Chiefs Arrowhead Sugar Cookies

These Kansas City Chiefs arrowhead sugar cookies have a delicate lemon flavor and are topped with an easy lemon royal icing.  

Ok Chiefs fans, this one is for you!

The other day a friend sent me a picture of some amazing sugar cookies that were in the shape of arrowheads but they were made using Christmas tree cookie cutters.

Genius!

I have a phenomenal sugar cookie recipe I’ve been wanting to share and I knew it would be the perfect base for these cookies.

This particular sugar cookie recipe was adapted from my Holiday Vanilla Sugar Cookies and it is easily my favorite yet.

It is a delicate, soft, lemon sugar cookie that melts in your mouth. If you don’t like lemon then just use the vanilla sugar cookie recipe in the link above.

It took several tries but I eventually figured out how to get authentic looking arrowhead cookies without an arrowhead cookie cutter.

Jump to:

• Choosing the right Christmas tree cookie cutter to make arrowhead cookies
• Make your own arrowhead template
• Make the sugar cookie dough
• Roll out the dough
• Cut out the “arrowheads”
• Shape the Christmas Tree into an arrowhead
• Bake
• Decorate
• How to make easy faux royal icing [without meringue powder or egg whites]
• Is it safe to eat room temperature icing that has milk in it?
• How to decorate Chiefs arrowhead sugar cookies
• The steps to decorate a homemade Chiefs arrowhead sugar cookie
• Frequently asked questions
• Chiefs Arrowhead Sugar Cookie Recipe

Choosing the right Christmas tree cookie cutter to make arrowhead cookies

If you have a skinny, elongated Christmas Tree cookie cutter, then I recommend using that one.

The first one I used was a bit on the squatty side and didn’t result in a great finished product. Remember, the cookies will spread some as they bake.

Make your own arrowhead template

If you don’t have your own Christmas tree cookie cutter then you can also make your own by printing out an arrowhead template online and then cutting it out.

Or just free hand it.

Make the sugar cookie dough

The dough itself comes together in a snap.

First, make the sugar cookie dough by creaming together the softened butter and sugar in a medium bowl with a handheld mixer.Add the egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice and continue mixing until light and fluffy.

Then add the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until just combined.

The dough will be sticky and soft.

Roll out the dough

This recipe uses powdered sugar to roll out the dough, instead of flour. Sprinkle a few tbsp of powdered sugar on a clean working surface.

Scrape the sugar cookie dough out onto the sugared work surface and top with another tbsp of powdered sugar. Note: the dough will be very sticky.

Next, pat out and shape the dough into a large rectangle with your hands, adding powdered sugar as needed to prevent sticking.

Sprinkle another 1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar on top and spread evenly.

Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick with a rolling pin (lightly dust the rolling pin with powdered sugar if it seems to be sticking).

Cut out the “arrowheads”

Now for the fun part!

Use a Christmas Tree cookie cutter to cut out the “arrowheads”.

Keep the access dough as you will need it to create a more authentic looking arrowhead base.

Shape the Christmas Tree into an arrowhead

So now we need to turn our Christmas Tree into an arrowhead. To do this we need to cut off the tree trunk and replace it with a more authentic looking base.

Re-roll the scrapes of sugar cookie dough into a rectangle that is 1/4 inch thick and then cut the rectangle into one inch strips (a little bigger or a little smaller depending on the size of your arrowhead). Then you simply cut each strip into little trapezoids.

…and add it to the bottom of the arrowhead (or is it a Christmas tree?). Gently press along the seam.

Transfer the arrowheads to a light greased cookie sheet (or parchment paper lined cookie sheet). Don’t worry about brushing off the excessive powdered sugar as it will bake into the cookie.

Bake

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. Don’t over bake! The arrowhead sugar cookies will appear slightly doughy when you take them out of the oven. Just let them sit on the hot cookie sheet to finish baking for about 10 minutes before transferring to another surface to finish cooling.

Meanwhile, as the cookies are cooling, begin working on the icing.

Decorate

You will need 3 different colors of icing: red, white, and black.

When making the icing it is important to remember that the ingredients may not be exact. Start with a little and then add a bit at a time until you are at the desired consistency.

I wanted to stay away from royal icing as not everyone is comfortable working with egg whites or meringue powder.

So I started experimenting with an alternative and come up with this one.

How to make easy faux royal icing [without meringue powder or egg whites]

In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and milk. Stir until the milk has been absorbed. Next, add the corn syrup. Continue stirring until a paste forms.

Then add the vanilla and lemon juice and continue stirring until smooth.

Repeat this step for the red and black faux royal icing with the addition of gel food color. You may want the white and black icings to have a looser consistency so that it is easy to pipe around the edge or flood the middle of the cookie. If the icing is too thick you can add a little extra milk or corn syrup. Caution: a little goes a long way so only add one single drop at a time. If it is too thin then add additional powdered sugar. I have accounted for this in the recipe so just follow the recipe card and adjust as needed.

Is it safe to eat room temperature icing that has milk in it?

Don’t let the addition of milk in the recipe scare you away. When milk and sugar are combined a chemical reaction occurs that prevents the milk from spoiling at room temperature. If you’re concerned about this then just store the cookies in the refrigerator.

How to decorate Chiefs arrowhead sugar cookies

Now, time to decorate! Add each color icing to it’s own piping bag or piping bottle.  My world changed when I discovered piping bottles!

Next, grab a picture of the Chiefs logo and start piping. 

This may take a little practice, so I recommend piping onto a sheet of wax paper before you attempt it on the cookie. If the letters run, then the icing is too thin and you may need to add some additional powdered sugar. I found it helpful to make a template of the Chiefs logo out of wax paper and used an edible marker to transfer the logo to the cookie.

The steps to decorate a homemade Chiefs arrowhead sugar cookie

This is how I made my Chiefs cookies look like the authentic chiefs logo (see below for pictures and steps):

1. Draw the “KC” letter design on paper or waxed paper (or look up the logo online and print) and cut it out. Make sure the letters fit the size of your cookie.
2. Cut out the “KC” letters.
3. Place the “KC” letter template on your sugar cookie and transfer the design onto the sugar cookie by outlining it with an edible marker (available in most craft/specialty store).
4. Outline the “KC” in black icing.
5. Outline the arrowhead in black icing.
6. Fill in the “KC” with red icing.
7. Flood the rest of the cookie with white icing.

No making fun of my piping skills! I am definitely a novice and will need to continue to hone my skills!

If you don’t have time to pipe the authentic logo then just pipe the “KC” using simple lettering and outline the arrowhead.  Still super cute!

Frequently asked questions

GO CHIEFS!!!