Decorate a Christmas String Lights Cookie Platter
If you’re looking to create a show-stopping Christmas cookie platter, our string lights platter tutorial will guide you through each step to bring the magic of holiday lights to life—cookie-style! Perfect for cookie decorators or beginners eager to learn, this project involves decorating a series of cookies that, when arranged together, form a connected string of colorful Christmas lights. At the center of the platter, a special cookie with the message “Merry & Bright” ties the theme together, creating a festive display sure to impress. Grab the cutters for this set in our shop and get ready to light up your holiday gatherings with a unique, delicious centerpiece!
Christmas String Lights Platter Cookie Cutters
This messy Christmas string light cookie cutter platter set includes a christmas lights cutter, and a center circle cutter. You can purchase cookie cutters together as a set, or as a single cookie cutter without the center circle.
(This is the same circle cutter used in all my platter sets, like this Snowflake set, Spiral Platter, and Floral Wreath, etc.)
There are two sizes available. When arranged as a platter, as shown in the example picture, the platter measures:
LARGE- 12 inches in diameter.
SMALL- 9 inches in diameter.
For this tutorial, I'll be decorating the large size.
Templates for the Messy Christmas String Lights Cookie Platter
To help with the decorating process, I made a PDF template available for this season's Christmas collection, including this Christmas cookie platter set.
You can download these cookie templates HERE.
If you have a Kopykake or Pico projector, just print it out (or pull it up on your mobile device) and you are good to go. For those without a projector, follow the suggested steps below by tracing the design onto the cookie with an edible food marker.
The Decorating Process
For the colors used for these Christmas string light cookies, you will need the following suggested colors:
- Dark Green royal icing Americolor Forest Green and Americolor Leaf Green. with a touch of Americolor Super Black.)
- Sage Green icing (I mixed the Dark Green above with more white fresh icing.)
- Red icing (I used Americolor Tulip Red. with a touch of Wilton Rose. )
- Pink icing (I mixed the red above with more white fresh icing.)
- Blue icing (I used Americolor Turquoise.)
- Lime Green icing (I mixed Americolor Egg Yellow with Mint Green.)
Step 1
Start by flooding the entire string lights cookie with white icing. Let this cookie setup for about an hour.
Then begin filling in the different color light bulb areas, as shown.
Using the chart guide below, fill in the light bulbs in the colors and orientation shown below. This will insure the light bulbs follow a certain scatter pattern when fully assembled.
You will need to do each cookie twice to complete the platter.
Step 2
After the bulbs had time to set, add the lower socket detail with dark green icing. Let that icing set for about 15 minutes.
Finish this cookie by adding the wire detail, as shown. (I used a #2 tip for the proper thickness.)
Step 3
For the final, center message cookie, begin by flooding the entire cookie with dark green icing. Let this icing dry completely.
Then I used the Merry & Bright cookie stencil with super thick white icing. I used a Stencil Genie to hold the stencil in place while I swiped icing over the design.
Christmas String Lights Cookie Platter Video Tutorial
The steps above are summarized in this time-lapsed video I put together below.
Here's the final Christmas string lights cookie platter all assembled. To create this entire platter required 11 cookies-- 10 string lights cookies, and 1 center circle cookie.
This is the large, 12" version. For the tray it's on, I like to use the 12" pizza pans from Dollar Tree. They are cheap and sturdy for transporting around.
With your “Merry & Bright” Christmas lights platter complete, you’ve crafted a delightful holiday treat that’s sure to wow friends, family, and guests! This fun and festive project brings a unique twist to holiday cookie decorating, and each piece adds a touch of cheer to the season.
Ready to take your Christmas cookie game to the next level? Visit our shop for even more creative Christmas cookie cutters and design ideas to make your holiday baking extra special. From classic shapes to unique seasonal themes, we’ve got everything you need to create memorable Christmas cookies all season long!
For a more simplified version of a Christmas string lights cookie platter idea, here was my first attempt back in 2018. It uses limited colors and is very beginner-friendly.
