Christmas Cookies that Look like Gifts: Decorating Tutorial

Little square cookies are just the right size for gift-giving or for serving at a party; little square cookies decorated like Christmas presents are even better.

Though they look professional, these adorable Christmas cookies are easier to make than you might think. And during the height of the baking season, when there are so many adorable cookies to choose from, these festive lookers will certainly stand out. Check out the simple tutorial below.

Supplies:

Sugar cookie dough
Royal icing
1 1/2-inch square cookie cutter
White, red and green food coloring
5 disposable decorating bags
3 couplers
2 size "3" decorating tips
1 size "2" decorating tip
Rubber bands
Toothpicks

Note: Use any size square cookie cutter you prefer. Shown 1 1/2 inches across. Find the cookie cutter, disposable decorating bags, coupler, and decorating tips in the craft store. For food coloring, I suggest Americolor Soft Gel Paste, Bright White, Electric Green and Red Red, available in specialty stores and online.

If you're new to cookie decorating, check out my tips on basic cookie decorating before you get started!

Directions: 

Step 1: Roll out your cookie dough according to the recipe, about 1/4-inch thick. Cut out squares. Arrange on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake according to the recipe. Let cool completely. 

Step 2: Prepare royal icing according to the recipe, divide and tint red, green and white. Prepare 3 decorating bags with couplers and tips. Fill two decorating bags fitted with size "4" tips with half of your red and green icings. Fill a decorating bag fitted with a size "2" tip with white icing. Close the bags tightly with rubber bands and cover the reserved red and green icing.

Step 3: Pipe a red or green outline on the cookies. Let set about 15 minutes. Thin both the red and green icings with water, a few drops at a time, stirring well, until the consistency is of thick glue. Fill two empty decorating bags with the thinned red and green icings. Close with rubber bands. Snip 1/4-inch from the tip of each bag and loosely pipe to fill the cookies with red or green icing. Let the icing flood to the outlines, encouraging as needed with a toothpick. Let set well, several hours or overnight.

Step 4: Pipe a white bow on the cookies and let dry.

More Christmas Cookies to Try:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Cookie Pops

Oh, Christmas Tree! Cookie Pops

Festive Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches