Close-up of basketball-shaped decorated sugar cookies with orange icing and thin black lines on a plate.
These Basketball Cookies are soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and so cute for game day.
They’re made with a sturdy cut-out dough that holds its shape, plus simple icing you can totally handle.
Bring these basketball cookies to a team party and everyone will ask for the recipe.
Basketball cookies are the kind of treat that gets attention before anyone even takes a bite.
The key is chilling the dough and cooling the cookies completely before decorating.
Don’t skip those two steps… they make the shapes sharp and the icing smooth.
Why You’ll Love This Basketball Cookies (Decorated Sugar Cookies)
- Ultimate game-day treat: Festive cookies that look bakery-made.
- Beginner-friendly decorating: Simple base icing + easy line work.
- Soft-bite texture: Tender centers with lightly crisp edges.
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake one day, decorate the next.
- Kid-approved fun: Great for little helpers and sprinkles.
Ingredients for Basketball Cookies (Decorated Sugar Cookies)
Image Prompt:
Sugar Cookies
- All-purpose flour (3 cups) – structure; 1:1 gluten-free baking blend works.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon) – gentle lift.
- Salt (3/4 teaspoon) – balances sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened) – rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup) – sweetness and texture.
- Egg (1) – binds the dough.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons) – classic bakery flavor.
Easy Icing
- Powdered sugar (3 cups) – smooth icing base.
- Milk (3–5 tablespoons) – thins to the right consistency.
- Corn syrup (1 tablespoon optional) – shine and better set.
- Orange gel coloring – bold basketball color.
- Black gel coloring or edible marker – for lines.
How to Make Basketball Cookies (Decorated Sugar Cookies)
Image Prompt:
- 1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter + sugar 2 minutes, then mix in egg + vanilla.
- 2. Mix in dry ingredients just until dough forms. Chill 30–60 minutes.
- 3. Roll to 1/4 inch, cut circles, bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes until edges set. Cool fully.
- 4. Whisk icing to a thick ribbon texture. Tint orange and dip or spread over cookies. Let set 30–60 minutes.
- 5. Pipe thin black lines in a basketball pattern (or draw with edible marker). Let dry before stacking.
Tips for Perfect Basketball Cookies (Decorated Sugar Cookies)
- Chill dough so circles stay round.
- Cool cookies completely before icing.
- Keep icing thicker for lines, thinner for dipping.
- Let icing dry fully before stacking.
Variations & Substitutions
- Chocolate cookies: Swap 1/3 cup flour for cocoa powder.
- Faster: Use candy melts for the orange base.
- Team colors: Switch icing colors to match your school.
- Mini cookies: Smaller cutter, bake 1–2 minutes less.
Make-Ahead & Freezing
Store airtight up to 5 days. Freeze baked undecorated cookies up to 2 months. Thaw, then decorate.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Add to a game-day dessert board.
- Serve with hot chocolate or coffee.
- Wrap individually for team party favors.
Recipe Card
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Reader Review: These were perfect for our team party. Everyone thought they were from a bakery!
If you make these basketball cookies, leave a rating and tell me how you’d decorate yours.