Decorated Football Sugar Cookies

Super bowl sunday is all about the excitement of the game, good food, and fun with friends and family.

And what better way to add to the celebration than with homemade football-shaped sugar cookies?

These decorated treats, topped with smooth royal icing, are a delicious way to show your team spirit.

You don’t need fancy tools to make these cookies; a little creativity and some simple kitchen tricks are all you need to turn regular sugar cookies into a touchdown!

Perfect for parties, gift-giving, or just indulging in a little game day fun, these cookies are sure to score big with everyone.

Decorated Football Sugar Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

For The Sugar Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free option)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (substitute with vegan butter for a dairy-free option)

1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg (substitute with a flax egg for vegan)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For The Royal Icing

1 egg white (substitute with meringue powder for a vegan option)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar (for stabilizing the icing)

For Decoration

Food coloring
Coarse sugar for texture (yellow for the field, etc.)
Rainbow nonpareils (optional, but fun for adding extra color)

Instructions

Prepare The Dough

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, and mix until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until the dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour to firm it up.

Shape And Bake The Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a football-shaped template or draw freehand on cardboard to cut out your cookies. If you don’t have cookie cutters, simply trace around the template with a sharp knife.
Arrange the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make The Royal Icing

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg white (or meringue powder) and powdered sugar. Add the lemon juice or vinegar and beat until the mixture is smooth and holds stiff peaks.
Divide the icing into bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each. You can use green for the football field, white for the lines, and any color you want for jerseys or decorations.

Decorate

Once the cookies are cool, use a piping bag or a plastic squeeze bottle to outline and flood the cookies with royal icing. Add texture to the field by sprinkling yellow sanding sugar or create fun stadium effects with rainbow nonpareils.

Let the icing dry completely before serving or packaging up for gifts.

Easy Tips For Success

Making sugar cookies can be a fun and rewarding activity. Here are a few tips to ensure your cookies come out perfectly every time:

Chill Your Dough: After mixing your dough, let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to roll out and helps your cookies keep their shape while baking.

Use a Light Touch with Flour: Don’t over-flour your rolling surface or cookie cutters. Just enough to prevent sticking will do. Too much flour can make the dough dry and tough.
Don’t Overbake: Sugar cookies should be just barely golden around the edges. If they are left in too long, they can turn crispy instead of soft and chewy.
Perfect Thickness: Roll your dough to an even thickness, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. This ensures your cookies bake evenly.

How To Store Football Sugar Cookies?

Storing your sugar cookies the right way will help them stay fresh longer. Here’s what you should do:

Room Temperature: If you plan to eat them within a few days, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days.
Freezing: To store sugar cookies for longer, freeze them. Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Iced Cookies: If you’ve decorated your cookies with royal icing, let them dry completely before storing. The icing can be a bit delicate, so you may want to layer your cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a container.

How Many Days In Advance Can You Bake Sugar Cookies?

You can bake sugar cookies up to 3 days in advance if you plan to store them at room temperature.

If you’re preparing for a special occasion like the Super Bowl or a holiday, baking them early can save you time and stress. For longer storage:

Freezing: Bake and freeze your cookies up to 3 months ahead of time. Just be sure to let them cool completely before wrapping and freezing.
Decorating: If you plan to decorate your cookies, you can bake them a day or two in advance to allow ample time for icing to dry.

Why Are My Football Sugar Cookies Sticking?

Sticking sugar cookie dough can be a common frustration, but don’t worry! Here are some reasons why it might happen and how to fix it:

Dough Too Warm: If your dough is too soft and warm, it can stick to your rolling pin and surfaces. Make sure to chill it before rolling it out.
Too Much Flour: Sometimes, the dough may stick if there is not enough flour on the work surface or rolling pin. Use just enough flour to prevent it from sticking without overdoing it.
Sticky Dough: If your dough is too sticky to work with, add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s easier to handle.

How Long Do Decorated Sugar Cookies Last In Heat-Sealed Bags?

Heat-sealed bags are a great way to keep your decorated sugar cookies fresh. They can stay good for quite a while when stored properly:

Up to 2 Weeks: Decorated sugar cookies, when placed in heat-sealed bags, can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. The airtight seal helps keep out moisture and air, which can make the cookies stale.
Room Temperature: Store your heat-sealed cookies in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Avoid places with humidity or direct sunlight, as this could affect the quality of the icing.

Longer Storage: If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the heat-sealed bags. Cookies can last up to 3 months in the freezer, and once thawed, they’ll still be delicious!

How To Decorate Football Sugar Cookies?

Decorating your sugar cookies to look like footballs is easier than you might think! Here’s how you can do it:

Royal Icing: Use royal icing to outline and flood the cookies with different colors. For footballs, you’ll need brown for the base, and white for the laces and stitching.

Piping: If you want to add details like stitching, use a piping bag with a small round tip. Pipe the stitching design along the length of the football.
Other Decorations: You can also use edible markers to add logos or other fun details like a team name or number. Or, simply use sprinkles in your team’s colors for an extra pop of fun!

How To Make Football-Shaped Sugar Cookies Without Special Cutters?

No need for expensive football-shaped cookie cutters! Here’s how you can shape your cookies without one:

Freehand Cutting: Roll out the dough and use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut out the football shape by hand. You can even trace the shape onto parchment paper and cut it out.
Oval Cutter: If you have an oval-shaped cookie cutter, it works perfectly for creating the shape of a football! You can just trim the ends a little to get that football look.
Use a Template: Print out a football template, cut it out, and use it as a guide for cutting your cookies.

Can I Use Store-Bought Cookie Dough For Football Sugar Cookies?

If you’re short on time or prefer a quicker option, store-bought dough is a fine choice. Here’s what you should know:

Quality: Store-bought cookie dough can be just as delicious, but it may not spread as evenly or hold its shape quite like homemade dough.
Customize: You can still cut it into football shapes, but the texture may be slightly different. Consider adding a little extra flour or vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

How Do I Prevent My Royal Icing From Cracking?

Royal icing can crack as it dries, especially if it’s too thick or if the cookies are stored improperly. Here’s how to avoid cracking:

Thin Icing: Make sure your royal icing is the right consistency. It should flow smoothly when piped, but not be too runny. You can test it by drawing a line with a spoon and seeing how long it takes to settle.
Drying Time: Allow your icing to dry slowly. Don’t stack your cookies until the icing has fully hardened, which can take several hours or even overnight.

Storage: Once the icing is set, store your cookies in an airtight container to protect the delicate decorations.

Can I Customize The Flavor Of Sugar Cookies?

If you want to make your sugar cookies even more special, you can easily customize the flavor. Try these ideas:

Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add some lemon zest or lemon extract to your dough for a fresh twist.

Almond Sugar Cookies: Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a richer, nutty flavor.
Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced version that’s perfect for colder months.

How Can I Make Football Sugar Cookies More Kid-Friendly?

If you’re making these cookies with kids, here are a few ideas to make them even more fun:

Easy Decorations: Let kids use colored sprinkles or candy eyes to decorate their football cookies.
Cookie Stamps: Use cookie stamps to create fun patterns or football shapes on the dough before baking.
Small Portions: Instead of big football-shaped cookies, make mini cookies that are easier for kids to handle and decorate.