Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe

I’m so excited to share this Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe because it’s one of those magical treats that just feel like a little celebration in your mouth. When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by the cozy spices in the cookie paired with the bright, fruity frosting—it’s a beautiful balance that your family and friends will absolutely adore. If you love sugar cookies but want an elevated twist with fresh berry flavor and festive sparkle, this is the recipe you’ve been waiting for.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe, I always recommend using fresh, quality ingredients to really let the flavors shine. The spices, jam, and freeze-dried berries all play a key role in building those layers of flavor you’re going to love.

• All Purpose Flour: Spoon and level it for precise measurement—this keeps your cookies tender and perfectly textured.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Both help your cookies rise just right, giving a delicate crumb.
• Ground Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: These spices are the heart of the cookie’s warm, festive flavor.
• Granulated White Sugar: Sweetness and structure for the cookie base.
• Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s very softened to cream easily with the sugar, which gives the cookies their fluffiness.
• Egg: Room temperature eggs blend better and keep the dough from breaking apart.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: I love using this over extract for a richer vanilla flavor and those tiny black specks add charm too!
• Orange Zest: Adds a bright citrus note that balances the spices perfectly.
• Sugar Plum Jam: For the jammy center—I prefer stonewall kitchen sugar plum jam because it’s a great balance of sweet and tart.
• Pink Sparkling Sugar: This adds sparkle and a fun crunch on the outside.
• Freeze-Dried Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries): These give the frosting a natural berry flavor and vibrant color without extra moisture.
• Powdered Sugar: The base for the frosting’s sweetness and texture.
• Heavy Cream: For making the frosting smooth, creamy, and pipeable.
• Pink Sprinkles: Because what’s a treat without some cute sprinkles on top?

Variations

I love that this Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe is super flexible and lets you get creative. Over time, I’ve tried a few fun tweaks that you might enjoy making your own.

• Spice Level: I’ve sometimes added a pinch of ground ginger for a little extra warmth, especially around the holidays—it gives a lovely zing.
• Jam Variations: If you can’t find sugar plum jam, try raspberry or cherry preserves—they work beautifully with the spices in the cookie.
• Frosting Choices: For a twist, swap the freeze-dried berries for lemon zest and blueberry powder for a citrusy-berry combo I tried and loved.
• Diet-Friendly Version: I’ve made a gluten-free batch using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with great results, just watch bake time carefully since those flours can vary.

How to Make Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Warm Spices with Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. This step is key because it evenly distributes all those beautiful spices into the cookie dough, so each bite is perfectly flavored. I like to set this aside while I work on the wet ingredients, so they don’t get mixed too early and lose their punch.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Light and Fluffy

In your large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed with an electric mixer. This usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get this step right—if your butter’s too cold or you don’t cream long enough, the texture can be dense. When you see it becoming pale and fluffy, you’re good to go.

Step 3: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Orange Zest

Mix in the egg, vanilla bean paste, and fresh orange zest on medium speed until the batter is pale and fluffy again, about another 1-2 minutes. It’s in these few moments that your dough really builds flavor and airiness. If your egg is cold, warm it quickly by placing it in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes before adding.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredient mix into your butter mixture, blending on low speed. Mix just until everything is combined — overmixing here can make your cookies tough. The dough will be soft but firm enough to scoop.

Step 5: Scoop, Fill, and Shape Your Cookie Bites

Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out your dough. Flatten each scoop into a little disc, add about 1/2 teaspoon of cold sugar plum jam in the center, then carefully fold the dough over the jam like an envelope. Pinch and roll it gently into a ball to seal the jam in. This step was tricky the first time I made these—I learned that warming your hands slightly helps smooth out the dough without squishing the jam all over. Then, roll each ball into the pink sparkling sugar for that extra shimmer and crunch.

Step 6: Bake Those Gorgeous Cookie Bites

Place your cookie balls at least 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets, and gently flatten each one into a circle without squeezing the jam out. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 9-10 minutes until just set at the edges but still soft in the center. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes first—they firm up nicely before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Berry Plum Buttercream Frosting

While the cookies cool, it’s frosting time! Blitz your freeze-dried berries in a food processor until finely powdered, then sift to remove seeds—you want a smooth, vibrant berry powder that packs flavor. Beat your softened butter and salt for 3-4 minutes until fluffy, then add plum jam and berry powder, mixing them in well. Next, add powdered sugar and cream, starting on low speed to combine and then on high speed until the frosting is light, fluffy, and pipeable. I always taste a little here to make sure the balance of berry and jam is just right.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Fill a piping bag fitted with your favorite decorative tip (I use a Wilton 2D) with the frosting. Once your cookies have cooled, pipe a generous swirl or dollop onto each one. Sprinkle a few pink sprinkles on top for that final festive touch. These little bites look utterly charming and taste like a dream—so don’t be shy with the frosting!

How to Serve Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookie bites with a few extra freeze-dried berries or edible flower petals when serving at gatherings—that fresh color pops beautifully next to the pink frosting. Sometimes, a little extra sparkle with colored sugar or extra sprinkles just feels right for the holidays or parties.

Side Dishes

These cookie bites stand perfectly on their own, but I like pairing them with a warm cup of spiced tea or a glass of chilled milk to balance the sweet and fruity layers. For festive seasons, they go great alongside mulled wine or a cozy hot cocoa bar.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation tricks is arranging these Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe on a pretty tiered tray with fresh berries and citrus slices scattered around for a holiday party. I’ve also packaged them in little cellophane bags tied with twine as charming homemade gifts—everyone goes crazy for that festive look!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookie bites in an airtight container in the fridge because of the buttercream frosting. They keep beautifully for up to 5 days. When you take them out, just let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving so the frosting softens back up.

Freezing

Freezing fully frosted cookie bites works well if you wrap them carefully in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. I recommend freezing them un-frosted if you want the frosting as fresh as possible—just frost right before serving. Frozen cookies thaw best overnight in the fridge and taste just as delicious as fresh!

Reheating

Since these are soft cookies with buttercream, I avoid reheating in the oven. Instead, I let refrigerated or frozen cookies come to room temperature naturally to maintain that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Sugar Plum Cookie Bites with Berry Frosting Recipe is one I keep coming back to whenever I crave something a little special but totally comforting. I love how the warm spices and sweet jam center play off the fresh berry frosting—it’s a delightful combo that makes every bite feel like a little celebration. Honestly, once you try these, they’ll become a favorite for holiday baking or any time you want to indulge a bit. Try making them for your next get-together—you’ll be so proud, and your guests will be asking for the recipe, trust me!

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