There’s something truly magical about pulling a batch of beautifully shaped, perfectly tender sugar cookies from the oven during the holidays. This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is one I've come back to every year, and trust me, it’s worth making to create sweet moments with family and friends who will adore every bite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe isn’t just about sweetness—it’s about creating a canvas for holiday creativity with decorations that sparkle, and a buttery, soft cookie that makes you want to bake seconds. I love how easy it is to handle the dough, making it perfect even for baking days with little helpers.
- Reliable Texture: These cookies bake up tender but hold their shape beautifully for cutting out fun holiday shapes.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, the recipe is straightforward and fuss-free, so you can focus on enjoying family time.
- Great for Decorating: The slightly crisp edges and soft centers make the perfect base for frosting, sprinkles, or edible glitter.
- Time-Saving Process: From mixing to baking, the entire batch is ready in about thirty minutes — perfect for a cozy afternoon in the kitchen.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe really comes from using classic, simple ingredients that harmonize perfectly—no complicated substitutions needed. Each component plays a practical role in creating that soft, buttery bite and crisp edges you'll love.
- Unsalted butter: I always use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level precisely; it gives richness and tenderness.
- Granulated sugar: This sweetens the dough and helps with that subtle crispness on the cookie edges.
- Egg: Adds moisture and binds everything together without weighing the dough down.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla brings out the warm, cozy flavors that make Christmas cookies feel special.
- All-purpose flour: Be sure to measure it properly by spooning it into your measuring cup for the right texture.
- Baking powder (aluminum free): Using aluminum-free baking powder keeps the cookies tasting fresh and clean, boosting a gentle rise.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth without being noticeable.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe my own by switching up decorations or adding subtle twists to the dough. Don’t be afraid to try out flavors or shapes that speak to you — it’s all part of the fun!
- Variation: One year, I added a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla for a nutty aroma — it’s a little unexpected but so delightful with the buttery dough.
- Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free option, I’ve successfully used vegan butter, though I slightly reduced baking time.
- Seasonal twist: Adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or ginger gives your cookies a warm holiday spice kick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and positioning the rack in the center—they bake best with even heat. Next, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. This might sound basic but doing this ahead keeps your dough smooth and consistent—no clumps or patches of baking powder in your cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using your mixer, beat the softened butter with the sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This step is so satisfying! The air you whip into it gives your cookies that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined—you don’t want to overdo it here.
Step 3: Incorporate Flour and Form Dough
Add the flour mixture in three parts to your butter mix, blending gently after each addition. When everything is just combined, your dough is ready. Divide it into two parts and chill briefly if it feels too soft, which makes rolling out much easier.
Step 4: Roll and Cut Your Cookies
Lightly flour your work surface and roll each dough portion out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes—stars, trees, snowflakes, you name it! This part always brings me joy, especially when baking with kids.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets for around 10 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden. Keep a close eye from minute 8 on, since ovens can vary! Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps them firm up just right for decorating.
Top Tip
From years of holiday baking, I’ve found a couple of little tricks that make your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe truly shine. These tips saved me from soggy or cracked cookies more than once—so here’s what worked best for me.
- Softened Butter, Not Melted: Always use butter softened to room temperature—too soft or melted means tough dough or flat cookies.
- Flour Measuring Method: Spoon flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping directly from the bag, reducing the risk of dense cookies.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mixing or rolling too aggressively develops gluten which can toughen cookies; gentle handling is key.
- Chill If Needed: If the dough’s too warm or sticky, a short chill helps with rolling and preserves shape during baking.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
When it comes to garnishes, I’m a fan of simple royal icing either plain white or tinted with festive colors. Adding sprinkles or edible glitter right after icing is the perfect way to catch the light and add sparkle. Sometimes I even press in a peppermint candy for a minty crunch delight.
Side Dishes
I love serving these sugar cookies alongside a warm cup of hot cocoa or a spiced holiday latte. For gatherings, pairing them with a cheese board featuring mild cheeses and nuts balances the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite things is presenting cookies on tiered cake stands decorated with pine sprigs and cranberries for festive flair. Wrapping cookie stacks in cellophane tied with ribbon makes wonderful homemade gifts that everyone appreciates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh at room temperature for up to a week, perfect for nibbling throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
To freeze, I usually freeze the dough rolled and cut between layers of parchment, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time. I’ve also frozen baked cookies—just thaw at room temperature before icing.
Reheating
Reheating baked Christmas sugar cookies gently in a warm oven (250°F for 3-5 minutes) revives their fresh-out-of-the-oven charm. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them chewy or overly soft.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s suitable for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for texture, and check the dough consistency—it might need a tiny bit more liquid or a shorter chill time.
Chilling your dough before rolling and cutting is key to preventing spreading. Also, avoid using melted butter—stick with softened butter. Lastly, make sure your baking powder is fresh to give the dough a proper lift while baking, keeping the cookies nicely shaped.
Absolutely! Once the cookies are completely cool, you can decorate them and let the icing set for a few hours. Store in an airtight container layered with parchment paper. Decorating a day or two ahead can make holiday prep much easier.
Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper helps keep it even and prevents sticking. A rolling pin with thickness rings is another great tool for consistency, ensuring all your cookies bake evenly.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings the whole family together for moments of laughter, creativity, and, of course, delicious treats. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these cookies as much as I do—they’re a simple, joyful way to add extra sparkle to your holiday traditions.
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 holiday decorating. These cookies are easy to make and bake to a light golden perfection, ideal for festive 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 aluminum-free baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 °F and place a rack in the center position for even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, aluminum-free baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter together with granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the vanilla extract and the large egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated into a dough.
- Roll Dough: Divide the dough evenly into two portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion out to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut Cookies: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes from the rolled dough.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cutouts onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake in the preheated oven at 350 °F for 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden.
- Cool Cookies: 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 your sugar cookies with icing or your preferred toppings for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for the best cookie texture.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid metallic taste.
- Chill the dough briefly if it becomes too soft to handle.
- Roll dough evenly to ensure consistent baking.
- Decorate cookies only after they have completely cooled to avoid melting the icing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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