There's something so cozy and festive about filling your kitchen with the sweet aroma of freshly baked treats. This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly that kind of joy—classic, simple, and perfect for creating holiday memories you can taste and share.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I always come back to this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe because it hits that sweet spot between easy and charming. It’s the kind of cookie that invites you to get creative with shapes and decorations, making it a joyful activity for the whole family during the holidays.
- Time-tested flavor: The soft buttery taste with just the right hint of vanilla makes these cookies a crowd-pleaser.
- Simple to make: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip them up even on busy days.
- Perfect for decorating: The dough rolls out smooth and holds its shape beautifully, so your holiday designs come out crisp.
- Versatile and fun: Customize with your favorite cookie cutters and icing colors to match any festive theme.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a vital role in making these Christmas sugar cookies both tender and sturdy enough for decorating. Choosing quality ingredients and measuring carefully really does make a difference.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness—you'll get a clean, creamy base flavor that isn't overpowering.
- Granulated sugar: It sweetens the cookies while helping them get that light crumb structure we all love.
- Egg: It binds everything together and adds moisture so the cookies stay soft.
- Vanilla extract: This little splash adds warmth and depth that makes the flavor really pop.
- All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level the flour into your measuring cup to avoid packing it, which can make cookies dense.
- Baking powder: Gives the cookies a gentle rise and keeps them from being flat, using aluminum-free ensures no metallic aftertaste.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavor beautifully.
Make It Your Way
I love switching things up a bit depending on the vibe in the kitchen. Sometimes I keep it classic, other times I sneak in some almond extract for a subtle twist—feel free to make it your own and discover what you love most!
- Variation: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract totally changed the game for me—adds a nutty, fragrant layer that’s unexpected but delightful.
- Dietary swap: For a dairy-free version, try using vegan butter—you just might not even notice the difference.
- Spices optional: Cinnamon or nutmeg can be stirred in for a warmer cookie, perfect for those extra chilly December afternoons.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepping the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Trust me, this little step is crucial—it makes sure every bite is evenly flavored and your cookies turn out just right. Set this aside and get ready for some mixing fun.
Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s nice and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes with a stand mixer. The fluffiness means air is incorporated, which helps make your cookies light. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined so it stays silky smooth.
Step 3: Bringing It All Together
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, about a third at a time, mixing on low speed. This keeps the flour from puffing up in a cloud and lets you easily tell when your dough is perfectly combined—soft but no longer sticky.
Step 4: Rolling and Cutting Shapes
Divide your dough into two equal parts. Lightly flour your surface and a rolling pin, then roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. This is the sweet spot for cookies that hold their shape but stay tender. Grab your favorite cookie cutters and have fun creating shapes that feel festive.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats and arrange your cut cookies with a bit of space between. Bake at 350˚F for roughly 10 minutes—watch closely towards the end, as you want the edges just beginning to turn golden, not brown. Letting them cool on the sheet briefly before moving them avoids breakage.
Step 6: Decorating Fun
Once cooled completely, it’s time for the fun part—icing and decorating! Whether you keep it simple or go full artist mode with royal icing and sprinkles, these cookies shine best when finished with care.
Top Tip
From my many cookie-making sessions, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe foolproof and more enjoyable in the kitchen.
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is soft but not melting, so it creams well without turning greasy.
- Chill Your Dough: If your kitchen is warm, pop the rolled-out dough in the fridge for 15 minutes before cutting for cleaner edges.
- Don't Overbake: Watch the cookies closely after the 8-minute mark to catch that perfect light golden edge.
- Use Parchment or Silicone Mats: This prevents sticking and helps with even baking—makes clean-up a breeze, too.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I adore decorating mine with easy royal icing tinted in vibrant reds, greens, and whites. Sprinkles and edible glitter add that magical sparkle kids (and big kids!) can't get enough of. For a subtle charm, a dusting of powdered sugar also works wonders.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cozy cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider. They also pair delightfully with a mild cheese platter if you're hosting a festive cookie exchange or party.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a festive ribbon for gifting. Or arrange them on a decorative holiday plate lined with evergreen sprigs for an inviting holiday centerpiece that's part treat, part decoration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh and tender for about a week, perfect for nibbling over that second cup of coffee.
Freezing
If I’m prepping ahead, I freeze unbaked cut dough pieces separated by parchment so they don’t stick. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake fresh whenever you want that just-made cookie experience.
Reheating
Leftover cookies are lovely warmed up with a quick 10-second zap in the microwave—it brings back that soft, buttery texture almost like fresh from the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can use salted butter, but I recommend reducing or skipping added salt to keep the balance right. Unsalted butter gives you better control over saltiness in your cookies.
Rolling the dough evenly to about ¼-inch thick and chilling it briefly before baking helps maintain sharp edges and festive shapes. Avoid over-flouring the surface, which can soften the dough too much.
Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for royal icing as they hold up well and provide a smooth canvas. Just be sure the cookies are fully cooled before decorating to prevent melting or smudging.
Freeze the dough after rolling and cutting the shapes. Lay the pieces flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw in the fridge before baking for best results.
Final Thoughts
Making these Christmas sugar cookies has always felt like a little holiday ritual for me—simple ingredients, a bit of kneading, and the magic of shapes and colors coming alive. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do and that it becomes part of your festive traditions, bringing warmth and smiles with every bite.
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 40 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Christmas sugar cookies that are perfectly soft, buttery, and ready to be decorated with your favorite festive icing. Ideal for holiday gatherings or gifting, these cookies combine simple ingredients for a timeless treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, measured correctly
- 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven Preheat your oven to 350 °F and position a rack in the center to ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, aluminum-free baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined, ensuring a smooth and uniform mixture.
- Incorporate Flour Gradually add the dry flour mixture in three parts to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition until the dough comes together fully.
- Roll Out Dough Divide the dough into two equal portions. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out each portion to a thickness of ¼ inch.
- Cut Shapes Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes to cut out the dough, then carefully transfer the cutouts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake Bake the cookies at 350 °F for 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color.
- Cool Cookies Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate Once fully cooled, decorate the cookies with your preferred cookie icing or decorations to celebrate the festive season.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Measure flour properly using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense cookies.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder for the best flavor.
- Rolling the dough to an even ¼ inch ensures uniform baking.
- Cooling cookies slightly before transferring prevents breakage.
- Decorate cookies only after they have fully cooled to prevent icing from melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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