Snowflake Sugar Cookies with Printable Gift Tags
These snowflake sugar cookies are absolutely gorgeous and super fun to create! Learn how to use this watercolor technique on your next batch of sugar cookies.
These classic sugar cookies are easy to make and bring to your next winter themed party or event! I’m a huge fan of creating treats for every occasion, especially delicious ones like these.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this easy recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be waiting there when you’re ready.
Sugar cookie dough is super versatile and simple to make with only a few ingredients from the grocery store. You will need basic ingredients like butter, granulated sugar and all purpose flour.
Be sure to set aside enough time to decorate the cookies, you may even want to spread it out over a few days. When adding watercolor details it’s important to wait until the layer of flooded icing is completely dry otherwise the icing may crack and the colors will bleed into the cookie.
Before you get started make sure that you have everything that you need to make and decorate these cookies. I found our cookie cutters and icing bottles at Michaels but you can also order them from Amazon below.
This post contains affiliate links.
Sugar cookie supplies:
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie cutters
- Icing bottles
- Wire cooling rack
- Cookie scribe or toothpick
- Blue and yellow gel food coloring
- Food grade paintbrush
- Vodka or other quick drying pure alcohol
This is my grandma’s classic sugar cookie recipe – time tested and delicious. The only thing that I have changed over the years is swapped out shortening for butter.
Snowflake Sugar Cookie Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 4 Tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Tip: Pre-made Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough can be used to create these cookies as well. Simply add 1/4 cup of flour to the dough, combine well and roll as directed. I love quick mom hacks like this!
Directions:
1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine dry ingredients. Add butter, egg, milk and extract. Mix on medium speed until a soft dough forms.
3. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This helps to prevent the dough from spreading when baked.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Dust your surface with flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/4″ thickness on the floured surface.
6. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake until the cookies are lightly brown around the edges, about 7 minutes.
8. Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool.
This recipe will make about 80 1.5″ circle shaped cookies.
Use my Easy Royal Icing Recipe to make the best icing for these cookies! You will only need to create white icing as the watercolor is added directly on top of the cookies.
I prefer to use icing bottles over a piping bag because I find the bottles easier to handle.
Royal icing tips:
- If the icing is too hard, add more water one drop at a time.
- If the icing is too soft, add more powdered sugar one teaspoon at a time.
- Icing can be stored at room temperature in a an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- To use, mix the royal icing with a hand mixer so that it becomes smooth and shiny again.
- Flood consistency is reached when a spoonful dropped onto a flat surface takes 10 – 15 seconds to become completely smooth.
These instructions will show you how to decorate snowflake cookies like these ones. The sky is the limit though, have fun with this process!
You can decorate each cookie with all sorts of patterns and designs – this watercolor technique is super versatile and fun to experiment with.
How to decorate snowflake sugar cookies:
Additional supplies: food safe paintbrush and a shot of Vodka.
1. Ice the cookies with white icing. Allow the cookies to completely dry before moving on to the next step. Two hours is usually the minimum time required for drying.
2. Place a drop of blue and yellow food coloring onto a bowl or plate.
3. Use the paintbrush and a drop of alcohol to mix the food coloring together to get your desired shade. The vodka is quick drying and allows the color to blend while not making the icing run or melt.
4. Paint each cookie using the paintbrush, vodka and food coloring. Swirl and mix the colors to create a watercolor effect.
5. Allow the food coloring to completely dry.
6. Use the white icing to pipe snowflake patterns onto the cookies. I like to use a #2 tip for this.
These watercolor snowflake cookies turned out to be absolutely beautiful! These are fairly easy to create and use a technique that can easily be used for other cookie shapes and designs.
I have used a very similar technique in the past with this Fall Cake Tutorial, I love the look of watercolors on delicious desserts!
Allow the icing to completely harden for at least four hours before packaging or storing the cookies. These look amazing wrapped in cellophane and packaged up with a bit of twine.
Add my free printable gift tag and voila! These easy watercolor snowflake sugar cookies make a delicious treat!
Be sure to check out all of the fun sugar cookie ideas on the blog!
This post contains affiliate links.
Some of my baking essentials:
- I love using this non-stick bakeware for all of my baking.
- These silicone mitts are perfect for grasping hot pans and baking dishes.
- This Henckel Knife is my favorite for slicing and dicing in the kitchen.
- These parchment paper bags are perfect for packaging and these large Rubbermaid food storage containers are great for storing baking in the freezer.
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Be sure to check out these other fun ideas from my blogging friends!
- Beth with Creatively Beth is sharing 12 Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags that you can download, print, and color! The perfect activity to complete with the kids.
- Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? We can’t believe how stinking cute this Mini Snowman Pinata is from Lindsay at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
- Laura from Me and My INKlings has created an adorable and Reusable DIY Stenciled Gift Bag and is sharing the free printable file, too!
- Download and print the cutest set of Christmas Sticker Tags hand drawn by Liz of Liz on Call. Since they are stickers, they won’t fall off the presents!
- Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas is easy with Free Printable Gift Tags created by Blanca of Creativities Galore!
- Michelle of Michelle’s Party Plan-It is sharing a fun and festive set of Snowmen Money Holders that she created with her Cricut.
- Personalize your Holiday Gift Bags with this fun tutorial from Candice of She’s Crafty. A fun activity to make with the kiddos on a cold afternoon!
- Jane from DIY by Jane is teaching everyone how to make elegant Embroidered Holiday Gift Tags that are also quick and easy!
- We love gifts that work double duty. This Handmade Woodland Gift Wrap with Gift-able Ornament is a brilliant idea shared by Beth of the Ruffled Daisy.
- Diana from the Girl Creative is sharing simple and sophisticated Rustic Farmhouse Printable Christmas Gift Tags that timeless and budget friendly.
- If you need a super easy trick for Packaging and Presenting Homemade Jewelry Gifts. Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings has you covered with a simple tutorial.
Watercolor Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 4 Tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- 1. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- 2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine dry ingredients. Add butter, egg, milk and extract. Mix on medium speed until a soft dough forms.
- 3. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This helps to prevent the dough from spreading when baked.
- 4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- 5. Dust your surface with flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/4" thickness on the floured surface.
- 6. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- 7. Bake until the cookies are lightly brown around the edges, about 7 minutes.
- 8. Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool before decorating with royal icing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Those look really yummy! What is sweet milk?? I see that you used regular milk, but I am curious what sweet milk is. :-)