There’s something magical about December in Boise, the twinkling lights downtown, the snowy foothills, the smell of fireplaces drifting through neighborhoods, and of course… holiday baking. At Totally Boise, we love anything that brings our community together this time of year, and nothing does that quite like a warm batch of holiday sugar cookies.
Soft, buttery, perfectly sweet, and topped with frosting that’s basically joy in edible form, sugar cookies are a seasonal staple. This year, we’re giving the classic version a Boise-inspired twist by adding a hint of Idaho honey for natural sweetness and softness, plus an optional huckleberry frosting swirl to make them feel uniquely local.
These cookies are easy, fun, and perfect for decorating with friends, kids, coworkers, or anyone ready to embrace the holiday spirit.
The Best Boise Holiday Sugar Cookies
Soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and full of cozy sweetness, these cookies practically beg to be paired with hot cocoa or a mug of locally roasted coffee.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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2 tablespoons Idaho honey
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 cups powdered sugar
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1–2 tablespoons milk
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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Optional Boise twist: 1–2 tablespoons huckleberry jam for swirling
Instructions
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Cream the butter + sugar:
In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and honey until light and fluffy.
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Add wet ingredients:
Mix in the egg and vanilla.
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Add dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
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Chill:
Cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours (this helps them hold their shape).
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Roll + cut:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into your favorite holiday shapes, such as snowflakes, trees, or stars.
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Bake:
Place cookies on a parchment-lined tray and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges just barely begin to turn golden. Cool completely before frosting.
Boise Holiday Frosting, with Optional Huckleberry Swirl
This frosting is smooth, silky, and spreads like a dream. You can keep it classic vanilla, or add a huckleberry jam swirl that gives your cookies a uniquely Idaho pop of color and flavor.
Instructions
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Beat softened butter until creamy.
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Add powdered sugar ½ cup at a time.
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Add vanilla, salt, and milk until the desired consistency is reached.
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Optional: Fold in a spoonful of huckleberry jam for a purple holiday swirl Boise will be proud of.
Totally Boise Tips for Decorating Like a Local
Use Local Ingredients
Grab local butter, farm-fresh eggs, or Idaho honey from the Boise Farmers Market or the Boise Co-op for richer flavor and softer cookies.
Create an Idaho Cookie Set
Some festive ideas:
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Evergreen trees for the Boise Foothills
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Snowflakes for Bogus Basin days
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Hearts to represent Idaho’s warm winter community
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Purple huckleberry swirls for a vibrant local touch
Host a Holiday Cookie Night
Invite friends over, turn on some holiday music, and let everyone decorate their own Boise-inspired cookies. It’s simple, cozy, and guaranteed to make the season feel a little more magical.
Bake Local, Share Local, Start Your Holiday Sweet Season with Totally Boise
Whether you’re delivering treats to neighbors, baking with kids, or stocking up for a winter movie night, these Boise-inspired sugar cookies bring hometown charm to every bite.
For more local holiday ideas, festive recipes, and ways to support Treasure Valley businesses, keep following Totally Boise, your favorite local guide, all season long.