Adorable Little Gnome Cookies Recipe – Bake It Today!

Baking delightful gnome cookies brings pure joy to any kitchen during the festive season.

These whimsical, charming gnome cookies capture the magical essence of holiday treats.

Soft, buttery sugar cookies adorned with playful decorations make everyone smile.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create these adorable little characters.

Colorful icing and creative design turn these cookies into edible art that sparks happiness.

Each gnome cookie tells a sweet story of creativity and fun.

Dive into this delightful recipe and spread some cheerful magic on your dessert plate.

How To Bake The Cutest Gnome Cookies

• Dough Preparation

Mix butter and sugar until creamy and smooth. Add egg and vanilla, blending thoroughly. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate container. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Separate dough into two portions, wrap snugly, and chill in refrigerator for one hour.

• Oven Warmup

Heat kitchen appliance to 350F. Cover baking trays with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

• Cookie Crafting

Roll chilled dough on floured surface. Create triangle shapes for pointy gnome hats. Cut circular bases representing adorable faces. Connect hat triangles to round foundations, gently pinching hat tops for charming curves.

• Baking Magic

Arrange cookie shapes on prepared trays, leaving small gaps between each. Bake until edges turn golden, approximately 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to rest briefly on trays before transferring to cooling rack.

• Festive Decorating

Splash vibrant red icing across gnome hats. Add fluffy marshmallow trim. Pipe white icing for textured beards. Place tiny chocolate chips as cute button noses. Optional: Draw expressive eyes with dark icing.

• Sharing Happiness

Let decorations set completely. These delightful gnome cookies make perfect gifts or party centerpieces that spark joy and conversation.

Extra Tips For The Cutest Gnome Cookies

• Perfect Baking Tricks & Tasty Twists for Gnome Cookies
• Dough Chilling Magic: Refrigerate cookie dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain crisp gnome shapes during baking. Cold dough helps cookies hold intricate details better.
• Precision Rolling: Use powdered sugar instead of flour when rolling dough to prevent dryness and maintain smooth cookie surfaces. Roll dough evenly to ensure consistent baking and perfect gnome silhouettes.
• Decoration Genius: Experiment with different colored royal icings like blue, green, or pastel shades to create unique gnome personalities. Try edible glitter or sprinkles for extra whimsical charm.
• Dietary Friendly Swap: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly cookies. Use dairy-free butter alternatives and egg substitutes to make vegan-friendly gnome treats that everyone can enjoy.

Serving The Cutest Gnome Cookies At Parties

• Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange the gnome cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprinkled powdered sugar, creating a whimsical winter wonderland display that delights both kids and adults.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Wrap individual gnome cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or party favors that spread cheerful sweetness.
• Dessert Table Centerpiece: Create a playful gnome cookie village by positioning cookies at different heights using cake stands or tiered platters, adding small decorative elements like pine sprigs or miniature winter accessories.
• Kids' Decorating Party: Set up a cookie decorating station with extra royal icing, sprinkles, and candies, letting children personalize their own gnome cookies and unleash their creative imagination.

Storing The Cutest Gnome Cookies The Right Way

• Tasty Cookie Conservation Strategies
• Counter Storage Charm: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to maintain their adorable shape and prevent sticking.
• Freezer Magic: Wrap undecorated cookie dough in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Cookies can hibernate in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Decorated Delight Safekeeping: Store decorated gnome cookies in a single layer inside a sealed container. Place wax paper between each layer to protect delicate icing details. Refrigeration helps royal icing set perfectly.
• Make-Ahead Happiness: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Baked and undecorated cookies stay fresh for a week. Complete decorating just before serving for maximum cuteness and flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

What You Need For The Cutest Gnome Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates a tender, crumbly cookie texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh and not expired for optimal lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a soft texture, use room temperature unsalted butter for smooth creaming.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps cookies brown, opt for granulated white sugar for consistent results.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile, choose pure vanilla extract for the most authentic taste.

• Royal Icing: Creates smooth, decorative surface for gnome details, use gel food coloring for vibrant colors.
• Mini Marshmallows: Adds whimsical texture to gnome hat trim, choose fresh, soft marshmallows.
• Candy or Chocolate Chips: Creates adorable nose details, select small, uniform chips for consistent appearance.

What To Use For The Cutest Gnome Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing dough ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for achieving light, fluffy texture when combining wet ingredients.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out dough evenly to perfect 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cookie cutters (triangle and round): Key tools for creating adorable gnome-shaped cookies.
• Baking sheets: Necessary for baking cookies to golden perfection.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Perfect for letting cookies cool completely after baking.
• Piping bags: Great for decorating with royal icing and adding cute details.
• Small bowls: Helpful for separating and preparing different colored icings.

Whimsical Gnome Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Whimsical gnome cookies sparkle with playful charm from German baking traditions. Colorful details and sweet frosting create adorable treats that delight guests at any celebration.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (230 g/8.1 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ½ cups (315 g/11.1 oz) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g/5.3 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Royal icing (store-bought or homemade, divided into red, white, and black)
• Mini marshmallows (optional, for hat details)
• Candy or chocolate chips (for noses)

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla extract to create a smooth, consistent mixture.
2. Dry Ingredient Integration: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently incorporate into the wet mixture, forming a uniform dough. Divide into two portions, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to enhance flavor and texture.
3. Dough Shaping: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut triangular shapes for gnome hats and circular forms for faces and beards. Carefully assemble cookie components, positioning triangular hats atop round bases and pinching hat tips for a whimsical curve.
4. Baking Process: Arrange shaped cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them one inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden. Rest on baking sheets for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
5. Decorative Finishing: Adorn gnome hats with vibrant red royal icing. Create textured white royal icing beards using a zigzag technique. Attach miniature marshmallows for hat trim and place candy or chocolate chips as noses. Add black royal icing for expressive eyes. Allow decorative elements to set completely before serving or storing.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate cookie dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain intricate gnome shapes during baking.
• Roll with Precision: Use consistent 1/4-inch thickness when rolling dough to ensure uniform baking and perfectly shaped gnome cookies.
• Control Moisture Levels: Avoid overmixing dough to prevent tough cookies; mix just until ingredients combine for tender, delicate texture.
• Decorating Pro Tip: Let royal icing completely dry between layers to create crisp, clean gnome facial features and prevent color bleeding.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg