Holiday baking is always a special tradition, and nothing says festive fun quite like making ugly sweater contest cookies. These charming treats combine classic sugar cookie flavors with vibrant, playful decorations that bring holiday cheer to any gathering. Whether you're hosting a party or looking for a fun baking project, this recipe will become your new favorite.
You’ll love how simple it is to create these 12 delightful ugly sweater contest cookies from scratch. The recipe is designed for easy prep and baking, with plenty of opportunities to get creative with your icing designs. Let’s dive in and get those ovens warmed up!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make with common ingredients you likely have on hand
- Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and contests
- Fun and customizable icing designs that let your creativity shine
- Soft, chewy texture with just the right amount of sweetness
- Makes exactly 12 cookies, ideal for sharing or gifting
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to make the dough and icing for your ugly sweater contest cookies.
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (for icing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
- Food coloring gels in red, green, white, blue, and yellow
- Assorted sprinkles and edible decorations
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Servings: 12 cookies
- Calories: Approximately 180 per cookie
How to Make Ugly Sweater Contest (12 Cookies) - Etsy – Recipe You'll Love
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness and use a sweater-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 12 cookies.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart and bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.
- For icing, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth; divide into small bowls and tint with food coloring gels.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles, creating festive ugly sweater patterns and details. Let icing set before serving or storing.
Tips for the Best Results
- Chill the dough well to keep cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing colors without thinning the glaze.
- Pipe details with small round tips or toothpicks for precision in your sweater designs.
- Let icing dry completely at room temperature before stacking cookies to avoid smudging.
- Experiment with different sprinkles and edible glitter for extra festive flair.
Storage and Reheating
Store your ugly sweater contest cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh and soft. If you want to keep them longer, freezing the decorated cookies in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container works well for up to 2 months.
To enjoy the cookies after freezing, let them thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. Reheating in the microwave is not recommended as it can soften the icing and alter the texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different shape for these cookies?
Absolutely! While the ugly sweater shape is festive and fun, you can use any cookie cutter shape you prefer, such as stars or trees, and decorate them accordingly.
What if I don’t have a sweater cookie cutter?
You can create your own template by printing a sweater shape and cutting around it with a knife, or use other holiday-themed cutters for variety.
How do I make sure the icing sets properly?
Allow the decorated cookies to sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight so the icing can harden completely before stacking or packaging.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 48 hours or frozen for up to 1 month before rolling and cutting.
