Adorable Puppy Santa Butter Cookies: 1 Delightful Recipe

Okay, picture this: It’s Christmas Eve (or, let’s be real, the week before!), the kitchen’s warm, carols are playing… and you’re making these ridiculously cute Puppy Santa Butter Cookies. I seriously can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon! I remember when I was little, my grandma would let me “help” decorate her sugar cookies, which mostly involved me eating sprinkles. Ah, good times! Anyway, these Puppy Santa Butter Cookies are just… *chef’s kiss*. They’re simple enough that even the little ones can get involved – trust me, my niece is a pro – and who can resist a sweet, buttery cookie shaped like an adorable puppy in a Santa hat? Seriously, tell me! They’re just the thing to make your holiday baking extra special.

Why You’ll Love These Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Okay, so why should you spend an afternoon whipping up a batch of these adorable Puppy Santa Butter Cookies? Well, let me tell you! Seriously, there are tons of reasons:

• They’re seriously fun to make with kids. Get ready for some giggles (and maybe a little mess!).
• That puppy Santa design? Irresistibly cute! I mean, come on!
• They’re *perfect* for holiday gifting. Who wouldn’t want a handful of these little guys?
• The buttery cookie flavor is just divine. Simple, classic, totally delicious.
• And… you can totally customize them with any icing colors you want! Pink Santa hats? Go for it!

That’s why I think anyone should bake these cookies.

Ingredients for Your Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! You’ll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (but *not* melted, okay?)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar – for that touch of sweetness!
• 1 large egg – makes everything stick together
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – the good stuff, trust me.
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – can’t make cookies without it.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – for a little lift!
• 1/4 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness.
• Red, white, and black icing for decoration (store-bought or homemade – your call!).

How to Make Puppy Santa Butter Cookies: Step-by-Step

Okay, here’s the lowdown on how we’re gonna make these adorable Puppy Santa Butter Cookies! Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks, I promise! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be swimming in puppy-shaped goodness in no time.

1. First things first: Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. You’ll want to beat them together until they’re light and fluffy – kinda like whipped cream, but… buttery. I use my stand mixer for this, but a good ol’ hand mixer works just fine too!
2. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Just until it’s combined, don’t overmix!
3. In a *separate* bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This is important, trust me! You want to make sure the baking powder is evenly distributed so your cookies rise evenly.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix here, folks! Overmixing = tough cookies, and nobody wants that.
5. Now, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for *at least* 1 hour. This is crucial! Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. I usually chill mine for a couple of hours, or even overnight if I’m feeling super organized (which is, like, never).
6. Alright, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). And get your baking sheet ready. I always line mine with parchment paper – makes cleanup a breeze!
7. Time to roll out the dough! On a lightly floured surface, roll that baby out to about 1/4 inch thickness. You don’t want it too thin, or your puppies will be fragile!
8. Grab your puppy-shaped cookie cutter and cut out those cookies! If you don’t have a puppy one, you can use any shape! A Santa or reindeer would work great too!
9. Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are *lightly* golden. Watch them carefully, because they can go from perfect to burnt in a flash!
11. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating. I know, it’s tempting to dive right in, but trust me on this one. Warm cookies + icing = melty mess.
12. Finally, the fun part: Decorate those cooled cookies with red, white, and black icing to make them look like adorable puppy Santas! Get creative! My favorite part is adding a little sprinkle of edible glitter for extra sparkle.

And there you have it! Puppy Santa Butter Cookies, ready to spread some holiday cheer!

Tips for Perfect Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Want to make sure your Puppy Santa Butter Cookies are absolutely *perfect*? Of course, you do! Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way:

• Make sure that butter is *really* softened. Like, leave it out for a good hour or two. Seriously, it makes a difference!
• Don’t skimp on chilling the dough! It prevents spreading and keeps those cute puppy shapes intact.
• Roll the dough out evenly. Uneven dough = unevenly baked cookies. Nobody wants a lopsided Santa puppy!
• If your cookies are browning too quickly, try lowering the oven temperature a bit. Ovens can be temperamental, ya know?
• Gel food coloring is your friend! It gives you bright, vibrant icing colors without adding too much liquid.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be golden! I am serious.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Okay, so maybe you’re missing an ingredient or two, or you have some dietary needs? No sweat! Here are a few swaps you can make for these Puppy Santa Butter Cookies:

• **All-purpose flour:** If you’re gluten-free, a good gluten-free all-purpose blend works great! Just make sure it’s a blend designed for baking.
• **Vanilla extract:** Don’t have vanilla? Almond extract is a fun substitute! It’ll give your cookies a slightly different flavor, but still super yummy. I love mixing in a little bit of both!
• **Icing:** Store-bought is easy, but homemade icing is so fun! Plus, you can use natural food coloring if you’re avoiding artificial dyes. Just beet juice, or spinach!

Easy peasy, right?

How to Store Your Decorated Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Alright, you’ve got a pile of these precious Puppy Santa Butter Cookies… but what if you have leftovers? (Gasp!). No worries! Just pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days. And… if you want them to last even longer? You can totally freeze them! Just make sure they’re in a freezer-safe container. Then you’ll get puppy cookies whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Got questions about these totally adorable Puppy Santa Butter Cookies? I got you! Here are some of the most common things people ask (and honestly, things I wondered myself the first time I made them!):

Can I use a different cookie cutter shape?

Absolutely! While the puppy Santa shape is super cute, feel free to get creative! Use a regular Santa, a star, a Christmas tree…anything goes! The butter cookie dough is the real star of the show here.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You betcha! In fact, I recommend it! Making the dough a day or two in advance is a total time-saver, especially if you’re planning a big baking day. Just keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge.

What’s the best way to decorate the cookies with kids?

Ah, the million-dollar question! First, embrace the mess! Second, set up stations: one for icing, one for sprinkles, one for edible glitter…you get the idea. Let them be creative, even if the puppies end up looking a little… abstract, hehe!

Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yep! Freeze ’em plain or decorated! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Trust me, future you will thank you.

My dough is too sticky, what should I do?

Don’t panic! A little extra flour is your friend. Just add a tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together and isn’t so sticky anymore. Also, make sure your butter wasn’t *too* soft to start with. Firm, but pliable, is what we want!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Puppy Santa Butter Cookies

Okay, so let’s talk numbers! Just a heads-up: this is a rough estimate, but each adorable Puppy Santa Butter Cookie clocks in around:

• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Remember, that’s per cookie so adjust accordingly!

Enjoy Your Puppy Santa Butter Cookies!

Alright, my friends, that’s all there is to it! Now, go forth and bake some Puppy Santa Butter Cookies! I seriously hope you love these as much as we do.

And hey, if you make them, be sure to snap a pic and share it with me! I’d *love* to see your creations! Also, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below – I’m always looking for ways to make things even better!

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