Wonderland Cookies are one of my fav Christmas themed desserts to make this season. They start with a simple soft sugar cookie, then you add a smooth layer of white frosting that looks like a snowy base. After that, the fun really starts because each cookie becomes a little blank canvas. You can pipe a green Christmas tree with a yellow zigzag garland, create a yellow ornament with tiny green dotted stripes, or just play around with colors and shapes that make you smile. I love making these because everyone can decorate their own and the cookies always turn out charming in their own messy, whimsical way.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Servings: About 20 cookies
Calories: Around 150 per cookie

Why You Will Love This Wonderland Cookies

• They are the perfect holiday decorating cookie.
  When I make these, I always notice how relaxing it feels to sit down and just decorate without worrying about being perfect. You will love that each cookie becomes its own little winter scene, whether you create a tree, an ornament, or something totally playful.
• The white frosting makes the colors pop.
  My preference is a simple vanilla frosting because it gives that clean snowy look. You will see how the greens, yellows, reds, and blues stand out beautifully on the smooth white base.
• They are soft, simple, and customizable.
  I like that the cookies stay soft but sturdy enough to hold frosting. You will have fun choosing your own designs, sprinkles, or color combinations so every batch feels like a new creation.

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the frosting and decorating:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
• Food coloring in green, yellow, red, and any other colors you like
• Piping bags or squeeze bottles
• Optional sprinkles for added fun

How To Make Wonderland Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until it looks fluffy and pale. Add the egg and vanilla and mix again until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this dry mixture into the butter mixture and mix until it becomes a soft dough.
4. Roll the dough into one inch balls and gently flatten them on the baking sheet so they bake into perfect round cookies.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges are just barely turning golden. Let them cool completely before decorating.
6. Make the frosting by mixing powdered sugar, butter, and a little milk until smooth and spreadable. Add more milk if you want it thinner.
7. Spread a smooth layer of white frosting on each cookie so it becomes your snowy base.
8. Divide remaining frosting into small bowls and tint each one with whatever colors you want.
9. Pipe a green Christmas tree with a yellow zigzag garland, create a yellow ornament with green dotted stripes, or play around with fun winter designs.

Tips For The Best Wonderland Cookies

• Flatten the dough before baking.
  When I make these, I gently press the dough balls so they bake into even rounds. You will find this makes decorating easier because flat cookies give you more space to work on.
• Use thicker frosting for details.
  My preference is to keep the white frosting a little soft for spreading and the colored frosting slightly thicker for decorating. You will notice your lines and shapes hold much better this way.
• Experiment with designs.
  I like adding small dots, swirly lines, or tiny stars to fill empty spaces. You will have so much fun creating cookies that look completely unique, and honestly the imperfect ones always end up being my favorites.

Substitutions

• Use store bought sugar cookies if you want it easier.
  When I am short on time, I grab a pack of bakery sugar cookies and just decorate those. You will still get the same charming decorated look without the baking step.
• Swap the frosting for royal icing if you want a harder finish.
  I like soft frosting because it tastes creamy, but you will enjoy royal icing if you prefer designs that dry firm and glossy.
• Try different holiday themes.
  When I feel like switching it up, I make snowflakes, ornaments, tiny wrapped gifts, or abstract winter swirls. You will love that these cookies can match any holiday theme or color palette you want.

More Christmas Desserts

• Santa Hat Christmas Brownies
• Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
• Oreo Balls Covered in White Chocolate 
• Red Velvet Cake Pops
• 25 Christmas Desserts That Will Sweeten Your Holiday Season