Name: Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 2 h 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 stick salted butter softened; 2 ounces cream cheese softened; 1½ cups sugar; 2 large eggs; 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 2½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; Red & Green Sanding Sugar

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without cookies that bring back the warmest memories, and nothing hits the nostalgic sweet spot quite like my Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, buttery, and just the right touch of festive with red and green sanding sugar sparkling on top—perfect for sharing joy around the kitchen table.

A white plate full of light golden round cookies, each with a crisscross pattern pressed on top. The cookies are decorated with red and green sugar sprinkles scattered mainly in the center and lightly around the edges. The cookies are stacked in a slightly uneven pile on a white marbled surface, with some sugar sprinkles falling on the plate around them. In the background, faint blurred festive decorations add a soft holiday feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly love how this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and festive flair. It’s my go-to when I want cookies that guests rave about—but also ones I can whip up without feeling overwhelmed.

Soft, but sturdy texture: These cookies hold their shape beautifully and stay soft long after baking.
Classic, crowd-pleasing flavors: The combination of vanilla and a hint of almond extract adds a subtle, nostalgic depth.
Fun and festive decorating: The red and green sanding sugar instantly give these cookies that holiday sparkle.
Easy to make ahead: The dough can chill so you’re working ahead and stress-free on cookie day.

A white plate holds a stack of soft round cookies with fork marks pressed in a crisscross pattern on top. The cookies are light golden in color, with some sprinkled with red sugar crystals and others with green sugar crystals on the top surface. The stack is thick, roughly four cookies high, and the cookies have a slightly rough, crumbly texture. Around the plate’s edge and on the white marbled surface beneath, there are scattered red and green sugar crystals. In the blurry background, more cookies can be seen out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here is a star on its own, but together they create the classic, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture and that beautiful buttery flavor you want from Christmas cookies. A couple of tips on what to keep an eye out for when you shop—as those little details really make a difference.

Flat lay of a stick of salted butter with a smooth surface, a small white ceramic bowl filled with soft cream cheese, a shallow white ceramic bowl heaped with granulated sugar, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, another small white bowl with pale almond extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with finely sifted all-purpose flour, a white bowl holding white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with fine baking soda powder, a tiny white bowl with fine salt crystals, two small white bowls—one filled with bright red sanding sugar and the other with vivid green sanding sugar— all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted Butter: Using salted butter adds just the right amount of seasoning without extra salt—you can skip adding more salty ingredients.
Cream Cheese: This little addition keeps the cookies tender and gives them a subtle tang that balances sweetness.
Sugar: Regular granulated sugar gives a slight crunch and keeps the sweetness pure, perfect before adding colored sanding sugar.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture, so don’t skip or replace without a good substitute.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth and depth—don’t use imitation here.
Almond Extract: Just a touch, but it gives that unmistakable festive aroma that feels like holidays in a bite.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
Cornstarch: This is the secret weapon for softness, adding a delicate crumb to every cookie.
Baking Soda: Just enough to give a light rise without puffing the cookie out.
Salt: Enhances flavor—the pinch you add ensures the sweetness doesn’t feel one-dimensional.
Red & Green Sanding Sugar: Adds festive color and a little crunchy sparkle ideal for holiday presentations.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is how effortlessly you can tweak it to make it your own. I love adding little twists or extra warmth depending on my mood—or sometimes to accommodate everyone's tastes.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap almond extract for orange zest for a bright, citrusy surprise—totally changes the vibe but keeps that Christmas cookie feeling.
Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and skip cream cheese or replace with a vegan cream cheese alternative.
Decorating Tips: Try adding a sprinkle of colored sugar before baking and finishing with a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a glam twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming Butter and Cream Cheese Until Fluffy

Start by making sure your butter and cream cheese are softened fully—trust me, this step is key for a smooth dough free of lumps. In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract together with a hand mixer. It usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes until everything turns light and fluffy. Don’t rush this part; it incorporates air making the cookies tender.

Step 2: Adding Dry Ingredients and Mixing Gently

Next up, scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure nothing’s hiding on the edges. Then, add your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Turn the mixer to low speed and combine until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix here—a light hand makes for the best texture.

Step 3: Chill Time – Patience Is a Virtue

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for about two hours. I promise this wait is so worth it—it firms up the dough making it easier to handle and also improves flavor and texture.

Step 4: Baking and Adding Festive Sparkle

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, placing each at least an inch apart. Press down gently with a fork in a crisscross pattern, then sprinkle generously with red or green sanding sugar. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, making sure they don’t brown at the edges — you want them soft and just slightly underdone when you pull them out.

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes—they’ll firm up perfectly—before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top Tip

Making sugar cookies over the years has taught me a few things—little tricks that really transform your cookies from good to unforgettable. These tips have saved me more than once from ending up with dry or too-hard cookies.

Softening Butter and Cream Cheese Properly: Make sure both are at room temperature — this helps the sugar fully dissolve and creates a fluffy dough without lumps.
Don’t Overbake: Pull them out when they still look slightly underdone—they'll set up perfectly once cooled and stay soft inside.
Use a Cookie Scoop: For even portions and consistent cookies, a scoop is a baker’s best friend, making your life easier.
Line Your Pans Well: Parchment paper or silicone baking mats prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.

How to Serve Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’ve kept it simple by sticking to traditional red and green sanding sugars for that classic festive look, but sometimes I like to add a delicate drizzle of melted white chocolate or a light dusting of powdered sugar for extra charm. It makes the cookies just a touch more special without overwhelming their buttery flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa—my favorite cozy combo on a chilly winter afternoon. I also love serving them alongside other holiday treats like peppermint bark or cinnamon-spiced nuts to round out a festive dessert tray.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting or parties, I line a festive tin with parchment paper and layer the cookies separated by wax paper. Another fun idea I tried recently is arranging the cookies in a wreath shape on a large platter, alternating colors and adding fresh rosemary sprigs for greenery—it was a showstopper. They’re perfect for decorating cookies with kids too, letting them add their personal touch before baking.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always keep these cookies fresh in airtight containers at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week if you don’t eat them all beforehand—which rarely happens!

Freezing

When I want to prep early, I freeze these cookies after baking in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. They last beautifully up to 3 months and thaw at room temp in about an hour—perfect for last-minute parties.

Reheating

If you prefer your sugar cookies warm and soft, a quick 5 to 10-second zap in the microwave does the trick. Just don’t overheat them or they’ll dry out. Alternatively, popping them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes works wonders to refresh their texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use margarine instead of butter for this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Butter is preferred for its flavor and texture. Margarine can alter the consistency, making cookies less tender and less flavorful. For best results, stick with real butter.

How important is chilling the dough for 2 hours?

Chilling the dough is key! It firms up the dough making it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. It also improves the texture and intensifies flavor. Skipping this step may cause spreading and less tender cookies.

Can I decorate these cookies with icing instead of sanding sugar?

Absolutely! Royal icing or simple glaze works beautifully on these sugar cookies and adds a fun decorating twist. Just make sure cookies are fully cooled before icing to avoid melting.

How do I keep these cookies soft for longer?

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. Avoid refrigeration, which dries cookies out. You can refresh softness by microwaving briefly or reheating in a low oven.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, my Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is one that feels like a warm hug in cookie form. Every year, these cookies bring back happy vibes, sweet conversations, and that cozy kitchen glow you hope for in the holidays. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—once you bake them, they’ll quickly become a cherished tradition in your own celebrations.