Sugar cookies decorated with royal icing look like festive holiday ornaments. Tip: Outline the cookie shape with stiff royal icing and then fill in the cookie with loose royal icing. Once the loose icing has set (about four hours), use the stiff icing to outline the cookie once more and to add other fun details.... read more

This spirited (and so simple) design is easy to re-create with cookie dough and icing. Tip:  Roll out your dough between two pieces of parchment paper; then place it on a cookie sheet and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Cold dough is difficult to roll out. Source: Santa Bellies More Must-Clicks: 63... read more

Frosted cookie cutouts can convey any holiday message you wish -- and make a fun centerpiece. Tip: Between the fun color palettes and whimsical patterns, wrapping paper is a great source for cookie decorating inspiration. Source: One Tough Cookie More Must-Clicks: 63 Amazing Chocolate Recipes Chocolate Sea Salt Cookie... read more

Chocolate Hershey's Kisses add a unique and easy twist to these traditional crinkle cookies. Tip: Freeze your chocolate Kisses before baking; then press the candy into the cookies right after they come out of the oven. Put the cookies in the freezer until the chocolate has set. Source: Bakergirl More from The Nest:... read more

Edible pearls make a standout beard for these Santa cookies. Tip: Not much of a decorator? Purchase fun cookie cutters and then simply frosting the cookies. Source: The Bearfoot Baker More from The Nest: Best Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas Hilarious Holiday Gifts Gone Wrong 63 Amazing Chocolate... read more

Edible beads give these snowflake cookies a bit of glitz. Tip: A tiny frosting tip and royal icing are best for creating intricate designs on cookies. Source: Emily and Amy's Treats read more

Sugar cookie cutouts with bright frosting depict one of our favorite holiday classics – A Charlie Brown Christmas. Tip: To help your cookies keep their shape during baking, arrange balls of dough on your cookie sheet and then freeze it all for about five minutes before you pop it into the oven. Source: read more

This nontraditional take on a snowman turns an otherwise odd-shaped cookie into a fun treat. Tip: Save time by using pens with edible ink to draw your designs, or try different candies as decorations. Source: The Decorated Cookie See 22 more inspiring cookie decorating ideas read more

Balls of cookie dough (without the egg) are dipped in melted chocolate and sprinkles. Lollipop sticks make the treats easy to enjoy. Tip: Add the lollipop sticks to the dough before refrigerating. Once the dough is very cold, it’s ready for dipping. As an alternative to the sticks, try toothpicks and create a little appetizer... read more

Why we love them: Ginger cookies are a holiday classic--and this recipe has just the right amount of spice. The sweet snowflake design is simple to make with DIY royal icing. Submitted by: An Apple a Day Make this recipe read more