Super-cute decorated holiday cookies: How to make bite-size Christmas cookies in a jar. Great handmade gift idea for the holiday season!
Christmas cookies in a jar
I’m keeping things simple this year and going with my standard for Christmas gifts: bite-size Christmas cookies in jars. Mason jars are just so perfect for packaging. I made all of mine in advance and put them in the freezer. You can dress them up with tags, felt, ribbon, whatever, and even attach gift cards, as I’m doing with the teacher gifts. I added some printable tags and all done. For the Christmas cookies, I chose Santa, candy canes, snowflakes, snowmen, and snowballs.
how to decorate Christmas cookies
I just made my go-to sugar cookie recipe and royal icing. All the cookies are cut out on 1 1/2-inch circles except for the mini candy canes. I tinted the icing my colors with Americolor Soft Gel Pastes. I prepared decorating bags with couplers and size “2,” “3,” or “4” tips. Find bags, couplers and tips at the craft store, or click HERE for tips on finding cookie decorating supplies. For a quick tutorial in cookie decorating, click HERE. After decorating the cookies, let them dry well overnight.
For more cookie decorating recipes, click here. If you need vegan cookies and icing recipes, click HERE.
To decorate a Santa cookie
I piped the white on the hat and outlined the mustache and beard with white icing using a size “2” tip. Let it set a bit, then piped to fill the white, red and peach with a “3” tip. I piped dots with a black “2” tip.
To decorate candy cane cookies
I used a mini candy cane cutter that came with a set and piped red and white dots with a “3” tip.
To decorate snowball cookies
I just piped and filled white circles with a size “3” or “4” tip and immediately coated with white sprinkles. For the snowflakes, I piped a turquoise background with a “4” tip, let it set a bit, then piped a white snowflake with a “2” tip. For tips on drawing snowflakes, click HERE.
To decorate snowman cookies
I piped and filled white circles with a “4” tip, let set a bit, then used a black “2” tip for the smiley face and an orange “3” tip for the carrot nose.
Sue says
December 15, 2011 at 11:54 amMini cookies, jar, cute tag~what could be better?!? LOVE!
Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
December 15, 2011 at 1:04 pmSuper cute, when I make my minis they are not as cute as your at all. I love using jars too!
Butter Hearts Sugar says
December 15, 2011 at 2:15 pmThey look so super cute!! I love the little Santa. Do you freeze the cookies in the jar or freeze them flat then thaw and package?
the decorated cookie says
December 15, 2011 at 2:46 pmI stick the whole jar in the freezer, though the better advice is to freeze them in freezer-safe Ziplocs flat and then package. But the one important thing to note is to let them thaw TOTALLY in the bag before opening the bag. Otherwise they can get condensation and the icing bleeds.
Nicole ~ The Diva says
December 15, 2011 at 3:29 pmSo funny that you post this now because I have been in the decorating mini cookies for the last 3 days for just this purpose. I have 8 jars to make by Tuesday and another 8 to make by the 23. I did a bunch of different mini shapes but I am now thinking that mini circles are the BEST …lol.
Charity says
December 15, 2011 at 3:31 pmThis is a great idea for little kids too–small sizes mean a little less sugar but all the fun! Totally beautiful and thank you for the inspiration. I'll come again…often!
Trish - Sweetology101 says
December 15, 2011 at 6:42 pmlove the santa how too – going to be making him I bet real soon!! Thanks!
Karyn - Pint Sized Baker says
December 15, 2011 at 11:09 pmHow simple and lovely! What a great idea to sneak in those cookies into a jar! Also, bite sized cookies have no calories, right? That's what Santa told me 🙂
Paula says
December 16, 2011 at 4:04 amBite size is perfect size especially when they are as adorable as all of these. Love how you did the candy cane cookies.
Tiffany@Fizzy Party! says
December 16, 2011 at 5:10 amSo cute. What a fun gift to recieve or be Elfed with 🙂
Rowaida says
December 16, 2011 at 8:38 amAmazingly cute love love these cookies. Happy holidays xoxo
Michele says
December 16, 2011 at 10:58 amThose are precious. I sure would love to get one of your jars of cookies!
IFeelCook says
December 16, 2011 at 1:12 pmSuch great Christmas cookies!! They are super cute 🙂
Lissa (The Wedding Bistro at Bellenza) says
December 16, 2011 at 4:58 pmWho wouldn't be thrilled to receive these cuties this Christmas?!
Amish Stories says
December 17, 2011 at 2:22 pmGreetings from an Amish community in Pennsylvania, I'm just checking out different blogs and thought id leave a comment. Happy holidays to everyone as well. Richard from Amish Stories
Sarah S. says
December 9, 2013 at 11:12 pmWhat size is your mini candy cane cookie cutter? I’m having trouble finding the right size (so the cookies neatly fit in the jars with other cookies). Also, how far in advance can you make and freeze? Thanks so much!!
meaghanmountford says
December 10, 2013 at 8:32 amSarah, that mini one is only about an inch and a half. It came with a set of Christmas minis (super mini). As long as they are wrapped well, you can freeze for a few months. Just make sure to let the cookies thaw totally in their packaging BEFORE opening, or the condensation can mess up the icing. For tips on how to freeze cookies, visit this post: https://thedecoratedcookie.com/2008/11/cookie-dough-and-frosting-recipes/ or this post: https://thedecoratedcookie.com/2013/12/step-by-step-guide-to-decorating-christmas-cookies-to-go-with-a-big-giveaway/
amee says
January 6, 2014 at 6:04 pmI’m thinking of doing something very similar to this, but for Valentine’s Day… would you be able to tell me what size jar you used!? Thank you 🙂
meaghanmountford says
January 8, 2014 at 8:06 amHi Amee! I used the standard Ball mason jar, which is 1 pint. I’ve found the jars in hardware stores, the supermarket, craft stores… They are about 10 bucks for a dozen. I love my mason jars :).