Name: Sugar Cookie Mitten Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 42 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional); 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar; 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 4 tablespoons water; ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract; Food coloring (red, white, and festive colors)

Biting into a soft, delightful sugar cookie mitten that melts right on your tongue!

Winter’s coziest treat comes alive with these charming seasonal delights.

Festive bakers adore creating these whimsical shapes that spark joy at every gathering.

Decorating becomes an art form when you transform simple dough into adorable mittens.

Delicate icing and sprinkles turn ordinary cookies into magical winter memories.

Colorful and playful, these sweet treats invite everyone to embrace the season’s warmth.

You’ll fall in love with how easily these cookies come together in your kitchen.

Grab your apron and let the cookie adventure begin!

Why do I need to chill the cookie dough before rolling?

Chilling helps the dough firm up, preventing spreading during baking and making it easier to roll out without sticking. It also helps the cookies maintain their crisp mitten shape.

Can I make the sugar cookie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. This makes it perfect for advance party or holiday prep.

How do I prevent my royal icing from becoming too runny?

Add powdered sugar gradually to thicken the icing or use less water. For flooding consistency, the icing should flow smoothly but not be too thin. Start with small amounts of liquid and adjust slowly.

What's the best way to get clean edges when decorating mittens?

Use a steady hand and a piping bag with a small round tip. Outline the mitten shape first, then flood the inside with slightly thinned icing. Let each layer dry before adding additional decorative details.

Craft Cozy Winter Shapes: These mitten-shaped cookies transform classic sugar cookie dough into adorable seasonal treats that capture the warmth and charm of winter celebrations.
Create Effortless Decorative Delights: Royal icing offers versatile decorating options, allowing you to personalize each cookie with intricate designs, colors, and festive patterns that make every mitten unique.
Master Simple Baking Techniques: The recipe provides straightforward steps perfect for bakers of all skill levels, featuring easy dough preparation, convenient chilling time, and foolproof baking instructions that guarantee delicious results.
Enjoy Festive Family Fun: These cookies become an interactive experience, inviting family members to join in decorating and creating memorable moments together during holiday gatherings or winter-themed parties.

Cookie Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: A key structural ingredient for the cookie with a soft, tender texture.
Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, airy structure.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cookie.
Vanilla Extract: Provides classic sweet flavor and depth.
Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that adds a subtle nutty flavor.

Decoration Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar: Base for creating smooth, glossy royal icing.
Egg Whites or Meringue Powder: Gives structure and stability to the icing.
Vanilla Extract: Adds flavor to the royal icing.
Food Coloring: Allows for creative and festive decoration of mittens.
Water: Adjusts the consistency of the royal icing for piping and flooding.

Preparation Ingredients:

Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
All-Purpose Flour (for dusting): Helps roll out dough without sticking to the surface.

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until they become light and fluffy. The mixture should look creamy and pale.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Blend in:

Egg
Vanilla extract
Almond extract (optional)

Mix until everything is well combined and smooth.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until the dough comes together and forms a cohesive ball.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7: Roll and Cut Cookies

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter to create festive shapes.

Step 8: Bake Mittens

Place cookie shapes on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.

Step 9: Cool Cookies

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Prepare Royal Icing

In a large bowl, beat together:

Powdered sugar
Egg whites (or meringue powder + water)
Vanilla extract

Mix until the icing becomes thick and glossy.

Step 11: Adjust Icing Consistency

Add water one teaspoon at a time to reach the perfect piping or flooding consistency.

Step 12: Decorate Mittens

Divide icing into separate bowls. Add food coloring as desired. Use a piping bag with a fine tip to:

Outline mitten shapes
Flood inside with thinned icing
Create festive designs like snowflakes, polka dots, or stripes

Enjoy your delightful mitten cookies!

Butter Softening Hack: Leave butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even incorporation without over-mixing.
Dough Chilling Secret: Wrap dough tightly in plastic to prevent drying and allow flavors to develop, creating more tender cookies.
Thickness Matters: Roll dough consistently to 1/4-inch thickness for uniform baking and perfect crisp edges that won't burn.
Icing Consistency Trick: Test royal icing by drawing a line with a knife – if it disappears in 10 seconds, you've reached the ideal flooding consistency.
Storage Smart Tip: Store decorated cookies between parchment layers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, keeping them fresh and crisp.

Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or place in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
Icing Care: Store royal icing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir well before using and add a tiny splash of water if needed to restore consistency.

Brew Cozy Winter Chai: Pair these adorable mitten cookies with a warm, spicy chai latte that echoes the festive winter theme. The rich, aromatic blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger will complement the sweet sugar cookie perfectly.
Match with Creamy Hot Chocolate: Serve these delightful mittens alongside a luxurious mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. The rich, velvety chocolate creates a delicious contrast to the crisp, sweet cookie texture.
Serve with Festive Mulled Wine: For adult gatherings, pour a glass of warm, spiced mulled wine that brings out the cookie's subtle almond and vanilla notes. The wine's deep, warming flavors will enhance the cookie's delicate sweetness.
Create a Cookie and Milk Platter: Arrange these charming mitten cookies on a platter with different milk options – classic whole milk, almond milk, or even a festive eggnog – for a playful and nostalgic dessert experience.

Winter Wonderland Cookies: Transform the mittens into snowy landscapes by using white royal icing as a base and adding edible glitter or pearl sprinkles to create a frosty effect.
Festive Nordic Design: Incorporate traditional Scandinavian patterns with geometric shapes and intricate lines in red, white, and blue royal icing for a cozy winter feel.
Personalized Gift Cookies: Add names or initials using royal icing to create custom mittens perfect for holiday gift-giving or family gatherings.
Chocolate-Dipped Elegance: Partially dip the baked mitten cookies in melted dark or white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint or toasted nuts for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.