Nothing screams “game day” quite like a tray of homemade football sugar cookies at your Super Bowl party. I’ve been making these every year since my son’s first football season—they’re the perfect mix of simple, adorable, and downright delicious. Whether you’re hosting die-hard fans or just want a festive treat, these cookies always disappear before halftime in my house. The best part? Even if your team loses (looking at you, 2019 Saints fans), everyone wins with buttery sugar cookies shaped like mini footballs. My secret? Keeping the icing bright white like fresh turf and the laces perfectly crooked like they’re ready for that last-second field goal attempt.
Why You’ll Love These Football Sugar Cookies for Super Bowl Party
Listen, I’ve made my fair share of game day treats, but these football sugar cookies? They’re always the MVP of my Super Bowl spread. Here’s why they’ll be a touchdown at your party too:
- So easy even a rookie could make them – No fancy techniques here, just good old-fashioned cookie dough that comes together in minutes. I’ve had my 8-year-old nephew help me roll and cut these (though his footballs sometimes look more like blobs – we call those “fumble cookies”).
- Customizable for any team – Use food coloring to tint the icing your team’s colors, or go classic white like I do. Last year, my brother-in-law insisted on making half the cookies in Eagles green – they still tasted amazing even if his team lost!
- That perfect sugar cookie taste – Buttery, slightly crisp edges with a soft center. I’ve had guests sneak back to the kitchen for “just one more” all game long.
- Instant party mood – There’s something about those little football shapes that gets everyone cheering before kickoff. I always arrange them on a green platter with yard lines drawn in icing – total crowd pleaser!
Trust me, once you see how fast these disappear at your first party, they’ll become your annual tradition too. My husband still talks about the year I forgot to make them – never again!
Ingredients for Football Sugar Cookies for Super Bowl Party
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and I mean the real deal, none of that “pinch of this” or “some of that” business. After years of making these for rowdy Super Bowl parties, I’ve learned exactly what works (and what leaves you with cookie pucks instead of pigskins). Everything’s divided into two simple groups: the cookie base and the decoration. Pro tip: Set everything out on the counter before you start – cold butter is the enemy of perfect cookie dough!
For the Cookies
This is where the magic starts. My grandma’s sugar cookie recipe forms the base, with a few tweaks I’ve made over the years to get that perfect texture – crisp enough to hold its shape but still tender when you bite in.
- 1 cup unsalted butter – softened (leave it out for 30 minutes, or microwave for 10 seconds if you’re impatient like me)
- 1 cup granulated sugar – packed lightly (none of that fluffy scooping – we want dense sweetness)
- 1 large egg – straight from the fridge is fine, it’ll warm up while mixing
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – the real stuff, please! Imitation vanilla makes the cookies taste like plastic
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, not scooped (this matters more than you’d think)
- ½ tsp baking powder – just enough lift without puffing up our footballs
- ¼ tsp salt – balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop
For the Decoration
Now for the fun part – turning these into actual footballs! The decoration is simple but makes all the difference. I’ve tried fancy piping techniques over the years, but this easy method always gets the most compliments.
- 1 cup powdered sugar – sifted if you’re fancy, but a quick whisk works too
- 2 tbsp milk – whole milk gives the richest color, but any kind works
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract – just a hint to complement the cookie
- Black gel icing – not the liquid kind! Gel holds its shape for perfect laces
Quick substitution note: If you’re out of milk, use heavy cream or even orange juice (it adds a nice citrusy zing that cuts the sweetness). And if you’re feeling extra festive, add a drop of food coloring to match your team’s colors – just keep it light so the laces still show up!
Equipment Needed
Alright, let’s gather our gear! You don’t need anything fancy for these football sugar cookies – just the basics that probably already live in your kitchen. Here’s what I grab every year when it’s game day baking time:
- Mixing bowl – My trusty old stainless steel one with the rubber bottom (no sliding disasters mid-creaming!)
- Football-shaped cookie cutter – The $2 plastic one from the craft store has served me well for 5 seasons now
- Baking sheets – Two is ideal unless you want to be baking all afternoon
- Rolling pin – I use my grandma’s wooden one, but even a wine bottle works in a pinch
- Wire racks – Crucial for cooling unless you like soggy-bottomed footballs
- Small offset spatula – Makes icing those cookies a breeze, but a butter knife works too
That’s it! No stand mixer required (though it does save your arm muscles). The only specialty item is the football cutter, and trust me – it’s worth digging through the holiday cookie cutter bin at the store to find one. Your guests will instantly know what they’re biting into!
How to Make Football Sugar Cookies for Super Bowl Party
Alright, let’s get down to business! I’ve made these football sugar cookies enough times to know all the little tricks that turn good cookies into game-day showstoppers. Follow these steps exactly (okay, mostly exactly – I won’t tell if you sneak a bite of dough), and you’ll have a plateful of edible footballs ready before the pre-game show starts!
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First things first – preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, let’s make that magical dough. Here’s how I do it:
Grab your softened butter and sugar – I just dump them straight into the bowl and get to work with my hand mixer (or a sturdy wooden spoon if I’m feeling nostalgic). Beat them together until they’re light and fluffy – about 2-3 minutes. Don’t rush this part! This creaming step is what gives our cookies that perfect texture.
Now crack in that egg and splash of vanilla, mixing just until combined. In goes the flour mixture – I add it in three batches so I don’t end up in a white dust storm. The dough should come together into a soft, slightly sticky ball that holds its shape when pinched. Too sticky? Add a tablespoon more flour. Too crumbly? A teaspoon of milk will fix it right up.
Watch out for: Overmixing! Once you add the flour, mix just until the dough forms. Those gluten strands can turn your tender footballs into tough little leather balls if you’re not careful.
Step 2: Cut and Bake
Time to shape our footballs! Lightly flour your counter and rolling pin (I use about 2 tablespoons of flour total for dusting). Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness – any thinner and they’ll crisp up too much, any thicker and they won’t cook through evenly.
Press that football cutter straight down – no twisting! Twisting seals the edges and keeps them from rising properly. I can fit about 12 footballs on a standard baking sheet, leaving an inch between each one. Slide them into the oven for 8-10 minutes – you want just a hint of golden on the edges.
Pro tip: Bake one test cookie first to check timing. Every oven is different, and mine runs hot – my perfect bake time is exactly 9 minutes. Let them cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 3: Decorate Like a Pro
The best part – making these cookies look like real footballs! While they cool completely (important!), whisk together your icing until it’s smooth and just thick enough to drizzle off the spoon in ribbons.
I use a small offset spatula to spread icing on each cookie, leaving a tiny border around the edges. Let them sit for 5 minutes to set slightly before adding the laces. The black gel icing is key here – squeeze bottles or piping bags work, but I just use the tube it comes in with the tip cut super small.
Five quick lines make perfect laces: one long vertical down the center, then four short horizontals crossing it. Don’t stress about perfection – my laces always look a little wonky, and people love the homemade charm!
Decorating hack: If your icing runs or smears, pop the cookies in the fridge for 10 minutes before adding laces. Works every time!
Tips for Perfect Football Sugar Cookies
Alright, let me let you in on all the little tricks I’ve picked up over the years to make sure these football sugar cookies turn out just right every time. Because let’s be real – nothing ruins game day faster than sad, misshapen cookies (well, maybe your team fumbling on the 1-yard line, but that’s another story).
- Chill the dough when it’s being stubborn – If your dough gets too sticky while rolling, wrap it in plastic and pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. I usually do this between batches – cold dough holds those football shapes like a pro!
- Parchment paper is your MVP – Skip the greased pans and just use parchment. Your cookies won’t stick, and cleanup is a breeze between batches. Trust me, after making 5 dozen of these one Super Bowl Sunday, I learned this the hard way.
- Patience with cooling pays off – I know it’s tempting to ice them right away, but wait until they’re completely cool. That 15 minutes makes all the difference between perfect footballs and icing puddles. Use this time to refill your snack bowl!
- Flour that rolling pin often – A light dusting every few rolls keeps the dough from sticking. Too much flour makes tough cookies though – think snow flurries, not a blizzard.
- Rotate your baking sheets – Ovens have hot spots! Halfway through baking, I spin my sheets 180 degrees for even browning. Your footballs will be golden all over, not just on one side.
There you have it – my play-by-play for perfect football cookies. Follow these and you’ll be the MVP of dessert at your Super Bowl party. Just don’t blame me when everyone asks for your “secret recipe” all season long!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Let’s talk game-day prep strategy! These football sugar cookies can totally be made ahead – meaning less stress when your guests arrive. Here’s my foolproof storage system that keeps them tasting fresh:
Once completely cooled and decorated, stack them in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll stay perfect at room temperature for up to 3 days. Bonus: The icing actually helps keep them moist!
Need to prep even earlier? The dough freezes like a champ. I roll it into logs (football-shaped if I’m feeling fancy), wrap tightly in plastic, then foil. Frozen dough keeps for 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and cutting. Pro tip: Write “GAME DAY COOKIES” on the foil unless you want confused family members nibbling on your secret stash!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s tackle the numbers – because even on game day, some of us like to know what we’re biting into! Each of these football sugar cookies comes in at about 150 calories (give or take, depending on how generous you are with that icing). Here’s the full breakdown per cookie:
- 150 calories – Perfect for grabbing between quarters
- 6g fat (4g saturated) – Thank that glorious butter!
- 22g carbs – Football fuel at its finest
- 12g sugar – Sweet enough to celebrate a touchdown
- 2g protein – Not why we’re here, but hey, it’s something
Quick disclaimer: These numbers can vary based on your exact ingredients and how thick you spread that icing (no judgment if you go heavy – I always do!). Different brands of flour, butter, and sugar might change things slightly. But let’s be real – when it’s Super Bowl Sunday, we’re all playing by snack-time rules!
FAQ About Football Sugar Cookies for Super Bowl Party
Okay, let’s tackle those burning questions I always get about these football sugar cookies! After years of making them (and fielding texts from panicked friends mid-baking), I’ve heard it all. Here are the answers to the most common game-day cookie dilemmas:
Can I use store-bought dough instead of making it from scratch?
Listen, I won’t judge! The pre-made sugar cookie dough from the refrigerated section works in a pinch. Just roll it slightly thicker than the package suggests – about 1/3 inch – since it tends to spread more. The flavor won’t be quite as rich as homemade, but they’ll still disappear at your party!
Help! My icing is too runny – how do I fix it?
Been there! If your icing looks more like milk than frosting, whisk in powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time until it thickens. If it’s already on the cookies, pop them in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up before adding laces. Pro tip: Next time, add the milk slowly – you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend (I like King Arthur’s). The texture might be slightly more delicate, so handle the dough gently. And let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them – gluten-free versions tend to be more fragile when warm.
How far in advance can I decorate these?
The decorated cookies keep beautifully for 3 days in an airtight container at room temp. If you need to prep earlier, bake and freeze the undecorated cookies for up to a month – just thaw and ice them the day before your party. The icing actually helps keep them fresh!
Any tips for piping perfect football laces?
Don’t stress about perfection! My laces always look a little wonky, and people love the homemade charm. But if you want them neater, try this: Pipe the long center line first, then add the short cross lines starting from the middle and working outward. If you mess up, just scrape off the icing with a toothpick and try again!
More Super Bowl Party Recipes to Try
Okay, let’s be real – no one survives game day on cookies alone (though my husband has certainly tried). Here are my go-to recipes that pair perfectly with these football sugar cookies to create the ultimate Super Bowl spread:
- Buffalo Chicken Dip – My crowd goes wild for this spicy, cheesy goodness. Pro tip: Make a double batch – it disappears faster than a Hail Mary pass!
- Mini Sliders – Little burgers mean less mess during tense game moments. I do half beef, half pulled pork for variety.
- Loaded Nachos – Because what’s football without mountains of melty cheese and all the toppings?
- Pigskins (aka Potato Skins) – Crispy, cheesy, and the perfect vessel for sour cream and bacon. Get it? Pigskins?
These recipes have been field-tested at my Super Bowl parties for years. They’re all easy to make ahead so you can actually enjoy the game instead of being stuck in the kitchen. Now go forth and feed your hungry fans – just save room for those football cookies at halftime!
Football Sugar Cookies for Super Bowl Party
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually mix into butter mixture.
- Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into football shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on wire racks.
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make icing. Spread over cooled cookies.
- Use black gel icing to draw football laces on each cookie.