These Christmas sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating! Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, making gifts, or enjoying a fun baking session with kids, this recipe is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Buttery – A melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s absolutely delicious.
- Perfect for Decorating – Holds its shape well for intricate designs.
- Simple Ingredients – Uses pantry staples you likely already have.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Dough can be prepared in advance for convenience.
- Kid-Friendly – A fun baking activity for the whole family.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- Pure vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Royal icing or buttercream for decorating
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough – In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
- Chill the Dough – Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll and Cut – Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into festive shapes using cookie cutters.
- Bake – Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Decorate – Let cookies cool completely before decorating with royal icing, buttercream, or sprinkles.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Variations
- Gluten-Free Version – Use a gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly treat.
- Almond Flavor – Add almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Spiced Sugar Cookies – Mix in cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm holiday flavor.
- Lemon Sugar Cookies – Add lemon zest for a fresh, citrusy note.
- Chocolate-Dipped – Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing Dough: Wrap dough tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze undecorated cookies in layers separated by parchment paper for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Not necessary, but if you prefer warm cookies, heat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
How do I keep sugar cookies from spreading?
Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain the shape of the cookies.
What’s the best icing for decorating?
Royal icing creates crisp designs, while buttercream is great for a softer texture.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
How do I get vibrant icing colors?
Use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring for bold, bright colors.
Can I substitute almond extract for vanilla?
Absolutely! It adds a delicious nutty flavor to the cookies.
How do I prevent cookies from becoming too hard?
Avoid overbaking, and store them in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep them soft.
What’s the best thickness for rolling out the dough?
Aim for about 1/4-inch thick to ensure even baking.
Can I decorate cookies with kids?
Yes! Let kids have fun with icing, sprinkles, and cookie cutters.
Do I need to refrigerate decorated cookies?
No, but if using perishable frosting like cream cheese icing, refrigerate them.
Conclusion
These Christmas sugar cookies are the perfect holiday treat, offering a delightful balance of flavor and fun. Whether you prefer simple sugar-dusted cookies or elaborately decorated masterpieces, this recipe ensures festive baking success. Enjoy making memories and indulging in these sweet, seasonal delights!
Print
The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Holiday
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
These classic Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating! Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or a fun baking night with the kids, these cookies hold their shape beautifully and taste absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds great flavor)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, green, and other holiday colors)
- Sprinkles for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this helps the cookies hold their shape).
- Roll & Cut the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters (trees, stars, snowflakes) to cut out shapes.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with Icing:
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk for thinner icing or more sugar for thicker icing.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and color with food coloring.
- Transfer icing to piping bags or use a spoon to decorate cooled cookies. Add sprinkles while the icing is still wet.
- Let icing set for at least 1 hour before stacking or serving.
Notes
- The dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If you prefer softer cookies, bake them for the shorter time. For crispier edges, bake a bit longer.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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