10 Ways To Make Christmas Ornament Cookies

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than baking some delicious Christmas ornament cookies? These sweet treats are perfect for decorating your tree, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. In this article, we'll explore 10 ways to make Christmas ornament cookies that are sure to impress your friends and family.

The magic of Christmas ornament cookies lies in their versatility. You can customize them to fit your personal style, using a variety of techniques and ingredients to create unique and eye-catching designs. From classic sugar cookies to intricate royal icing designs, we'll cover it all. So, let's get started!

1. Classic Sugar Cookie Ornaments

To begin, we'll start with a classic recipe for sugar cookie ornaments. This recipe is a staple for any holiday baker and serves as a great base for more intricate designs.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Allow cookies to cool before decorating with colored sugar or sprinkles.

2. Royal Icing Ornaments

For a more intricate and delicate look, try using royal icing to create beautiful designs on your Christmas ornament cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp meringue powder
• 2 tbsp water
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

• Whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder.
• Gradually add water until icing reaches desired consistency.
• If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to tint the icing.
• Use a piping bag and tip to create intricate designs on cooled cookies.

3. Sprinkle Ornaments

Add a pop of color and fun to your Christmas ornament cookies with sprinkles.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sprinkles
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 tsp shortening (optional)

Instructions:

• Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval, until smooth.
• If desired, add a tsp of shortening to thin out the chocolate.
• Dip cooled cookies into melted chocolate, then roll in sprinkles to coat.
• Place cookies on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat to set.

4. Peanut Butter Blossom Ornaments

Peanut butter blossom cookies are a classic holiday treat that can be easily transformed into Christmas ornament cookies.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Hershey's Kisses

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Cream together peanut butter and sugar until smooth.
• Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Immediately press a Hershey's Kiss into the center of each cookie.

5. Shortbread Ornaments

Buttery shortbread cookies make perfect Christmas ornament cookies, especially when paired with a delicious royal icing.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
• Cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden.

6. Gingerbread Ornaments

Spicy gingerbread cookies make perfect Christmas ornament cookies, especially when paired with a sweet royal icing.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
• Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until firm to the touch.

7. Snickerdoodle Ornaments

Cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle cookies make perfect Christmas ornament cookies, especially when paired with a sweet royal icing.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups white granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp cinnamon sugar

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
• Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.

8. Linzer Ornaments

Jam-filled linzer cookies make perfect Christmas ornament cookies, especially when paired with a sweet royal icing.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup raspberry or apricot jam

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
• Cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Allow cookies to cool before filling with jam.

9. Russian Tea Cake Ornaments

Buttery Russian tea cake cookies make perfect Christmas ornament cookies, especially when paired with a sweet royal icing.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Cream together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.

10. Cranberry White Chocolate Ornaments

Dried cranberry and white chocolate cookies make perfect Christmas ornament cookies, especially when paired with a sweet royal icing.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
• Beat in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
• Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.

Now that you have 10 different ways to make Christmas ornament cookies, it's time to get baking! Remember to have fun and be creative with your designs. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and decorations to make your cookies truly unique. Happy baking!