Oh my gosh, can we talk about how much joy a holiday cookie decorating board brings? I swear, every December, my kitchen turns into Santa’s workshop—but way messier (and honestly, more fun). Some of my favorite memories are gathered around the table with cousins, laughing as we turn sugar cookies into questionable “masterpieces.” The best part? You don’t need to be a pastry chef to pull this off! Just grab some cookies, colorful icing, and all the sprinkles your heart desires. Whether it’s for kids, a party, or just a cozy night in, this setup guarantees smiles—and delicious results. Trust me, even the lopsided snowman cookies somehow taste better when you’ve decorated them yourself.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Cookie Decorating Board
Listen, I know holiday prep can feel overwhelming—but this? This is the *fun* part. Here’s why this cookie board will become your new favorite tradition:
- Zero stress, all joy: No fancy skills needed. Kids, grandparents, even your “I-can’t-draw-a-stick-figure” uncle can join in.
- Messy memories guaranteed: Flour on noses, glitter in hair—it’s where the real holiday magic happens.
- Customizable chaos: Swap colors for Hanukkah blue, Kwanzaa red, or go full-on peppermint explosion. Your rules!
- Secret hosting hack: Guests entertain *themselves* while you sip cocoa (and pretend you planned it that way).
Bonus? Even the “ugly” cookies taste amazing. Ask my niece’s polka-dotted reindeer—we still laugh about that one.
Ingredients for Your Holiday Cookie Decorating Board
Alright, let’s talk supplies! The beauty of this cookie board is how simple the ingredients are—but I’ll let you in on a few pro tips I’ve learned over the years (usually the messy way). You’ll need:
- 1 batch pre-baked sugar cookies – about 2 dozen, in fun holiday shapes. Pro tip: Bake them the night before so they’re totally cool and sturdy for decorating.
- 1 cup royal icing – divided into small bowls (I use 4-5 ramekins). This is your edible glue!
- Food coloring set – red, green, and whatever festive shades make you happy. Gel colors work best—they won’t thin your icing.
- 1/2 cup assorted sprinkles – the more shapes, the better! Stars, nonpareils, even those tiny edible balls that roll everywhere (embrace the chaos).
- 1/4 cup edible glitter – because holidays demand sparkle. The finer the better—it sticks to icing like magic.
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips – for eyes, buttons, or just reckless chocolate showers. No judgment here.
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes – gives cookies that festive crunch and peppermint zing.
- Small candies – M&Ms, gumdrops, or even cereal for quirky textures. Raid your pantry!
See? Mostly pantry staples with a side of whimsy. Now let’s turn this into the most delicious art project ever…
How to Assemble Your Holiday Cookie Decorating Board
Okay, let’s get this party started! Assembling your cookie decorating board is half the fun—and I’ve got some tried-and-true tricks to make it effortless (or at least Instagram-worthy between the sprinkles explosions). Here’s how we do it in my kitchen:
Preparing the Cookies and Icing
First, grab those pre-baked sugar cookies—shapes like stars, trees, and snowflakes work best because they’re basically edible canvases. If you’re feeling fancy, use small cookie cutters for bite-sized cuties! Now, divide your royal icing into small bowls (I use about ¼ cup per color). Add gel food coloring drop by drop—trust me, that stuff is potent. Want piping bags? Spoon icing into ziplock bags, snip a tiny corner, and boom—instant pastry chef vibes. Pro tip: Keep one bowl of white icing aside for “glue” when attaching candies!
Setting Up Decorating Stations
Here’s where the magic happens. Cover your table with parchment paper (future you will thank me). Arrange everything like a buffet: icing bowls in the center, sprinkles and toppings in small dishes around them, with tools (butter knives, spoons, toothpicks) within easy reach. Need a pro setup? Use a tiered stand for height—it keeps the chocolate chips from becoming a free-for-all. Bonus points for mini labels like “Santa’s Sparkle Zone” for the glitter jar.
Decorating and Drying Tips
Encourage guests to go wild, but remind them: icing first, then toppings—it’s like edible velcro! Let cookies dry completely (about 1-2 hours) before stacking or gifting. For delicate designs, I slide a baking sheet underneath the parchment and tuck it in an undisturbed corner. And hey, if someone’s masterpiece smudges? Call it “abstract winter art” and eat it immediately. Problem solved.
Holiday Cookie Decorating Board Variations
Who says you have to stick to tradition? One of my favorite things about this cookie board is how easily it adapts to any theme or dietary need. For Hanukkah, swap in blue and white icing with star-shaped cookies. Need gluten-free? Use your favorite GF sugar cookie recipe—they decorate just as beautifully! Vegan friends? Coconut milk works wonders in royal icing. And for a winter wonderland twist, try all-white decorations with silver glitter. The possibilities are endless—just like the mess!
Serving and Storing Your Holiday Cookie Decorating Board
Now for the best part—showing off your edible masterpieces! I love using a wooden board or cake stand for serving—it makes everything look extra special. If you went wild with decorations (no shame!), try tiered stands to fit more cookies without squishing those delicate designs. As for storage? Pop them in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days… if they last that long!
Holiday Cookie Decorating Board FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers—plus a few messy lessons learned the hard way! Here’s what people ask me most about our family’s cookie decorating tradition:
Can I use store-bought cookies to save time?
Absolutely! Premade sugar cookies work great (we won’t tell). Just make sure they’re completely cool before decorating—warm cookies turn icing into a melty mess. Pro tip: Look for thicker, sturdier cookies that can handle heavy sprinkle applications!
How long does the icing take to dry?
Royal icing typically sets in 1-2 hours, but intricate designs or thick layers might need 4+ hours. If you’re in a rush, a fan on low speed can help speed things up—just watch out for airborne sprinkles! For more information on icing consistency, check out this guide on royal icing consistency.
Can I make this nut-free for allergies?
Easy fix! Skip the nuts and use seeds, cereal, or extra chocolate chips instead. Always label bowls if you’re mixing allergy-friendly and regular toppings.
Help—my icing is too runny/thick!
No panic! For runny icing, add powdered sugar by the tablespoon. Too thick? A few drops of water or lemon juice will thin it. Test on one cookie first—you’ll get the hang of it fast.
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real—we’re not exactly counting calories when we’re elbow-deep in sprinkles and icing! But since you asked, here’s the general scoop: each undecorated sugar cookie runs about 120 calories. Now toss on some icing and toppings? Well… let’s just say Santa doesn’t check his list twice for a reason!
Important note: These numbers can vary wildly depending on your cookie recipe, icing thickness, and whether you went “light sprinkles” or “full blizzard mode.” The values below are estimates per plain cookie—consider decorations bonus holiday cheer!
Store-bought cookies may differ, and homemade versions can be adjusted (try swapping half the sugar for applesauce if you’re feeling virtuous). But honestly? This is once-a-year magic—enjoy every glittery bite!
I *live* for seeing your cookie decorating adventures! Snap a photo of your masterpiece (or hilarious sprinkle fails—we’ve all been there) and tag me @TheMessyCookieQueen. Nothing makes me happier than seeing families creating memories just like ours does every year. Now go forth and decorate—I can’t wait to cheer you on!
PrintDelightful Holiday Cookie Decorating Board for 25 Festive Sweets
Create a festive holiday cookie decorating board for fun and creativity.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake Decorating
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 batch of sugar cookies (pre-baked)
- 1 cup royal icing (divided into small bowls)
- Assorted food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
- 1/2 cup sprinkles (variety of shapes and colors)
- 1/4 cup edible glitter
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes
- Small candies (M&Ms, gumdrops, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare sugar cookies in holiday shapes (stars, trees, snowflakes).
- Divide royal icing into small bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Set up decorating stations with icing, sprinkles, and toppings.
- Provide small knives or piping bags for spreading icing.
- Let guests decorate cookies as desired.
- Allow icing to dry before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Keep icing covered to prevent drying.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
