There’s something magical about the way a batch of these soft, buttery treats fills the kitchen with a warm, festive aroma. This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is a timeless classic that’s super easy to make and perfect for decorating with your favorite holiday designs.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I seriously enjoy making this recipe every year because it strikes the perfect balance — soft yet sturdy enough for cookie cutters and icing, and the flavor is simple but satisfying. It’s also one you can tweak to match your own festive spin.
- Perfect texture: These cookies are soft and tender, but they hold their shape beautifully when cut into holiday shapes.
- Simple ingredients: You don’t need any fancy or hard-to-find items — everything’s probably already in your pantry.
- Versatile decorating: Whether you like royal icing, sprinkles, or a simple dusting of sugar, these cookies invite creativity.
- Great for gifting: These cookies store well and look so charming in gift tins or boxes when wrapped beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays an important role, working together to create that classic sugar cookie experience — tender, flavorful, and easy to shape. Here's why I trust these pantry staples for perfect holiday cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, it provides richness without extra salt that could throw off the flavor balance.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the right texture when creamed with the butter.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the dough together and adds moisture for tenderness.
- Vanilla extract: A subtle boost to flavor that gives the cookies their irresistible aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, make sure to measure it properly for the right consistency — spoon and level!
- Baking powder: Aluminum-free specifically so there is no metallic aftertaste; it gives the cookies a gentle lift, keeping them soft.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor, so don't skip it.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can turn up the vanilla, add almond extract, or try different decorating styles that reflect your holiday vibe.
- Add citrus zest: I sometimes add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest for a bright, seasonal twist — it freshens the flavor beautifully.
- Use your favorite cookie cutters: I keep an assortment of festive shapes on hand, from classic trees and stars to snowflakes and bells, making baking more fun.
- Gluten-free swap: I've had success substituting a gluten-free all-purpose blend for a naturally inclusive treat for guests.
- Icing tips: Whether you like royal icing or simple glaze, I recommend chilling cookies fully before decorating for the best results.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together
Start by combining your flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. This way, the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough — it helps avoid unwanted clumps or uneven rising. Set this aside for now.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand or handheld mixer, beat softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy — usually around 3 to 4 minutes. This aeration step is key to creating that tender crumb without being too dense.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Don’t worry if the dough looks a little shiny here — the magic happens when you add your dry ingredients!
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Add the flour mixture in three batches, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. Overmixing will develop gluten and make your cookies tougher — so slow and gentle wins the day here.
Step 5: Roll and Shape the Dough
Divide the dough in two, lightly flour your surface, and roll each half to about ¼-inch thickness. Then, cut out your favorite holiday shapes using cookie cutters. I like to dip mine in flour before pressing down so the dough doesn’t stick and tears don’t happen.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place your cookies on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Look for edges just starting to turn golden — that’s your signal to pull them, ensuring they’re soft and chewy inside.
Step 7: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. Decorating warm cookies can cause icing to melt or slide off — I learned that the hard way the first time!
Top Tip
From making this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe year after year, I’ve discovered a few tricks that really make the process smoother and the results even better. These little tweaks saved my cookies — and might help you too!
- Chill the dough if it’s too soft: If your kitchen is warm and the dough feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before rolling — it firms up and’s easier to cut.
- Don’t overbake: Cookies continue to set as they cool. Pull them just as edges turn golden to keep them soft rather than crunchy.
- Flour your cutters, not too much: Dusting the cookie cutters lightly prevents sticking but too much flour can dry cookies out or dull the look.
- Use parchment or silicone mats: These surfaces help cookies bake evenly and prevent burning on the bottoms — I never skip this step anymore.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I typically go classic with royal icing in festive colors — red, green, and white — topped with a sprinkle of edible glitter or colored sugar crystals. Sometimes I add tiny silver dragees or nonpareils for that extra sparkle. Given their simple vanilla flavor, you have tons of decorating freedom without competing tastes.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced hot cocoa or cinnamon-infused tea. A side of fresh fruit or a scoop of peppermint ice cream can turn your cookie snack into an indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
My favorite presentation for gifting involves stacking cookies between layers of parchment paper in decorative tins or clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon. For parties, try arranging them artfully on a pretty platter with sprigs of pine or holly for that extra holiday charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, I store leftover cookies in an airtight container layered with wax paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh and soft at room temperature for up to a week — perfect for nibbling throughout the holidays.
Freezing
I often freeze unbaked cut-out dough balls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, so whenever the cookie craving hits, I can thaw, roll, and bake fresh cookies in a snap. Fully baked and decorated cookies also freeze well in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Reheating
If you want to gently warm cookies (especially if they’ve been frozen), I pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture without cracking the icing or drying them out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can use salted butter in a pinch, but since this recipe calls for only a small amount of salt, using unsalted butter helps you control the saltiness better for a balanced flavor.
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough if it feels too soft. Also, avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar. Using the right amount of flour measured correctly is crucial.
I recommend cooling the cookies completely before decorating. Royal icing works beautifully for detailed designs, while a simple glaze with sprinkles is perfect for a quick and festive touch.
Absolutely! You can make the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage. Just thaw before rolling and cutting.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is a wonderfully reliable way to bring joy and creativity into your kitchen during the holidays. I hope you enjoy baking and decorating them as much as I do — trust me, sharing them turns every gathering into a cozy, festive celebration. Give this recipe a try, and watch how these little cookies bring big smiles!
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 buttery, soft, and perfect for holiday decorating. These cookies are easy to make and deliciously festive, ideal for cookie cutters and icing.
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 aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand-up or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and egg to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour mixture in three parts to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion out to a ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cut cookies onto a parchment paper- or silicone-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 °F for 10 minutes until the edges begin to turn golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with your favorite cookie icing.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid any metallic taste and ensure proper rising.
- Rolling dough to ¼ inch thickness helps cookies bake evenly and maintain shape.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cool cookies completely before icing to prevent melting or spreading of icing.
- This dough can be chilled for 30 minutes before rolling to make it easier to handle in warmer kitchens.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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