There’s something truly magical about the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies filling your kitchen during the holidays. This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe brings out the warmth, nostalgia, and festive joy that everyone looks forward to each year. Trust me, these buttery, tender cookies are an instant crowd-pleaser!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve been baking these Christmas sugar cookies for years, and every time I make them, the whole house feels cozier—and honestly, they bring out the kid in all of us. The joy of cutting out shapes and decorating makes this recipe special beyond just the taste.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy add-ins here, just pantry staples that create irresistible cookies.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, buttery, and just the right amount of chewiness that melts in your mouth.
- Customizable Shapes: Roll out the dough and get creative with cutters to suit any holiday theme.
- Great for Decorating: These cookies hold their shape perfectly, making them ideal canvases for fun icing and sprinkles.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is built around classic, straightforward ingredients that blend beautifully. Here are some tips that I’ve gathered along the way to help you get the best results.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level better and ensures the richest flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the slight crisp edge when baked just right.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture—make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Vanilla Extract: A simple addition that deepens flavor and adds warmth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Measured correctly, it gives the cookies structure without making them tough.
- Baking Powder: I always use aluminum-free for a cleaner taste and very subtle rise.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the buttery flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love how this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe invites you to make it truly your own. Whether you love using traditional cutters or like to experiment with flavors and decorations, there’s plenty of room to get creative.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out vanilla for almond extract for a nutty flavor twist—it’s a hit every time with family and friends.
- Dietary Mods: If you need gluten-free cookies, a 1:1 blend of gluten-free flour works well here but might need a slightly shorter baking time.
- Seasonal Adaptations: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for extra holiday warmth.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients
First things first, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. This ensures even distribution and avoids lumps. Measure the flour carefully by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off—no scooping! This helps keep the cookies tender and not dense.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand or handheld mixer, beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3 to 5 minutes. This is key to getting that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Then, add the vanilla and egg, mixing well to combine everything smoothly.
Step 3: Incorporate the Flour
Add the flour mixture in three parts, mixing just until incorporated each time. Overmixing can toughen the dough, so keep an eye out for when the flour disappears into the butter mixture.
Step 4: Roll & Cut Your Cookies
Divide your dough in half, lightly flour your workspace, and roll each portion to about ¼-inch thick. I find that chilling the dough briefly before rolling helps reduce sticking and makes cutting cleaner shapes. Use your favorite cookie cutters—stars, trees, snowflakes—the options are endless!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place cookies on a parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Look for just a hint of golden edges—that’s your sign to pull them out.
Step 6: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This pause helps them set without breaking. Then comes the best part—decorating! I love using royal icing, colored sugars, and little sprinkles for that festive pop.
Top Tip
Having made these cookies dozens of times, I've learned a few tricks that keep the process smooth and the results consistently wonderful. These tips will save you time and help avoid common pitfalls.
- Butter Softness Matters: Make sure the butter is soft but not melting—too soft and the dough will be greasy and hard to roll.
- Don’t Over-Roll: Rolling the dough too thin can cause crispy cookies instead of soft ones, so aim for a nice ¼-inch thickness.
- Chill if Sticky: If your dough is sticky or warm, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling. It makes handling much easier.
- Bake One Sheet at a Time: To ensure even baking, especially when using multiple sheets, bake one tray at a time in the center rack.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about finishing touches, so I usually go for classic royal icing piped with festive colors—red, green, and white are my go-to. Add a sprinkle of edible glitter or sanding sugar to catch the light, which makes the cookies extra special especially if you’re gifting or hosting.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a spiced holiday coffee. I’ve even served them alongside peppermint bark or a rich fruitcake for an indulgent cookie platter with variety.
Creative Ways to Present
Last year, I layered them in a clear glass jar tied with a festive ribbon—it made a beautiful edible gift. You can also arrange them on platters around a lit candle centerpiece or package sets in small boxes with personalized notes. Presentation really adds to the festive spirit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Christmas sugar cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread inside. The bread helps keep the cookies soft for several days without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, the cookie dough freezes really well. Just shape it into disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and cutting.
Reheating
To refresh slightly stale cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. This warms them up gently, bringing back that fresh-baked softness without drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, but I recommend using unsalted butter for better control over the saltiness in the cookies. If using salted butter, you might want to reduce the added salt slightly.
Chilling isn’t strictly necessary, but chilling the dough for about 30 minutes helps it firm up, making it easier to roll and cut sharp shapes. It also helps prevent spreading while baking, resulting in prettier cookies.
I haven’t tested a fully vegan version myself, but you could try substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg instead of a chicken egg. Keep in mind that texture and flavor might vary, so some trial might be required.
Decorated cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature typically last up to one week. Avoid refrigerating, as it can cause the icing to sweat or crack. For longer storage, freezing undecorated cookies is best, then decorating after thawing.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe feels like sharing a little piece of holiday magic. It’s one of those recipes that brings people together—not just around the kitchen counter but around memories and simple seasonal joys. So grab your rolling pin, pick out your favorite cookie cutters, and let the festive baking begin. I promise you’ll have fun and end up with cookies that taste just like Christmas.
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
Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies that are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating. These festive treats are easy to make with simple ingredients and are ideal for holiday celebrations.
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 baking powder, aluminum free
- 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, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to incorporate later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until fluffy and well combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and large egg to the butter and sugar mixture, then beat again until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, mixing well after each addition until the dough is fully combined.
- Roll Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion out to a ¼-inch thickness for perfect cookie thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the rolled dough, then place the cookies on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies at 350 °F for 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with your favorite icing or toppings.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth dough.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any metallic taste in your cookies.
- If the dough is too sticky to roll, chill it for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- For crispier cookies, bake a couple of minutes longer but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Decorate cookies only after they are completely cool to avoid melting your icing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 55 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: 25 mg
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