Christmas Holiday Preschool Activity: "Painting" Sugar Cookies

A great Christmas baking activity to involve kids in is not just baking sugar cookies, but "painting" them with icing afterwords. Most kids love to cut out sugar cookies and paint on the icing and they make a great holiday treat for your family or to share with friends. Kids love to be actively involved in preparing for important things and like to help cook and make gifts.

Last year we did this with my 4 1.2 year old and 3 year old and they had a great time.

Do be sure to let the sugar cookies cool completely before icing and the icing harden completely before stacking or serving for best presentation.

Homemade Roll Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

• 3 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter or margarine softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• Milk (if the dough is too dry)

1. Cream together butter and sugar.
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredients, incorporating flour about 1 cup at a time.
4. If the dough is too dry add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
5. Chill in the refrigerator a couple of hours or overnight. I did find that with all real butter though I had to let the dough soften up a bit after chilling it overnight.
6. Roll small sections of dough at a time to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
7. Bake at 400F for 6-8 minutes, until edges just begin to brown.

Powdered Sugar Icing Recipe

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 Tbsp milk
• Food coloring if desired

1. Place powdered sugar is a small mixing bowl and add milk a Tbsp at a time until a nice consistency. Stir until smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
2. Drizzle or paint cooled cookies a solid color with a food safe brush. Sprinkle with sugar or sprinkles if desired.
3. Allow to harden at least 1 hour before stacking or serving.

The stars and snowballs turned out pretty good.

Don't their Christmas trees look festive with sprinkle ornaments?

Painting sugar cookies can be fun for adults too!