Festive Green Sugar Cookies Recipe
Get ready to bring color and cheer to your dessert table with Festive Green Sugar Cookies! These dazzling treats combine classic sugar cookie goodness with a playful, vibrant hue and a tantalizing sparkle from green sanding sugar or sprinkles. They’re crisp on the outside, tender in the center, and infused with buttery vanilla flavor—plus a hint of almond if you wish. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday, a party, or just a burst of midweek joy, Festive Green Sugar Cookies add a merry touch and are guaranteed to disappear fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about how simple, staple pantry items come together to create something utterly magical. Each ingredient in Festive Green Sugar Cookies does its part: they lend structure, lift, flavor, and, of course, that iconic green glow.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that brings the cookie dough together and gives each bite its satisfying crumb.
- Baking soda: Ensures a soft interior and just the right amount of rise.
- Baking powder: Boosts the cookies’ lightness and softness even further.
- Salt: A small touch, but it balances all the sweet flavors perfectly.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The key to rich flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping achieve a light, golden exterior.
- Large egg: Brings moisture and provides structure, holding everything together.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with deep, classic cookie flavor.
- Almond extract (optional): Adds a delicate, nutty undertone that elevates the flavor.
- Green food coloring: The showstopper—transforming these cookies into their signature, eye-catching green.
- Green sanding sugar or sprinkles: Rolled outside each cookie, they deliver festive sparkle and a delightful sugary crunch.
How to Make Festive Green Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this not only keeps your cookies from sticking, but also makes cleanup a breeze. Getting everything ready in advance sets you up for smooth, stress-free baking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures all your leaveners are distributed evenly, so your Festive Green Sugar Cookies bake up with perfect texture every time.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step incorporates air, which helps your cookies achieve that lovely, soft center without being cakey.
Step 4: Add Egg, Extracts, and Food Coloring
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and then add your green food coloring. Blend until everything is smooth and evenly tinted—add more food coloring if you want a bolder shade! This is where your cookies start to take on their fabulous personality.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Be sure not to overmix, as that can lead to tougher cookies. Stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain—the dough should feel soft and easy to handle.
Step 6: Shape and Decorate
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Next, roll the dough balls in green sanding sugar or sprinkles, coating them generously. This is what gives your Festive Green Sugar Cookies that festive, sparkling exterior.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Arrange the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still just a little soft. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack—they’ll finish setting up as they cool.
How to Serve Festive Green Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Serve your Festive Green Sugar Cookies with extra sprinkles or a dust of powdered sugar right before arranging on a plate. If you’re feeling extra, a drizzle of white chocolate atop cooled cookies adds both beauty and a new layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
Complement these cookies with a frosty glass of cold milk, creamy hot cocoa, or a festive holiday tea. They’re fantastic alongside a platter of fresh fruit or presented with other colorful cookies for maximum visual (and edible) impact.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Festive Green Sugar Cookies in clear cellophane bags with red or gold ribbon for charming holiday gifts. Or stack them in a jar for a stunning cookie tower centerpiece! For parties, mix them in a platter with other vibrant cookies to create a rainbow effect that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your cookies are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for about 4 to 5 days—perfect for snacking any time you pass the kitchen!
Freezing
Festive Green Sugar Cookies freeze exceptionally well. Arrange cooled cookies in layers between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying or packing into cookie boxes.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies warm, just pop one or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This refreshes the texture and brings back a bit of that just-baked aroma—especially nice on cold days!
FAQs
Can I make Festive Green Sugar Cookies without food coloring?
Absolutely! The cookies will taste just as wonderful without food coloring. They’ll simply be classic sugar cookies—still soft, sweet, and delicious. If you want a natural green hue, try matcha powder for both taste and color.
What type Dessert
Gel food coloring is your best bet for bold, even color without thinning the dough. However, liquid food coloring works too—just add it slowly until you reach your desired shade of green.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough for Festive Green Sugar Cookies can be made a day in advance. Store it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before shaping and baking to make scooping easier.
Do I have to include almond extract?
No—the almond extract is purely optional. It brings a subtle nutty flavor, but if you prefer, simply leave it out for straightforward vanilla sugar cookies.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute your favorite gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Stick to blends meant for cup-for-cup replacement to achieve the best structure and texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a cookie that looks as good as it tastes, you can’t go wrong with Festive Green Sugar Cookies. They’re simple, they’re fun, and they bring a smile with every bright, sparkly bite. Set aside a little time to bake a batch—you might just find a new favorite tradition for holidays and celebrations alike!
Print
Festive Green Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Festive Green Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for holiday celebrations or themed parties. With a hint of almond flavor and a vibrant green color, these cookies are sure to brighten any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Green food coloring
- Green sanding sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and green food coloring.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Shape and decorate: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat with green sanding sugar or sprinkles.
- Bake: Place on baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Adjust the intensity of the green color based on your preference.
- These cookies freeze well after baking and are perfect for holiday cookie boxes or themed parties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
