Vibrant, festive, and practically begging to be the centerpiece of your holiday treat platter, Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies are the ultimate way to celebrate the season. Charming green leaves with pops of red berries bring instant cheer — all wrapped up in a tender, buttery cookie with just a hint of almond and vanilla. These cookies are as fun to decorate as they are delicious to eat, so gather your cookie cutters and get ready for a joyful baking session that will have friends and family reaching for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies is wonderfully simple, yet every ingredient plays a crucial role in nailing that dreamy sugar-cookie texture and iconic flavor. Browse your pantry, gather your supplies, and let’s talk through what makes each piece a star in the lineup.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookie, ensuring just the right amount of structure and chew.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift so they’re light and slightly airy instead of dense.
- Baking powder: Adds an extra touch of leavening for that irresistibly tender bite.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Delivers that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and signature sugar cookie flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve a classic, crisp-on-the-edges finish.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds a lovely bit of richness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor, setting off the butter and sugar in the best way.
- Almond extract (optional): A whisper of almond makes these cookies extra special and nostalgic for holiday lovers.
- Milk: Adds just enough moisture so your dough is smooth and easy to shape.
- Green and red gel food coloring: The secret to those dazzling holly leaves and bright, berry accents.
- Holly leaf cookie cutters: Essential for that perfectly festive holiday shape.
- Small red candy balls or red icing: For the cute “berries” that bring every holly leaf to life!
How to Make Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Gather and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step guarantees your Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies will bake up golden without sticking, and cleanup will be a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. A good whisk ensures the leaveners are perfectly distributed, so every single cookie rises and bakes evenly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a larger bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is what creates that blissful, delicate cookie crumb—don’t skimp on the beating time! Your butter should look pale and airy.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it). Every drop boosts the cookies’ rich flavor, making them memorable and a little bit addictive.
Step 5: Combine and Finish the Dough
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with a bit of milk at a time. This keeps the dough soft but not sticky, perfectly prepped for rolling and cutting. If the dough seems a little loose, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes before proceeding.
Step 6: Tint and Shape
Divide the dough into two portions. Tint one half with green gel food coloring until you reach that merry, leafy hue. Roll the green dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness, then use holly leaf cookie cutters to stamp out those iconic shapes.
Step 7: Bake
Arrange the cookies on your prepared baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges barely begin to get golden. Keep an eye on them—overbaking can zap their tenderness! Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Step 8: Decorate
Once cool, add tiny red candy balls or a dab of red icing to each leaf for your berries. You can even brush a little edible glitter on top if you’re feeling extra festive. Your Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies are now ready to steal the spotlight!
How to Serve Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A dusting of edible glitter or a drizzle of white royal icing can make your cookies look like they’ve just had a fresh snowfall. For extra holiday sparkle, try pressing a few nonpareils or sugar crystals onto the leaves before baking.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with mugs of hot chocolate, mulled cider, or even spiced tea. Add a bowl of fresh berries or whipped cream on the side to complement the delicate sweetness of your Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Arranging the cookies on a decorative platter in a wreath or tree pattern really spotlights their festive flair. You can also package them in pretty tins or cellophane bags with ribbons for adorable holiday gifts that never fail to delight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to a week—though they rarely last that long in a cookie-loving household!
Freezing
If you want to get a jump on holiday prep, these cookies freeze fantastically. Place the baked (and cooled) cookies in a single layer between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature whenever you need some instant holiday cheer!
Reheating
Though these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, you can gently warm them in a low (250°F) oven for a few minutes to revive that just-baked aroma and bring the flavors to life.
FAQs
Can I use other shapes if I don’t have holly leaf cutters?
Absolutely! While holly leaves are iconic, you can use any festive cookie cutters you have on hand—think trees, stars, or snowflakes. Simply decorate them with green and red accents to keep the holiday theme alive.
Is there a substitute for almond extract?
If you’re not a fan of almond flavor or are working around allergies, feel free to omit the almond extract or swap it for a little extra vanilla. The cookies will still have plenty of classic sugar cookie charm.
Do I have to chill the dough before rolling?
Chilling isn’t mandatory, but if your dough feels too soft or sticky, half an hour in the fridge will make rolling and cutting so much easier—plus, it can help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
Can I make Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies with gluten-free flour?
You can! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. Check consistency and add a splash more milk if the dough seems dry. Watch for slight changes in texture, but the festive spirit is entirely gluten free.
How do I get really vibrant green leaves?
Gel food coloring is the secret to vivid, beautiful holly leaves. Start with a few drops and knead until the color’s even, adding more gel for deeper color without changing the dough’s texture.
Final Thoughts
Nothing says ‘holiday magic’ quite like a batch of Holly and Berry Sugar Cookies cooling on the counter—ready to share with family, friends or maybe (just maybe) to treat yourself. They’re simple, festive, and practically guaranteed to make everyone smile. Pour a mug of cocoa, turn up your favorite holiday tunes, and enjoy every sweet, colorful bite!
