These Iced Sugar Cookies are soft, tender and taste just like your favorite bakery style cookie with a sweet and creamy frosting. Perfect any time you’re craving a soft healthy sugar cookie and a favorite for holiday cookie trays!
Updated December 2023
Festive Delight: Iced Sugar Cookies for Every Occasion
Are you ready to elevate your holiday baking game? These Iced Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat to sweeten any celebration. Whether it’s Christmas, a birthday, or just a regular day when you crave something delightful, these soft frosted cookies are sure to impress. The combination of almond flour, vegan butter, and a touch of maple sweetness creates a heavenly flavor that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Eggs: These bind the ingredients together, providing structure to our cookies.
- Vegan Butter: For a dairy-free option, choose a plant-based butter like ghee or vegan alternatives.
- Granulated Maple Sugar: Adds a natural sweetness that complements the almond flour perfectly.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile, making your cookies irresistibly delicious.
- Pure Almond Extract (optional): Elevates the sugar-cookie flavor for an extra delightful touch.
- Fine Blanched Almond Flour: The star ingredient that gives the cookies a moist and tender texture. You can try using tiger nut flour or gluten-free finely ground oat flour for a nut-free alternative.
- Tapioca Flour: This grain-free alternative contributes to the perfect cookie consistency.
- Coconut Flour: Adds softness and structure. Use more tapioca flour if you need a coconut-free alternative.
- Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and achieve the ideal thickness.
- Fine Grain Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness, enhancing the overall taste.
- Festive Sprinkles: Because every sugar cookie deserves a touch of whimsy! Opt for natural dye-free, sugar-free brands such as Supernatural Kitchen, Color Kitchen Foods, Gooddees, Keto Candy Girl.
For the Frosting:
- Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: We recommend brands like Kite Hill or Miyokos for a plant-based option.
- Vegan Butter: Choose refined coconut oil or regular butter for a creamy, luscious frosting.
- Pure Maple Syrup: A sticky liquid sweetener that adds sweetness and a hint of maple flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: The finishing touch to round out the flavor of your delectable frosting.
Instructions: How to make Iced Sugar Cookies
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together room temperature eggs, melted vegan butter, granulated maple sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Optional: Add pure almond extract for an extra sugar-cookie flavor kick.
- Sift and Stir Dry Ingredients: Place a fine mesh sieve over the bowl and sift in fine blanched almond flour, tapioca flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and fine grain sea salt. Stir until well combined.
- Chill the Dough: Place the dough in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. This step helps in achieving the perfect cookie consistency during baking.
- Shape and Arrange: Form the chilled dough into 1 ½-inch to 2-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a 2-inch space between each ball.
- Bake to Perfection: Lightly press down on each dough ball and bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should have set edges and a lightly browned bottom. They will continue to cook as they cool.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cookies cool, beat together softened dairy-free cream cheese, softened vegan butter, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust sweetness with more maple syrup if needed.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the cookies are completely cool, use an offset spatula to evenly spread the frosting on each cookie. Top with festive sprinkles for that extra touch of joy.
Tips for Success:
- Room Temperature Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for optimal mixing and a smoother batter.
- Chill the Dough: Letting the dough rest in the fridge for 10-15 minutes helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Evenly Sized Cookies: Form the dough into uniform balls to ensure even baking.
- Precision in Sifting: Ensure the flours are sifted evenly to avoid clumps in the dough, leading to a smoother texture.
- Evenly Spaced Cookies: Maintain a 2-inch gap between cookies on the baking sheet to allow for even spreading and uniform baking.
- Temperature Matters: Let the cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and ensure a perfect finish.
- Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to almond flour and vegan butter, for the best flavor and texture.
Variations:
- Citrus Zest Zing: Add a burst of freshness by incorporating lemon or orange zest into the dough for a citrusy twist.
- Nutty Indulgence: Enhance the texture with a handful of chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
- Choco-Chip Bliss: Mix in your favorite chocolate chips for a delightful chocolatey surprise in every bite.
- Spice it Up: Introduce warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a comforting, seasonal flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
- Tea Time Elegance: Pair these cookies with your favorite tea, coffee, or festive drink like our Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread Latte for a sophisticated afternoon treat.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Create irresistible ice cream sandwiches by sandwiching a scoop of some vegan vanilla ice cream between two cookies.
- Holiday Platter Centerpiece: Arrange these cookies on a festive platter or in Christmas Cookie Boxes for a beautiful centerpiece at holiday gatherings.
- Dip in Chocolate: Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate for an extra layer of indulgence.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigeration: Store your Iced Sugar Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze the unfrosted cookies: Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container or freezer in the freezer for up to three months.
- Freezing the Dough: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Frosted Cookies: Freeze frosted cookies in a single layer, separated by parchment paper, to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating for Freshness: If cookies lose their freshness, pop them in a preheated oven for a few minutes to revive that just-baked taste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1: Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter in this recipe? A1: Absolutely! Feel free to use regular butter if you’re not following a dairy-free diet. Adjust according to your taste preferences.
Q2: How long do the cookies need to cool before frosting? A3: It’s crucial to allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting. This ensures that the frosting sets perfectly, giving you that delightful combination of soft and creamy textures.
Q3: What’s the secret to the perfect cookie texture? A10: Sifting the flours evenly and allowing the dough to chill in the fridge are crucial steps. This ensures a soft and tender texture in the finished cookies.
Q4: Can I freeze the frosted cookies? A4: While it’s best to freeze unfrosted cookies for optimal texture, you can freeze frosted cookies by placing them in a single layer with parchment paper between each cookie to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Q5: How can I add a personal touch to these cookies? A5: Get creative with variations! Add citrus zest, nuts, chocolate chips, or spices to customize the flavor. Experiment and find your perfect combination.
Q6: How do I ensure evenly sized cookies? A6: Form the chilled dough into uniform balls to ensure even baking. This helps maintain consistent texture and appearance across all your cookies.
Q7: Can I make these cookies ahead of time? A7: Absolutely! These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cookies and frost them when ready to enjoy.
Q8: Can I reheat cookies if they lose their freshness? A8: Yes, you can refresh cookies by placing them in a preheated oven for a few minutes. This helps restore that just-baked taste and texture.
Q9: Can I use different sweeteners in the recipe? A9: Yes, feel free to experiment with different sweeteners based on your preferences. You can use your preferred granulated sugar or sweetener in place of granulated maple sugar.
More gluten-free Christmas cookie recipes you will love:
These Iced Sugar Cookies are soft, tender and taste just like your favorite bakery style cookie with a sweet and creamy frosting. Perfect any time you're craving a soft healthy sugar cookie and a favorite for holiday cookie trays!
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup vegan butter , melted (ghee or unsalted butter work if not dairy-free)
- ¾ cup granulated maple sugar , or preferred granulated sugar / sweetener
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract , optional but adds that sugar-cookie flavor
- 2 cups fine blanched almond flour , you can also sub with tiger nut flour or gluten-free finely ground oat flour
- 2 tablespoons tapioca flour / starch or arrowroot flour (starch)
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour , you can also sub with 3 tablespoons of tapioca starch instead
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- Festive green white and red sprinkles or nonpareils. , opt for natural dye-free, sugar-free brands such as Supernatural Kitchen, Color Kitchen Foods, Gooddees, Keto Candy Girl if desired.
- 8 oz softened dairy-free cream cheese or regular cream cheese if not dairy-free we like Kite Hill or Miyokos
- 3 tbsp softened vegan butter , refined coconut oil or unsalted butter if not dairy-free
- 3-4 tbsp pure maple syrup or preferred sticky liquid sweetener
- 2/3 tsp vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs with melted butter, sugar and vanilla.
- Add a large fine mesh sieve over the bowl and sift in the flours and baking soda (or sift beforehand in another large bowl and stir in). Stir in the salt.
- Chill the dough in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- Form dough into 1 ½-inch - 2 inch balls. Place each ball on the baking sheet, leaving a 2-inch space between each dough ball.
- Lightly press down on each dough ball. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies will still be soft, but the edges are set and the bottom of the cookie will just be starting to brown. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Meanwhile, beat together all the frosting ingredients. Taste and add more maple syrup as needed for easier spreading.
- Once the cookies are cool, use an offset spatula to spread evenly onto each cooled cookie. Top with festive sprinkles and enjoy.
How to store:
- Refrigeration: Store your Iced Sugar Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze the unfrosted cookies: Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container or freezer in the freezer for up to three months.
- Freezing the Dough: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Frosted Cookies: Freeze frosted cookies in a single layer, separated by parchment paper, to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating for Freshness: If cookies lose their freshness, pop them in a preheated oven for a few minutes to revive that just-baked taste.
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