Holiday Cookies Icing Drizzle

Featured in: Sweet Whispers

These holiday cookies feature a classic, buttery dough baked to golden perfection and finished with a sweet icing drizzle. The dough combines softened butter, sugar, and vanilla, creating tender rounds baked until lightly golden. Once cooled, a smooth icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla is drizzled over the cookies for a festive touch. Optional food coloring and sprinkles can add vibrant holiday flair. Perfect for sharing at gatherings or gifting during the season.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:52:00 GMT
Golden, round Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, drizzled with colorful icing, ready to be enjoyed! Save
Golden, round Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, drizzled with colorful icing, ready to be enjoyed! | butterhollow.com

Classic, buttery round cookies with a sweet, festive icing drizzle—perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.

I always enjoy making these cookies during the holidays as they bring warmth and joy to family gatherings.

Ingredients

  • Cookie Dough: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
  • Icing Drizzle: 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, 2 3 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Ingredients:
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla:
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Combine:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Form Cookies:
Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Flatten:
Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm to form rounds.
Bake:
Bake for 10 12 minutes, or until edges are just lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Icing:
In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzleable. Add food coloring if desired.
Drizzle Icing:
Drizzle icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Allow icing to set before serving.
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These cookies always bring smiles during family holiday celebrations, making every moment sweeter.

Notes

For a citrus twist, add 1 tsp lemon or orange zest to the dough.

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), egg, milk (dairy). Double-check all ingredients for traces of nuts or other allergens if needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120 per cookie. Total Fat: 6 g. Carbohydrates: 15 g. Protein: 1 g.

Buttery Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, freshly baked with a sweet vanilla icing, perfect for sharing. Save
Buttery Holiday Cookies with Icing Drizzle, freshly baked with a sweet vanilla icing, perfect for sharing. | butterhollow.com

Enjoy these festive treats with loved ones or as thoughtful holiday gifts that brighten any celebration.

Kitchen Tips & Answers

What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is recommended to provide the right balance of structure and tenderness in the cookies.

Can I use alternative sweeteners instead of granulated sugar?

While granulated sugar creates the ideal texture, natural sweeteners like coconut sugar can be used but may alter flavor and browning.

How should the dough be shaped before baking?

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, place on the baking sheet spaced 2 inches apart, then gently flatten each with a glass or palm to form rounds.

What is the best way to make the icing drizzle smooth?

Mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzleable; adjust milk quantity for desired consistency.

Can these cookies be stored after decorating?

Yes, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness and icing texture.

Holiday Cookies Icing Drizzle

Buttery round cookies topped with sweet icing drizzle, ideal for festive celebrations and sharing.

Prep duration
20 min
Heat duration
12 min
Complete duration
32 min
Created by Ella Thompson


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 24 Portions

Eating preferences Meat-free

What you'll need

Cookie Dough

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 1 large egg
04 2 tsp vanilla extract
05 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 1/2 tsp baking powder
07 1/4 tsp salt

Icing Drizzle

01 1 cup powdered sugar
02 2 to 3 tbsp milk
03 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
04 Food coloring (optional)

Method

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Phase 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Phase 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.

Phase 05

Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Phase 06

Shape Dough Balls: Roll dough into 1-inch diameter balls and arrange them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

Phase 07

Flatten Dough: Gently flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass or palm to create round shapes.

Phase 08

Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Phase 09

Prepare Icing Drizzle: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzle-able. Add food coloring if desired.

Phase 10

Apply Icing: Drizzle the prepared icing over cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Allow icing to set before serving.

Kitchen tools needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Spoon or piping bag

Allergy details

Always review individual ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy.

Nutrient breakdown per portion

Numbers shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 120
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Proteins: 1 g