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Because the gift of cookies is the BEST gift ever.
Material things are nice and all, but the truth is, the way to win pretty much anyone over is with a plate full of COOKIES. Or I guess in this case, a bowl full! I am a huge fan of homemade gifts and I make them whenever I can. Last year I even stuffed stockings with homemade body scrubs and oils, which of course my mom and cousins loved. This year however, I’m thinking cookies all the way! I mean, how fun are these little cookie decorating kits? They come complete with homemade gingerbread and sugar cookies, along with all the things you need to decorate your cookies…royal icing, sprinkles and all the chocolate you can get your hands on! Hey, it’s Christmas, so we go all out!
I spent a good part of Friday night working on these fun gifts while my brother and cousin watched Home Alone on my couch. It was actually perfect because I can see the TV from the kitchen counter, and having a Christmas movie on in the background totally helped to put me in the Christmas spirit. They were also maybe sipping on these North Pole Cocktails… Clearly I’m ready for all things Christmas!
But um, back to these Christmas Cookie Decorating Kits! These are the perfect gift for anyone who loves the idea of baking and decorating Christmas cookies, but 1) may not have the time or 2) is maybe not the best baker in the world. But even if you’re a great baker, this is still a really fun gift to receive. The hard work of baking and rolling out the cookies has already been done for you. Only the fun part is left – the decorating! Um, yes please!
When I’m assembling my kits, I like to include the cookie recipes, along with as a few fun cookie cutters. That way if everyone’s having a great time and wants to keep going, they’re all set! I mean, once you taste the cookies, it’s kind of hard not to want to make more…and more! 🙂
This would be a great gift for teachers, co-workers, friends…really anyone. I know my mom is hoping that I make a few more kits for Asher’s teachers…can’t blame her. It’s a lot more fun than the classic apple or box of chocolates. I know my cousin Maggie, who is a teacher, would greatly enjoy some cookies instead of all the owls she receives (long story, another day…).
So really, you should probably consider making these for everyone on your list this year, just sayin’.
Also, my brother made me awesome recipe cards for you all to print of and use for you own recipes! Love them! You can print them off here: Christmas Recipe Card
Also, here are the products I used to make my gift.
Bowl
10 ounce Weck Jar (used for the frosting)
2.7 ounce Weck Jar (used for sprinkles and M&M’s)
Christmas Spatula
PS. I made a very similar gift basket for Crate and Barrel last year. You can see it here, along with one of my favorite Christmas Dinner party menus. If you’re looking for more homemade Christmas gifts check the list below!
The Gift of a Christmas Scent (Homemade Potpourri)
Snowy, Sparkly Pine Cone Ornaments
Coconut Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Covered Pretzel Presents
Edible Christmas Gifts In Jars
Hot Chocolate Mugs with Homemade Marshmallows
Homemade Vanilla Bean Salt + Vanilla Bean Sugar
Christmas Cookie Decorating Kit.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 213 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 large mixing bowl
- ½ pound red or green shredded crinkle cut paper
- 12-18 slice freshly baked gingerbread and/or [sugar cookies | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/easy--n-bake-vanilla-bean-christmas-sugar-cookies-wwhipped-buttercream/] recipe below
- 3 ounce Weck Jars 2.7
- 1 ounce Weck Jar 10
- 1 cup white icing recipe below
- M Holiday sprinkles + holiday &M’s
- Clear cellophane wrap
- Holiday ribbon
- Cookie cutters optional
Instructions
- To your large mixing bowl, add the shredded paper to fill the bowl. Decoratively arrange the cookies towards the back of the bowl. Fill the small jars with holiday sprinkles + M&M’s and place towards the front of the bowl. Fill the large jar with white icing and arrange towards the middle. If needed, add more shredded paper to fill. You can also get creative and add other things to the bowl such as cookie cutters, or the recipe for homemade sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies.
- Spread a large piece of cellophane on the counter and put the bowl in the center of the wrap. Cover the bowl with cellophane and tie with a festive holiday ribbon. Attach one of your favorite ornaments to the ribbon. Gift away!
Gingerbread Cookies.
Servings: 18 Cookies
Calories Per Serving: 102 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons butter at room temperature
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
- In a small bowl combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar, beating for about 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the molasses and egg, beat until combined. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until no streaks are showing in the dough.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and flour a clean work surface, adding flour to the dough as well. Roll it out as thin or thick as you like. If you want the cookies crisp roll thin, if you prefer them softer roll the dough out thicker. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter, cutting them as close to one another as possible to minimize waste.
- Transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheets. Cover the baking sheets and place them in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes or until just set. Cool on a cookie sheet.
Easy White Icing.
Servings: 1 cup
Calories Per Serving: 2103 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract
- 6-8 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add the powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla and 6 tablespoons water to a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, whisk on high speed until the icing is glossy. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached. Keep the frosting covered at all times or it will harden.
Notes
Nutritional value based on 1 cup
Happy gift giving!
Great posting
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing idea of cooking..
thanks!
Great recipe
Thank you!
You are very good in cooking! keep sharing recipes
I will indeed! Thank you Aditi!!
As I come across many chefs but i like the most among them. Thank you!
Thank you so much!
You are amazing 🙂
Thank you!
Just you agree, for me you are an eternal god
Haha, thank you!
Nice recipeeee.
Thank you!
Ah, I love this idea–it would make the most perfect gift! Idea: host a cookie decorating party!
Ok, this is super cute!! You are great
Thank you Tracy!
Hi, Tiegh! I made these cookies, with a teeny-tiny modification: used honey instead of molasses and different blend of spices, nevertheless, they went out awesome! My colleagues and roommates were impressed. I baked them sunday; now it’s tuesday, and they’re all gone!! I was pleasantly surprised that they were soft immediately, because our traditional gingerbread cookies need some time (a week or so) to soften. But this was not the case!
I did not eat them by myself, but everybody who tried them really praised them. I want to thank you very much for sharing the recipe with us, by your doing, now I’m a notorious Cook at work.
Have a wonderful day and cannot wait for the next posts.
||Jar||
Hi!! So happy they came out well!! Wow!! Went so fast!
So happy they were a hit!! Thanks so much Jar!!
Wow what a fun and adorable gift idea! Not to mention a yummy one! This is definitely the best way to Christmas gift-giving! And there’s just nothing like homemade gifts, especially edible ones! lol Girl, you sure always go all-out! That’s what I love about you, you always always inspire me to be better, if not the best! 😉
Awh! That is so sweet to hear! I am really happy you are loving these little cookie kits too because who doesn’t want cookies?! lol! Thanks Sheila!
Where did you get the peppermint swirl lollipops? Your blog is my favorite!!!!!
Walmart! 🙂
Thank you!
Lots of creativity, congratulations. I already saved the recipe = D
Thanks! Hope you love it
That’s Great stuff. Great idea for upcoming Christmas for childrens.
Thanks!!