Happy Elf Cookies Recipe

Name: Happy Elf Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 Land O Lakes Egg; 2 tablespoons orange juice; 1 tablespoon vanilla; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 12 ounces vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark); Sanding sugars, coconut, decorator sparkle gels, decorator; candies such as (starlight mint candy, candy buttons, mini; pastel chips, red and green swirled chips,; jumbo confetti), as desired

Servings: persons

1 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 Land O Lakes Egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
12 ounces vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark)
Sanding sugars, coconut, decorator sparkle gels, decorator
candies such as (starlight mint candy, candy buttons, mini
pastel chips, red and green swirled chips,
jumbo confetti), as desired

1
Combine butter, sugar, egg, orange juice and vanilla in bowl.
2
Beat at medium speed, until creamy.
3
Add flour and baking powder.
4
Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
5
Divide dough into thirds.
6
Shape each third into a ball; flatten slightly.
7
Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours until firm.
8
Heat oven to 400F.
9
Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-third at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.
10
Cut with 3-inch round ornament cookie cutter.
11
Place 1-inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
12
Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges just begin to turn lightly browned.
13
Cool completely.
14
Place candy coating in deep 1-quart saucepan.
15
Cook over medium-low heat 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until melted.
16
Remove from heat.
17
Dip top one-third of a few cookies at a time into melted coating; shake off excess.
18
Place onto waxed paper.
19
Immediately, before coating hardens, decorate dipped portions to create hats.
20
Repeat with remaining cookies.
21
Decorate as desired using candies to create eyes, nose, cheeks and mouth.
22
Attach candies to cookies with a dab of melted candy coating.
23
Let stand 15 minutes to allow candy coating to harden.

1170

kcal

Calories

Fat

121

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 12 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened, 1 cup sugar, 1 Land O Lakes Egg, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and more.

Yes, Happy Elf Cookies falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Happy Elf Cookies

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions