Christmas Light Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Christmas Light Cookies are the easiest and cutest way to “light up” the holidays! This foolproof recipe is so simple because it starts with a cookie mix combined with only 2 ingredients (plus water) and ends with deliciously decorated Christmas confections.

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cookies

Calories: 605kcal

Author: Jennifer Fishkind

Ingredients

Cookies:

17.9 ounce bag Snickerdoodle cookie mix (discard cinnamon sugar mix)
½ cup (1 stick) salted butter melted
1 large egg
1 tbsp water

Decorations:

16 ounce tub white cookie icing or 2 (7 ounce) tubes white cooking icing
7 ounce tube black cookie icing
10.1 ounce package mini M&Ms (red, blue, green, orange, and yellow)
1-2 tbsp milk or water optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the cookie mix (mine was 375 degrees Fahrenheit) and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or cooking spray.
Use the cookie mix, salted butter, egg and water to prepare the snickerdoodle cookie mix according to instructions on the package. You will not need the cinnamon sugar mix for this recipe.
Roll dough into 2-inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Bake cookies for the given time on the package (generally about 10-12 minutes or until the edges set) and then let cool completely.
Decorate the cookies by spreading the white cookie icing onto the tops of the cookies to act like a base. Use a wet knife, piping bag, or tube. Create a smooth circle that nearly touches the edges of the cookie. For a glossier frosting finish, mix 1-2 Tablespoons of milk or water with the frosting.
Use the black cookie icing to pipe connecting loops, swirls, or lines onto the cookies to act as a Christmas light strand.
Press the mini M&Ms sideways onto the black frosted lines to create the Christmas light bulbs.

Notes

Storage:

To Store: To store these cookies, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They will stay fresh for a few days.
To Freeze: You can freeze these cookies for up to six months if you individually wrap them and place them in a freezer-safe container.

Tips:

I find it helpful to let the white icing dry before using black writing gel to draw the light strands.
Once you’ve added the black cookie icing, place the M&Ms on immediately, and push into the gel so they stick.
For a glossier frosting finish, mix 1-2 Tablespoons of milk or water with the frosting.
If you don’t want to water down your frosting with milk or water, wet your fingers or a knife with water and pat the icing together to smooth out the lines and create a smooth surface.
For even easier Christmas cookies, you can skip the baking process and buy pre-packaged cookies to decorate instead.

Nutrition