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Officially kicking off the holiday season with these easy Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies. Made with nutty brown butter, double the vanilla, and a little bit of chocolate. These cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet with the best vanilla flavor. They’re generously glazed with a sweet, thick, and creamy vanilla bean glaze. And decorated with sweet chocolate and delicious holiday M&M’s for truly some of the best sugar cookies around. The secret is all in the combination of brown butter and real vanilla beans, which keep these cookies incredibly flavorful. Fun to bake, delicious to eat. These make for a great homemade gift, and a festive addition to your holiday cookie box!
This is the year I’m focusing on ALL of the Christmas cookies. I have so many ideas and not enough days to share…picking the best cookies has been hard!
These were an easy choice though. They actually started out a little differently, but as soon as I had the idea to do Christmas lights, I was excited.
My goal this year is fun holiday desserts – but easy. Nothing too time-consuming and no big scary decorating projects. Just delicious, easy, cute, and extra festive. These cookies are all of those things.
My hang-up with basic sugar cookies is that they’re often flavorless and the frosting is even worse. They just taste like sugar, and I’m definitely not into that.
With these cookies, I wanted to add flavor with brown butter and real vanilla bean. The chocolate on top, just makes them even better.
The details
Brown the butter, then let it cool off in the freezer a bit. Once it’s cooled (you only need 15 minutes), you can start mixing and baking.
Beat the butter with the sugar and vanilla bean powder. You’ll want to beat for at least a minute to really infuse the butter with the vanilla flavor. Next, add an egg and all the dry ingredients, then roll, cut, and bake. There’s absolutely nothing fancy here.
Whenever I make any kind of cut-out cookie, I always like to roll out the dough, cut the cookies, and then freeze the cut cookies on a baking sheet for a few minutes. This ensures that the cookies hold their shape. To cut my cookies, I used a simple circle cookie cutter and a holiday tree.
If you want to skip the rolling – simply slice n’ bake
I LOVE slice-n-bake cookies, and you can easily slice-n-bake with this dough!
Just divide the dough in half as directed, then roll each piece of dough into a log and chill in the fridge until totally solid.
If you have an almost empty roll of wrapping paper around, cut the roll and fit it around each log, this will prevent the dough from forming a straight edge in the fridge!
And when ready to bake, simply slice-n-bake!
Decorating is easy
I kept the icing simple, since I wanted the color to remain white but still have a nice flavor. I added a small amount of maple syrup and lots of vanilla.
It’s simple, but with the chocolate on top, perfect!
When it comes to cookies, I try to keep the decorating as easy as can be, and this is EASY. I used melted chocolate to draw on the cords for the lights, then used mini holiday M&M’s for the lights.
Doesn’t get easier, but looks so cute once finished!
Asher wasn’t around when I made these, so I can’t wait to make these again soon with her. She’s going to love them! They’re the perfect Christmas cookie to make with kids!
Looking for other Christmas cookies? Here are my favorites:
Vanilla Ginger Shortbread Wreaths
Lastly, if you make these Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies
Servings: 22 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 206 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder, or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut liquor (optional)
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus an additional 2-4 tablespoons, if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Vanilla Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
- mini holiday M&M’s and vanilla sugar for decorating
Instructions
- 1. Add 6 tablespoons butter to a small saucepan set over medium heat, cooking until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Stick in the freezer to chill, 10 minutes, but no longer.2. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.3. In a mixing bowl, beat together the remaining 6 tablespoons butter, the cooled browned butter, sugar, and vanilla bean powder until combined. Add the egg and mix until combined. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, beat until combined and the dough forms a ball. If the dough feels too wet to roll out, add 2-4 tablespoons additional flour.4. Divide the dough in half. Roll out the dough on a floured piece of parchment paper to 1/4 inch thickness. Make sure you're using enough flour or your dough will stick. Cut out the cookies using circle and Christmas tree cutters. Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. I recommend using a floured spatula to lift the cookies. Cover the baking sheet and place in the freezer until firm, 15 minutes. Roll out the leftover scraps, and repeat with the remaining dough.5. Bake the cookies on the middle rack of the oven for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly golden. Let cool. 6. Meanwhile, make the icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water until smooth and drizzly. If needed, thin the glaze by adding water – 1 tablespoon at a time, until drizzly. 7. Spoon the icing onto each cookie, spreading it to the edges. Let sit to dry. Add the melted chocolate to a sandwich bag and cut a small portion of the corner off. Draw 2 lines onto each round cookie and then a squiggly line up the trees. Press mini M&Ms into the chocolate as "lights" (look through the photos for examples).
Notes
To Slice n’ Bake: divide the dough in half as directed, then roll each piece of dough into a log about 5 inches long and wrap in parchment paper. Chill in the fridge 4 hours or until ready to bake. Alternately, you can freeze 45 minutes if in a hurry. Slice the logs into 1/4 inch rounds and bake as directed.
Tip: If you have an almost empty roll of wrapping paper around, cut the roll down the center, then fit it around each log, this will prevent the dough from forming a straight edge in the fridge.
I used cream of 2-3tbls earl grey tea from davids tea in the browning butter and a tsp vanilla… these are the bomb! Will forever be my go to.
Thank you
Hi Sierra,
Fantastic! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!? xx
I’m not usually a huge fan of sugar cookies but I’m all for traditions and decorating cookies is one of ours. These sugar cookies are delightful! The browned butter and slight saltiness made them amazing, this will be our go to recipe! For the icing, I thinned it out just enough so my kids (3 and 5) could dip the cookies and it worked so well!
Hi Michelle,
Fantastic! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!? xx
Wonderful! WHERE can we get the Christmas tree cutters??
Hi Deborah,
Sorry, there is no link for the cutters, I drew the stencil for the tree:) xTieghan
Thanks for the inspiration, Tieghan! I always make your cookies around the holidays. Where did you get the cutter for the tree? I love the funky shape. Thanks again & happy holidays!?
Hey Angela,
I drew the stencil for the tree:) Let me know if you give the cookies a try, I hope you love them! xTieghan
How long do these keep for? ☺️
Hi Brooke,
These are best within the first 5 days of baking. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Do you have to brown the butter for this?
Hi Erica,
The brown butter adds a lot of flavor, but you could definitely skip this step. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hey Tiegan
I have been meaning to comment for some time but want you to know that even though I am obsessed with every recipe of yours I have tried … I am harmless LOL. My daughter in law gave me your cookbook for Christmas last year and it has not left my side. In fact, I totally changed up the traditional Thanksgiving menu this year … same food … your Thanksgiving menu. My middle son and his girlfriend made the Harvest Salad, my younger son made the stacked sweet potatoes. I did the amazing croissant dressing, turkey, potatoes and chocolate espresso pie. It was not only fun working with the boys but over- the- top delicious. This menu has already been requested for next year, so don’t be doing any changes!
We split our time between Phoenix and Dillon and love the soups and mountain comfort foods. Keep up the good work, you are appreciated!
Hey Terry,
Thanks so much for your kind message! I am so glad you have been enjoying so many recipes and appreciate you making them:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These came out totally amazing! They are delicious even without icing. I read the other review and cut the icing in half, but ended up running out. So follow the recipe ?
Hey there,
Awesome! Love to hear that you liked the recipe, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Holidays! xx
Hi Tieghan,
I’m crazy about all of your recipes. Every one of them that I have tried, my family has LOVED! Honey butter rolls are a staple now. And that white bean chili…wow…to die for!
THANK YOU!
Wondering if you could give quick advice on where to buy the more unusual ingredients like meringue powder and vanilla bean powder for as inexpensive as possible? That would be super helpful.
‘
Thanks again for making cooking/baking come alive at our home.
Hey Lisa,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes! I usually turn to Amazon for items I cannot find at my local grocery store. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Lisa, I buy my meringue powder at Michael’s craft store (and they always have coupons) or Hobby Lobby. Hope that helps!
Loved these! So adorable
Hey Cheryl,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi, how many days can i keep the cookies stored in room temp? Planning to make them ahead and then put the icing a day before? Would that work? Thanks! 🙂
Hi Mela,
Sure, that would work! You can store at room temp for up to 4 days. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Wanting to try these with my kiddos!!! I love that cookie cutter! I saw in the comments you drew the stencil!! Amazing!! Would you ever sell the cookie cutter?!?
That would be a fun idea! No plans for that at this time though:)
Where did you get your cookie cutter? I love it!
Hi Erin,
I drew the stencil for this cookie cutter:) xTieghan
You are crazy talented!!
I made these with my 4 year-old and we had a great time making and eating them! They are easy enough to make with a small child, delicious, and festive. 5 stars! I only have two small comments: the icing makes WAY too much, at least for our taste. It could have been divided by two. And when I use the metric system converter (kudos on that!), it doesn’t work for the butter. I live in France and I always have to look up how much a stick of butter weighs…
Hey Sarah,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi! Love this recipe and all of them in general 🙂 Question on icing: do you have to refrigerate the cookie or can they sit out if you have icing on them? Thanks in advance for your response & for being here.
Hey Annie,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! No need to keep these in the fridge. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Brown butter!! Of course–just what is needed to turn a plain sugar cookie into something truly delicious. You’re a genius! I have been baking for decades and these are far superior to any sugar cookie I have ever made. So good!! And as commented by many others, your Christmas tree cutouts are darling. Commission a cookie cutter so we can all buy it 🙂
Hey May,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Thanks so much for your kind message:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan