Home for the Holidays: Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookies with Karen Erickson

Baking, decorating, family…all the things that fill the holidays with joy. Join our Entangled authors as they share a little something special from their home during the holidays.

Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookies with Karen Erickson

Ever since I can remember, I’ve made frosted sugar cookies during the holidays. When I was a little girl, it was me and my grandma who made them together. My grandma’s sugar cookies were absolutely delicious, but the best part was frosting them. We’d cut out different shapes like snowmen, trees, stars and bells (though as she grew older and was the only one making cookies, she reduced that shape to just Christmas trees) and we’d make frosting in a variety of colors. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories.

I’ve kept the tradition going with my children. At one point, we would do frosted sugar cookies during Halloween and even Easter, but I eventually gave that up (let’s be real, it was too much work). I can’t give up Christmas cookies though, not that my kids would let me. Well, one kid is grown and out of the house. The youngest child would prefer just to eat them. But me and my daughter (and sometimes her friends) make them every year. I’m thinking this year we’re going to invite her boyfriend over and he can help us. May as well introduce him to the tradition too, right?

I have one confession though—I don’t make my cookie dough from scratch. I know, I know! I’m a cheater! But those bagged powdered cookie doughs from Betty Crocker work just fine and they taste great! I do make my own frosting though. I use the recipe from the back of the C&H Powdered Sugar box, though I include my grandma’s secret ingredient in the frosting.

What’s the secret ingredient, you ask? I can’t reveal it because then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

Yes, I’m evil.

But here’s the C&H Powdered Sugar recipe for you!

To a full one pound box of C&N Confectioners Sugar, add:

½ cup (one stick) softened butter

¼ cup of milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix to desired consistency. Divide into bowls and add food coloring (we always do red, green, yellow – for stars! – and blue).