It always begins at the end of November – our Instagram feeds are flooded with a stream of images and reels of Christmas cookies and Christmas cookie decorating ideas. We’ve curated a list of some of our favourite Christmas cookie decorating ideas, and the talented bakers who’ve created them. Many of these creators also offer cookie decorating classes, video tutorials, custom cookie cutters and so much more.
Suitably inspired? Here’s the best sugar cookie recipe, and no-fail Christmas cookie decorating tips.
1. @sweetams
Amber Spiegel, of @sweetams, is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and is passionate about decorating cookies and cakes. Spiegel says she loves how “decorating combines her artistic skills with her love of baking.” Her new book, Cookie Canvas is an excellent resource for many of her cookie decorating ideas.
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2. @thesweetestmix
Cookie decorator Sonya Kim of @thesweetestmix sells her fun Snow Globes sugar cookies (and her other beautifully-decorated Christmas cookies) online – but snap them up before they sell out!
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3. @sweetopia_
Who would have ever thought that a pretty pastel colour palette would work for Christmas cookies? Marian Poirier of @sweetopia_ certainly did, and she wasn’t wrong. The light, pretty-coloured icing give her cookies a nostalgic appeal, while still making them holiday perfect. Her aesthetic is cookie decorating at its whimsical best!
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4. @bakedideas
Speaking of colour palettes, Patti Paige of @bakedideas decorates cookies realistically (think of a slice of cheese pizza or a fried egg on a piece of toast) in accurate colours, while her Christmas cookies have their own holiday aesthetic based on the flavour of cookie.
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5. @janaleesbakeshop
For Christmas cookie decorating inspiration, head over to @janaleesbakeshop now-defunct Instagram account. The quirky messages she wrote on her Christmas cookies were just right. Having a “resting Grinch face” is definitely something we can all relate to during the holidays.
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6. @sweetsugarbelle
@sweetsugarbelle‘s cartoonish Christmas cookies have childlike appeal. Bright-coloured icing, simple shapes and a fun colour palette make her decorating style totally approachable.
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7. @inspiredtotaste
Prepare to be in awe of Liz Joy of @inspiredtotastes‘s realistic cookie decorating. Her painterly approach to cookie decorating is true art, and she’s created content for brands like Sephora and Christian Louboutin. Feeling adventurous? Follow her decorating tutorials on YouTube.
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8. @theflourboxshop
Who wouldn’t love @theflourboxshop‘s colourful cookie characters inspired by the iconic Nutcracker ballet. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can purchase the cookie cutter set for Sugar Plum, Clara, Mouse King and Nutcracker directly from The Flour Box, and a Christmas decorating guide for instructions on how to make them.
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9. @lucie.bakes
Vancouver-based Lucie Radcliffe, who is a self-described graphic designer-turned-sugar artist, offers virtual cookie decorating tutorials, free videos (interested in making lifelike cookie portraits?) and sells her perfected cookie recipes online.
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10. @wildflour_cookieco
Emilee Galica, of @wildflour_cookieco, makes thematic seasonal cookies that are always on point. We love her holiday-esque cookie content and colour schemes. Her free, downloadable, piping practice guide helps beginner cookie decorators learn to make straight lines, circles and other shapes. The guide will also help decorators learn how to pipe hand lettering.
