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Home » Blog » Cookie and Bar Recipes » Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies

Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies

Cathy Roma Published: Dec 21, 2018

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Ugly sweaters have become as synonymous with Christmas as mistletoe and stockings. But it’s even more fun to eat them (in gingerbread form) than wear them! So grab your piping bag, royal icing, and ugly sweater for inspiration and get to piping!

Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies

Let me introduce you to my favorite cookie to exchange with friends over the holidays…the ugly sweater cookie. The ugly sweater gingerbread cookie to be exact. It’s a firm, but not overly crisp, well-spiced gingerbread cookie, cut into sweater shapes, and decorated as minimally or over-the-top as your tacky holiday taste permits.

Mine runs the gamut of bright colors, holiday shapes, cheesy vests, and lumpy cardigans. The possibilities are infinite…snowflakes, a string of lights, candy canes, and snowmen. They’re pure silliness and a great opportunity to hone those piping skills since imperfection is welcome.

Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies

 

Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies

So even if you’re a costume/theme party scrooge (like me), you can still get in on the ugly sweater fun with these cookies. But the cookie fun does not stop here my friends (said in my best 90’s infomercial announcer voice). Nope, because if you’ve got your baking pants on, you’re gonna want to check out more holiday faves:

Nutty Thumbprint Cookies

Walnut Snowball Cookies

Snowflake Cookies

Chocolate Coconut Rugelach

Italian Cookies

I hope you’ll join in the cookie fun by checking out these tasty recipes, or maybe piping your own ugly sweater cookie, or sharing your favorite cookie recipe in the comments. Now, get out of here…we’ve got baking to do!

Tips for success

  • Search for ugly sweater patterns online (or in your closet). Trace a sweater pattern on a sheet of paper and pencil in the design. Make sure it isn’t too challenging for your piping skills.
  • Decide what colors you will need in advance, separate and color. Once you’ve reached your desired colors, separate some of the royal icing to thin with water for flood icing. I label each design with specific colors so I have enough of each.
  • Great news! These cookies can be made well in advance and keep for a good week or so in an air-tight container.

Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies

5 from 8 votes
Ugly Sweater Cookies are decorated with lights, christmas trees, snowmen, and candy canes and are scattered on a tray with gum drops and mini snowflake cookies.
Print
Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies
Prep Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Resting Time
8 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 42 mins
 

Ugly sweaters have become as synonymous with Christmas as mistletoe and stockings. But it's even more fun to eat them (in gingerbread form) than wear them! So grab your piping bag, royal icing, and ugly sweater for inspiration and get to piping!

Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ugly sweater cookies
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 290 kcal
Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For...
Ingredients
Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 12 oz unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses
Royal Icing
  • 1 pound confectioners sugar - SIFTED
  • ¼ cup meringue powder
  • ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tsp clear vanilla
  • Red gel food coloring
Instructions
Gingerbread Cookies
  1. Sift the dry ingredients into a medium bowl.

  2. In another bowl, cream the the butter and sugars together with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 mins.
  3. Add the egg and molasses and mix until well blended.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined.
  5. Divide the dough into two balls and wrap them in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.
  6. Roll out the dough between two sheets of lightly floured wax paper and cut out cookies using a 3 inch sweater cookie cutters. Gather and re-roll the scraps for remaining cookies.
  7. Place the cookies on baking trays lined with parchment paper and put in freezer for about 10 minutes before baking.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees until cookies are set, about 10-12 minutes (depending on the shape/size of the cookie). Cool on wire racks before icing.
Royal Icing
  1. Combine confectioners sugar, meringue powder and cream of tarter in large mixing bowl. Add water and clear vanilla and beat on high speed with paddle attachment until stiff peaks form, but the mixture is not dry. Add water to reach desired piping consistency (tsp or two at a time), mixing after each addition of water.

Decorate the Cookies
  1. Separate the icing into bowls (for flood and piping) and add drops of colored gel food coloring to the bowls to reach the desired color, but keep in mind the color will deepen and darken as the icing dries. Be sure to keep icing covered so it doesn't dry out.
  2. Fill piping bags fitted with round metal #2 tips and flood the cookies.
  3. Let completed cookies dry for several hours before piping ugly sweater designs and decorations. Store the cookies in an air-tight container. They will keep for several days stored at room temperature.
Recipe Notes

Special equipment: 3 inch gingerbread man cookie cutter, piping bags and tips

  • Search for ugly sweater patterns online (or in your closet). Trace a sweater pattern on a sheet of paper and pencil in the design. Make sure it isn't too challenging for your piping skills.
  • Decide what colors you will need in advance, separate and color. Once you've reached your desired colors, separate some of the royal icing to thin with water for flood icing. I label each design with specific colors so I have enough of each.
  • Great news! These cookies can be made well in advance and keep for a good week or so in an air-tight container.
Nutrition Facts
Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 290 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 37mg12%
Sodium 114mg5%
Potassium 168mg5%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Sugar 30g33%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 365IU7%
Calcium 26mg3%
Iron 1.2mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Ugly Sweater Gingerbread Cookies
5

Cookie and Bar Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Recipe ugly sweater, cookie swap, Christmas, cookies, gingerbread, holiday, royal icing

About Cathy Roma

My food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. Sweet, savory, healthy, decadent…food, like life, is all about balance. I rely on my background as a trained chef/mom to create family-friendly recipes that will inspire you to cook, not complicate your life.

★ Made this recipe? Make sure to give it a rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    December 11, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    5 stars
    Works of art, my friend! It would be a challenge to take a nibble and ruin the beauty of these ugly sweater cookies…but I guess that’s the point, right? Love these!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 11, 2017 at 1:41 pm

      That’s right! Decorations are fun, but it’s all about the taste! xo

  2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    December 11, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    You are beyond talented, my friend! These are the cutest cookies!! Super fun and so tasty! Love!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 11, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks Dawn! I’m enjoying a very pleasant virtual sugar rush this morning with all of these yummy treats!

  3. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    December 11, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely fabulous! The ugly sweater has never been more beautiful 🙂

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 11, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      Thank you my friend!

  4. cindy says

    December 11, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    5 stars
    These are so fun. Love the ugly gingerbread sweaters. You are so creative and talented Cathy. I would love to share these with friends this year.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks Cindy! Wish we were closer so we could swap in person.

  5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    December 11, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    As usual, I’m in awe of your expertise at cookie decorating Cathy! I’d have a hard time taking a bite because they’re sooo gorgeous! Well done my friend!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      You’re so sweet! Thank you Mary Ann.

  6. Tamara Andersen says

    December 11, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    5 stars
    I seriously love this post Cathy! And I must agree with our friend Annie… I would be seriously reluctant to bite into one of these beauties (though I’m sure they’re delicious!) They just gorgeous “ugly sweaters!” What fun!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks Tamara! They would pair perfectly with your boozy cocoa!

  7. Meg | Meg is Well says

    December 11, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    5 stars
    These are so pretty for being ugly sweaters! I can’t wait to try these.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:31 pm

      Guess we could call them pretty ugly!

  8. Alisa says

    December 11, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    I would totally wear that blue sweater with the reindeer!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      I bet you could find one for real!

  9. Kendall says

    December 11, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    I think these are honestly such a cute idea. I’m vegan but I could totally find a gingerbread recipe that is vegan and decorate based off your ideas. I love them- so cute.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:33 pm

      There’s lots of great vegan recipes out there for gingerbread, including one in this round up. I would love to see your designs if you give them a go!

  10. Janice says

    December 11, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    5 stars
    So freakin’ amazing. You’re such an artist!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks so much!

  11. Giselle @ The Busy Spatula says

    December 11, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    5 stars
    Bring on all the cookies! Can’t wait to see all the different cookies that you’ll be posting. 🙂 Love the details on the sweaters. I like how you even mixed it up with a cardigan.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:34 pm

      So many great recipes today! I’ll be baking everyday til Christmas!

  12. Christina says

    December 12, 2017 at 6:59 am

    You just won for the most adorable cookies this holiday season. OMG, those ugly sweaters are so freaking cute!!! That reminds me, I use to own an ugly Christmas sweater that had, wait for it, 6 functional sleeves. It was the most god awful and hilarious thing I’ve ever seen. I gifted it to a friend who needed a major laugh. The next time she is down I’m making her these cookies, with 6 arms 😉

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 12, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      Omg! Six arms???!!! I need a pic of that! You need to make that into a cookie and send me a photo!!!

  13. Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says

    December 12, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    These are so awesome!! I always love seeing your creativity!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      December 13, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks so much Natasha! Had fun with these babies.

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HEY THERE, I’M CATHY.

My food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. Sweet, savory, healthy, decadent…food, like life, is all about balance. I rely on my background as a trained chef/mom to create family-friendly recipes that will inspire you to cook, not complicate your life.

Learn More about Cathy

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