Dessert

Vanilla Spiced Cookies Recipe

ByNoah Steele February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Introduction

These vanilla spiced cookies are a delightful treat, combining warm spices with a rich vanilla aroma. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you want a cozy, homemade biscuit to enjoy with tea or coffee.

A close-up image shows a woman's hand with rings using a piping bag to outline a star-shaped cookie with white icing. The cookie is light brown with a slightly rough texture, placed on a beige surface. Nearby, other cookies can be seen, including a round cookie decorated with white and gold spherical decorations and one with white icing stripes. The background has a soft focus with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

200g unsalted butter
200g golden caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg

375g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon
75g royal icing sugar
Metallic sprinkles, to decorate

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan) or gas mark 5. Beat the butter, golden caster sugar, and vanilla extract together using an electric whisk or stand mixer until well combined.
Step 2: Add the egg and continue beating, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until fully incorporated.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the plain flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until no streaks of flour remain.

Step 4: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 6mm thickness. Cut out shapes for the house and other cookies. For the house, cut a 9 x 6cm door; create an arch on top with a large round cutter if desired. Make 4 x 4cm windows and a star about 5.5cm. For the wreath, cut a 4cm disc, then remove a 1.5cm disc from the center.
Step 5: Arrange the cookies on baking sheets, spacing them apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are golden. Smaller cookies may bake faster, so check them closely.
Step 6: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Mix the royal icing sugar with just enough water to form a thick icing. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle or snip the end of the bag. Decorate the cookies with icing and metallic sprinkles.
Step 8: Leave the decorated cookies to dry for a couple of hours before serving or sticking to a cake.

Tips & Variations

Use slightly less caster sugar if you prefer a less sweet cookie.

Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for extra depth of spice.
If you don’t have cutters for the shapes, use a knife to cut the dough into simple shapes like squares or rectangles.
For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and replace the egg with a flax egg.

Storage

Store the cooled, decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for up to two days. To refresh slightly after storage, warm gently in a low oven for a few minutes. Avoid refrigerating as this can make the cookies lose their crispness.

How to Serve

A single star-shaped cookie with a light brown, smooth surface sits on a white marbled texture, with a woman's hand decorating it using white icing from a piping bag. The cookie has a thick, slightly textured edge, while the white icing forms a neat outline along the star's edges. Around it, other cookies are visible, including a round cookie topped with small white and golden round decorations and a bit of yellow, and another round cookie with white icing lines across it. The scene shows close, detailed work on cookie decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the undecorated baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.

What can I use if I don’t have royal icing sugar?

If royal icing sugar is not available, you can make icing using powdered (confectioners’) sugar mixed with a small amount of water or lemon juice to reach a thick consistency.