The best sugar cookies decorated to look like Santa! Easy to make and assemble for adults and kids alike! The perfect Christmas cookies!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links, I get a small percentage back at no cost to you! For more information see my disclosure policy.
These adorable Santa Claus Cookies are a Christmas tradition in my family. My oldest son and I started making them for his preschool Christmas program a few years ago.
Now it is requested every year by my kids and neighbors! They are so easy to decorate, they can easily be decorated by kids. Such a fun Christmas activity!
To make Easy Santa Claus Sugar Cookies, you’ll first need to start with the Best Sugar Cookie Recipe. I have used this recipe for years and it has never failed me.
After preparing the cookie dough, roll it out, and use a round cookie cutter or small cup to cut out the round shape. Prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting. Color about half of it red. Keep the other half white.
*Make this process even easier and faster, use store-bought refrigerated cookie dough and pre-made frosting.
Easy Santa Sugar Cookies Ingredients
Sugar Cookies
Buttercream Frosting
- Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla
- Milk
- Red Food Coloring
Cookie Assembly
- Red and Green M&M’s or similar candy
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Stand Mixer
- Measuring Cups/Spoons
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie Cutter
- Small Angled Icing Spatula
- Disposable Piping Bags
- Star Tip
How to Decorate
[1] Use a butter knife or small spatula to spread red frosting on the top 1/3 of the cookie.

[2] Fill a piping bag with white frosting and a medium sized star tip. Trace a white line just below the bottom of the red frosting using the piping bag.

[3] Pipe a large star on the right side of the cookie, just above the white line (the tip of Santa’s hat).

[4] Use the star tip to pipe two dots for Santa’s eyes and two curves for his mustache.

[5] Place two green M&M’s on the white frosting dots for Santa’s eyes.

[6] Put a red M&M just above the mustache for his nose.

Just like that you have a cute little Santa Claus Sugar Cookie! I promise these are so cute and easy to make. You and your kids will love them! Make sure you pin this recipe so you’ll be able to make these super fun cookies. Merry Christmas!
More Christmas Cookie Recipes:

Easy Santa Claus Sugar Cookies
Perfect sugar cookies decorated to look like Santa! Easy to make and assemble for adults and kids alike! The perfect Christmas cookies!
Ingredients
The BEST Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe
- 1 1/2 Cups Butter, softened
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 4 Eggs
- 5 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 Cup Butter, softened
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 1/2-4 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons Milk
- Red Food Coloring
- Piping Bag
- Star Tip
- Red & Green M&M's
Instructions
The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the dough on a floured surface 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Cut into circles with cookie cutters or a small cup. Place cookies 1 inch apart on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before decorating.
Buttercream Frosting
- Beat the butter in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat again. Gradually add the powdered sugar a little at a time. Add the milk a little at a time if its too thick.
Santa Cookie Assembly
- Use a butter knife or small spatula to spread red frosting on the top 1/3 of the cookie.
- Fill a piping bag with white frosting and a medium sized star tip. Pipe a white line just below the bottom of the red frosting.
- Pipe a large star on the right side of the cookie, just above the white line (the tip of Santa's hat)
- Pipe two dots for Santa's eyes and two curves for his mustache.
- Place two green M&M's on the white frosting dots for Santa's eyes.
- Put a red M&M just above the mustache for his nose.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 602Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 297mgCarbohydrates: 102gFiber: 1gSugar: 81gProtein: 4g
Edwina
Saturday 8th of December 2018
These cookies are so cute. I'm going to make them with my kids this week. Thanks for the inspiration. Such a great idea.