.

Egg (1 large): Holds everything together.

Simply Organic Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Adds a sweet, warm flavor.

Almond Extract (1/2 tsp, optional): Adds a little extra something special.

For the Royal Icing:

Powdered Sugar (4 cups, sifted): The base of the icing that makes it smooth and glossy.

Meringue Powder (3 tbsp): Helps the icing harden so it doesn’t smudge.

Water (9 tbsp): Thins the icing to the perfect consistency.

Gel Food Coloring (white, silver, and blue): For your frosty designs.

Edible Glitter or Luster Dust: Makes the cookies sparkle like snow!

What You’ll Need:

• Snowflake-shaped cookie cutters
• Piping bags and fine tips (for decorating)
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper (to keep cookies from sticking)
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Cooling racks

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

1. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture. Beat until everything is smooth.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Divide the dough into two pieces. Flatten each piece into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and put it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. (This makes it easier to roll out later.)

Step 2: Roll Out and Cut the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Take one disk of dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick. (Not too thick or thin—just right!)
3. Use snowflake cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the cookies about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
4. Roll out the second disk of dough and repeat.
5. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Royal Icing

1. In a large bowl, mix the powdered sugar and meringue powder.
2. Add the water and mix on low speed until combined. Then increase the speed to high and beat until the icing forms stiff peaks (like fluffy frosting).
3. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to create white, silver, and blue icings.
4. Adjust the icing’s thickness:
   • For outlining: The icing should be thicker (like toothpaste).
   • For flooding: Add a little water so it’s slightly thinner (like syrup).

Step 4: Decorate the Cookies

1. Scoop the icings into piping bags fitted with fine tips.
2. Outline the edges of each cookie with icing. Let it dry for a minute.
3. Fill (flood) the center with icing and use a toothpick to spread it to the edges.
4. Sprinkle with edible glitter or luster dust while the icing is still wet for a frosty effect.
5. Add extra details like dots, lines, or patterns using contrasting colors.
6. Let the cookies dry completely (overnight is best) before stacking or packaging them.

Recommended Products:

• Snowflake Cookie Cutters: Ann Clark Snowflake Cookie Cutter Set
• Meringue Powder: Wilton Meringue Powder
• Gel Food Coloring: AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste Food Colors
• Edible Glitter: Wilton Edible Glitter or Luster Dust
• Piping Bags and Tips: Wilton 55-Piece Cake Decorating Set

Pro Tips:

• Chill the Dough: Cold dough is easier to roll and keeps your cookies from spreading in the oven.
• Test Your Icing: Practice decorating on parchment paper to get the hang of it before working on the cookies.
• Be Patient: Let the cookies dry fully before moving or packing them. It’s worth the wait!

Storage:

• Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing.

Fun Variations:

• Add Sprinkles: Mix snowflake-shaped sprinkles into the icing for extra fun.
• Flavor the Dough: Swap almond extract for orange or lemon extract for a citrusy twist.
• Go Bold: Use darker blues or metallic silver food coloring for a dramatic winter theme.

ALSO READ: Spook-tacular Halloween Cookie Designs to Haunt Your Treat Table

Why They’re Magical Snowflake Cookies:

These snowflake cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re a fun way to bring a little winter magic to your table. Decorate them however you like, share them with friends, or gift them in a pretty box. No two snowflakes are alike, and that’s the best part. Happy baking! ❄️🍪✨

Elegant Snowflake Cookies with Royal Icing ❄️✨

Czardilyn Buyawe

Celebrate the winter season with these stunning snowflake cookies, delicately decorated with royal icing in shimmering shades of white, silver, and blue, and finished with a frosty sprinkle of edible glitter. Perfect for parties, gifts, or simply indulging in a festive treat! 🧁💙

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Holiday Recipes

Servings 24 cookies (depending on cutter size).

Equipment

• Snowflake-shaped cookie cutters
• Piping bags with fine tips
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rolling Pin
• Baking sheets lined with parchment paper
• Cooling racks

Ingredients

  

For the Snowflake Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tbsp meringue powder
• 9 tbsp water
• Gel food coloring (white, silver, blue)
• Edible glitter or luster dust

Instructions

 

Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until fully combined.
• Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
• Divide the dough into two portions, shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Roll and Cut the Cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll out one disk of dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
• Cut out snowflake shapes using cookie cutters and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Repeat with the second disk of dough.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
• Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Royal Icing:

• Combine the sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder in a mixing bowl.
• Add water and beat on low speed until combined, then increase to high speed and whip until stiff peaks form.
• Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with white, silver, and blue gel food coloring.
• Adjust icing consistency as needed: thick for outlining, slightly thinner for flooding.

Decorate the Cookies:

• Transfer each icing color into separate piping bags with fine tips.
• Outline each snowflake with icing, then flood the center with the same or a contrasting color.
• While the icing is still wet, sprinkle with edible glitter or luster dust for a frosty, shimmering effect.
• Allow the cookies to dry completely at room temperature, ideally overnight.

Notes

Pro Tips:

• Icing Consistency: Achieve a toothpaste-like consistency for outlining and a syrup-like consistency for flooding. Add small amounts of water or powdered sugar to adjust as needed.
• Practice Piping: If you’re new to decorating, practice designs on parchment paper before working on the cookies.
• Storage: Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

By following these steps, you’ll create exquisite snowflake cookies that are almost too beautiful to eat—almost! Enjoy the festive fun of crafting and sharing these frosty treats. 🎄🍪

Keyword Snowflake cookies