- Easy, impressive basketball cookies use a sturdy sugar cookie base that holds shape and is forgiving for beginner decorators.
- Versatile: customizable for dietary needs, flavored variations, and sized for parties, bake sales, or themed events.
- Make-ahead friendly: dough and undecorated cookies freeze well; decorated cookies store a few days for stress-free entertaining.
Last Updated on January 25, 2026 by Souhail
Basketball cookies have a funny way of making people smile before they even take a bite. The first time I made them was for a last-minute game night with friends here in New York. I had zero time to overthink it, a countertop full of cookie dough, and a sudden urge to make something playful instead of predictable. A little orange icing, a few quick lines of chocolate piping, and suddenly the dessert table had more energy than the fourth quarter.
These basketball cookies are one of those recipes that fit effortlessly into real life. They are perfect for birthday parties, team celebrations, school events, bake sales, or a cozy playoff watch party at home. The flavor is classic and comforting with buttery sugar cookie goodness, while the look is bold, fun, and instantly recognizable. The best part is that they look impressive without requiring professional decorating skills, which is always a win in my book.
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Why These Basketball Cookies Just Work So Well
Let me tell you why this recipe has become my go-to whenever sports season rolls around. It’s not just because they’re cute (although they seriously are), but because they consistently hit the sweet spot between easy and impressive. They come together with basic ingredients and a decorating process that even beginners can master.
- The sugar cookie base is sturdy enough for decorating but still soft and tender when you bite into it. If you want a classic, all-purpose dough you can rely on, check out this sugar cookie recipe I also love using for all kinds of themed cookies.
- The dough holds its shape beautifully, so your basketballs stay round and polished — no warping in the oven!
- Decorating is simple and forgiving, even if you’re new to icing. You don’t need fancy tools, just a little patience and creativity.
- Kids love helping with the piping, which makes this a fun family project or party activity.
- The cookies can be made ahead, saving you stress on event day — especially if you’re juggling other snacks or mains, like a savory cheese ball appetizer to balance all the sweetness.
Easy customization ideas
- Make them gluten-free using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Use vegan butter and a flax egg to make them dairy-free and egg-free
- Swap vanilla for orange extract to subtly match the basketball theme
- Add team colors by packaging them with matching ribbons or boxes
Let’s Bake Some Slam Dunk Basketball Cookies!
Basketball Cookies
24
servings25
minutes10
minutes180
kcalThese basketball cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies decorated with bright orange icing and piped lines to look just like real basketballs. They’re perfect for game day snacks, team parties, birthdays, or anytime you want to bring a little playful energy to dessert.
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Ingredients
226 grams unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
0.5 teaspoon baking powder
0.25 teaspoon salt
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Orange food coloring
Chocolate or black icing for piping (store-bought or homemade)
Directions
- Start by creaming the butter and sugar together until it’s light, fluffy, and pale in color — this usually takes about 2–3 minutes with a hand mixer. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels sticky, chill it for 15–30 minutes in the fridge.
- Roll the chilled dough out on a lightly floured surface or between sheets of parchment paper to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cutter (or even a glass) to cut out circles and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Don’t wait for them to brown — they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- To make the icing, mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth, then stir in orange food coloring. It should be thick enough to hold shape but thin enough to spread. Use a spoon or squeeze bottle to flood each cookie with orange icing, then let them dry completely (about 1–2 hours or longer if it’s humid).
- Once dry, use chocolate or black icing to pipe curved lines across the top to mimic a basketball’s design. Let them set before stacking or serving.
Notes
- Chill the dough before rolling to prevent sticking and spreading
- Gel food coloring gives a more vibrant orange than liquid
- Use parchment paper to make clean-up super easy
- Allow icing to dry completely before stacking or transporting
- If piping lines feels tricky, use a toothpick to sketch the design first
- Store cookies in a single layer if decorated, or stack with parchment paper between them
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 24
- Calories: 180kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
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Fun and Delicious Variants of Basketball Cookies
Once you get the basics down, there are so many fun directions you can take these cookies. Each variation brings a little twist to the table — and who doesn’t love options?
Chocolate Basketball Cookies
Swap out a quarter of the flour for cocoa powder. The deep chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with the orange icing and gives the cookies a dramatic look that pops on a tray.
Basketball Brownie Cookies
Use a fudgy brownie cookie base instead of sugar cookies. These turn out soft and chewy with a rich, chocolatey center — and they’re especially good if you love the texture of something like these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
Mini Basketball Cookies
Use a smaller cutter for bite-sized cookies. These are perfect for party platters, bake sales, or portion-controlled snacking during halftime.
Stuffed Basketball Cookies
Add a thin layer of chocolate hazelnut spread inside the dough for a surprise center that feels extra indulgent. Just be sure to seal the edges well so nothing leaks out.
Serving Suggestions That Make Them Party Ready
These basketball cookies were made to be shown off! I love serving them on a plain white platter so the orange color pops, or tucking them into clear treat bags tied with black ribbon for a themed party favor. You can also create a full dessert table with other goodies — they pair beautifully with soft fall treats like homemade pumpkin cookies for a seasonal twist.
For game days, mix them in with bowls of popcorn, fruit skewers, and fun drinks. For birthdays, stack them in a tower, or use them as edible place cards with guests’ names piped on top.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Here’s the good news: these cookies store like a dream.
- Undecorated cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temp for up to five days.
- Decorated cookies should be stored in a single layer, or separated with parchment paper, and are best enjoyed within three days for that perfect texture.
- You don’t need to reheat them, but if you prefer a softer bite, let them sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Pro tip: bake and freeze the undecorated cookies up to two months ahead and decorate when ready!
FAQs About Basketball Cookies
Yes! You can make the dough and keep it chilled for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before rolling.
A simple powdered sugar and milk glaze works perfectly, but royal icing holds up even longer if you need a firm set for packaging.
Use flood icing and tap the cookie gently after spreading — this helps the icing level out and gives you that pro finish.
It’s best to freeze the cookies before icing. Decorated cookies can freeze, but the icing might lose its detail after thawing.
It’s probably too thin. Add a little more powdered sugar to thicken it up. Test on parchment before applying.
Absolutely — just pick a roll-out sugar cookie dough. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll still get the job done for decorating.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and surprisingly easy recipe that brings smiles to every game night or party, basketball cookies are it. They’re playful, nostalgic, and just downright delicious. You don’t have to be a decorating pro to make them look great — you just need a little creativity and a steady-ish hand.
And if you loved these, you’ll definitely want to check out other themed bakes or seasonal treats like homemade pumpkin cookies or classic sugar cookie recipes that you can adapt for any occasion.
Happy baking — and may your cookies always be slam dunks