Ugly Sweater Cookies

Oh my gosh, you guys! I just made the cutest ugly sweater cookies. They are so fun and messy in the best way.

You know those ugly holiday sweaters everyone laughs at? Well, I turned them into cookies! I love decorating them with all the colors and sprinkles—it’s like Christmas on a plate.

I promise, these cookies make everyone smile. They are soft, sweet, and super fun to make with friends or kids. Just imagining them on the holiday table makes me so happy.

You totally need to try these! Grab some dough, some frosting, and go wild with colors. Trust me, it’s the most fun you’ll have baking this season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fun and Festive: These cookies are perfect for the holiday season, bringing a playful twist to the traditional Christmas sweater.
• Customizable: You can get as creative as you want with colors and patterns using frosting and sprinkles.
• Great for Kids: This is an excellent baking project to do with kids since they can decorate the cookies however they like.
• A Showstopper for Cookie Exchanges: Ugly Sweater Cookies are guaranteed to be the talk of your holiday cookie exchange.
• Perfect for Gifting: Pack them up in a cute box or bag to give as holiday gifts to friends, family, or coworkers.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, here are the tools you’ll need for making these Ugly Sweater Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: For mixing the dough and frosting.
• Electric Mixer or Hand Whisk: For creaming the butter and sugar together smoothly.
• Whisk: To mix the dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Rolling Pin: For rolling out the dough to the right thickness.
• Sweater-Shaped Cookie Cutters: These are essential for cutting the cookies into the classic ugly sweater shape.
• Baking Sheet: To place your cookies on before baking.
• Parchment Paper: To line your baking sheet, making cleanup easier and preventing cookies from sticking.
• Cooling Rack: For letting your cookies cool before decorating.

Ingredients

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to make these whimsical cookies:

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Butter gives the cookies a rich, tender texture.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to their crisp edges.
• 1 large egg: Provides structure and helps bind the dough together.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a delicious, aromatic flavor to the cookies.
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, which provides structure.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness of the cookies and enhances the flavor.

For Decorating:

• Assorted food coloring: Bright, vibrant colors are key to creating those fun ugly sweater designs.
• Assorted colored frosting: Use a variety of colors to pipe fun patterns on your cookies. You can either use store-bought frosting or make your own (recipe below).
• Assorted sprinkles and candies: Perfect for adding extra flair to your cookies, like festive sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or edible glitter.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Ugly Sweater Cookies

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of adorable, delicious Ugly Sweater Cookies in no time!

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or hand whisk to beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.

2. Add the Egg and Vanilla Extract

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined. You should see a smooth, creamy texture.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps and the ingredients are evenly mixed.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients with the Wet Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well incorporated.

5. Chill the Dough

Once your cookie dough is ready, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step helps prevent the dough from spreading too much while baking and ensures that your cookies hold their shape.

6. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.

7. Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a sweater-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

8. Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on the size and thickness of the cookies.

9. Let the Cookies Cool

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s important that the cookies are completely cooled before decorating to prevent the frosting from melting.

Decorating Your Ugly Sweater Cookies

Now comes the fun part—decorating your Ugly Sweater Cookies! You can get as creative as you like with patterns, colors, and textures. Here’s how to make your cookies as festive and fun as possible:

1. Prepare the Frosting

You can either use store-bought frosting or make your own. Here’s a quick recipe for a simple buttercream frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk (or more for desired consistency)

Cream the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, then mix in the vanilla extract and milk. If you need thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar. Divide the frosting into small bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each, creating different colors for the sweater patterns.

2. Pipe the Frosting onto the Cookies

Using a piping bag fitted with various tips (or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip of one corner snipped off), pipe the frosting onto the cookies. You can create designs like stripes, zig-zags, dots, and even fun holiday-themed images like Christmas trees, snowflakes, or little gifts.

3. Add Sprinkles and Candies

Once the frosting is applied, add festive sprinkles, mini candies, or edible glitter for some extra flair. Think red and green sprinkles, mini M&Ms, candy canes, or even tiny chocolate chips.

4. Let the Cookies Set

After decorating, allow the frosting to set for about 15-30 minutes before serving or packaging the cookies. This ensures the frosting won’t smear when you touch it.

Variations for Ugly Sweater Cookies

If you want to get even more creative with your Ugly Sweater Cookies, here are some variations you can try:

• Try Different Cookie Shapes: While the sweater shape is traditional, you can also try using other holiday-themed cookie cutters like snowflakes, Christmas trees, or reindeer.
• Use Royal Icing: For more intricate designs, you can use royal icing instead of buttercream. Royal icing hardens when it dries, which makes it perfect for detailed patterns.
• Make Them Gluten-Free: If you need a gluten-free version, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the frosting and sprinkles are gluten-free as well.
• Add Chocolate Chips: You can add mini chocolate chips to the dough before baking to create extra deliciousness in each bite.

Serving Ugly Sweater Cookies

These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a fun dessert for family gatherings. Here are a few ideas on how to serve them:

• As a Cookie Platter: Arrange the cookies on a festive platter and serve them alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies or sugar cookies.
• At a Cookie Exchange: These cookies will stand out in any cookie exchange, and they’ll definitely make people smile when they see them.
• As a Gift: Wrap the cookies in cute holiday gift bags or boxes and give them as gifts to friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors.

Storing Ugly Sweater Cookies

• Room Temperature: Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This will keep the cookies soft and fresh.
• In the Freezer: If you want to make the cookies ahead of time, you can freeze them. Simply freeze the baked cookies (without frosting) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, defrost them and decorate as usual.

Nutrition Information

Here’s a rough breakdown of the nutrition information for one Ugly Sweater Cookie (based on 24 cookies):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	170
Total Fat	7g
Saturated Fat	4g
Cholesterol	20mg
Sodium	40mg
Total Carbohydrates	26g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars	15g
Protein	1g

(Note: Nutritional information will vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

Conclusion

Ugly Sweater Cookies are not only delicious, but they also bring a sense of whimsy and fun to any holiday occasion. Whether you’re baking them for a party, a cookie exchange, or just as a fun family activity, these cookies are sure to make a lasting impression. Their playful designs and festive colors will add extra cheer to your holiday celebrations. Follow this easy recipe to create a batch of these delightful cookies, and don’t forget to get creative with the decorating—you can’t go wrong with these adorable and tasty treats!