Most children I know really love to decorate cookies! In fact, last year I realized that my nieces and nephews would probably rather decorate their own cookies, then receive a cookie I decorated for them. But of course the Christmas season can be a very busy one, and often baking cookies, making icing, and gathering all the supplies needed is just one extra chore. Last year I thought I could give a special gift to the kids in our family by creating ready to go cookie decorating kits. I spent a day making cookies and icing, and then packaged all of the supplies together, so that the cookies could be decorated as a special (and easy for the moms) Christmas activity. I think this could be a great gift to the families in your life with young children. When I made these kits up, I made one for our household too, and it was great to pull it out on Christmas Day (a day my husband usually works), and do a fun activity with my girls.
~ How to make a Cookie Decorating Kit ~
1. Prepare a batch of Sugar Cookie dough, cut out assorted Christmas shapes, and bake.
2. Once the cookies are baked and fully cool, layer then in a tupperware type container, with waxed paper between layers. Plan 3-5 cookies per child in the home.
3. Prepare butter frosting (Recipe below), and color as desired. I would suggest 3-5 colors total. Put icing into small plastic containers.
4. Add some sprinkles to the gift as well. I put sprinkles into little plastic dip containers (I picked up a few extra from a restaurant), or use small plastic baggies. You could certainly buy a few containers of sprinkles to include instead (I just happen to have more than enough sprinkles to share!). Include several different colors and types of sprinkles.
5. Package everything together. Include several plastic knifes for spreading the icing. I used a little tape to keep the smaller containers from moving around. You could wrap the whole kit in cellophane, or put everything in a pretty basket.
6. Give to a family you love!
*Note, the baked cookies will remain fresh 7-10 days. I would recommend storing the icing in the refrigerator, then bringing to room temperature before use.
Easy Butter Frosting Recipe
4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter (salted or unsalted), melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-4 Tablespoons milk
Directions ~
Pour powdered sugar into a large bowl. Melt butter, then add to powdered sugar, and whisk to combine. Add vanilla. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time, then stir, until desired consistency is reached. If you add too much milk, and your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Add coloring as desired.
(Recipe source- My mom. Original source unknown, similar recipes widely available since the early 1900’s)
Enjoy some cookie decorating with the little people in your life! If you’re lucky, you may end up with some creations as beautiful as these (created by my 3 and 6 year old)…
Maria says
Such a fun activity for kids during the holidays!
Aimee B. says
This is such a sweet idea! I think it would be great for someone who loves to bake, but maybe has trouble doing it due to arthritis or something.
SweetSugarBelle says
this is funny, but I can pick out the cookies Grace decorated, LOL! LOVE this idea!!!
cookies and cups says
That icing sounds yumm! I am a little obsessive about my decorated cookies, so this is the perfect alternative for my kiddos!
Stephane in Alaska says
I recognized your cookies in the preview! : )
Cookbook Queen says
I've looked all morning and I don't think I get Hallmark…dang cable!! 🙁 Hopefully someone will post a link so I can see you and Callye in all your Cookie Queen glory!!
And I looove this idea for a gift. My son has so much fun cookie decorating!
jo-lyn says
What a great idea, I may have to steal this for our small family Christmas, if you don't mind! 😉 Thank You!!
~ko says
Such a clever idea! We have some family friends that would love this! Cant wait to get started on our own kits!
Haniela says
These have precious charm about them.
My first ever sugar cookies were decorated with this kind of frosting and kids love it!
Merry Christmas Glory~
Joy Adams says
Very Fun. This could be a fun gift for BIG kids too. I would love to just sit down and decorate some cookies without all of the prep work. Looks like so much fun. (Excited to be the first to comment.)