Christmas Sugar Cookies are a holiday favorite with a buttery flavor, a hint of vanilla, and just the right amount of sweetness. They bake up with lightly crisp edges and soft, tender centers, making them perfect for decorating with colorful icing, sprinkles, or festive sugar.
These cookies are easy to make and fun for the whole family, especially when everyone gets to help cut out shapes and add their favorite decorations. Whether you’re preparing a Christmas cookie platter, sharing homemade treats with friends, or baking with the kids, these Christmas Sugar Cookies bring a little extra sweetness to the holiday season.
Table of Contents
Christmas Sugar Cookies Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 ¾ cups (345 g) Gives the cookies their structure and keeps them tender.
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (226 g), softened Adds a rich, buttery flavor and a soft texture.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g) Sweetens the cookies and helps create lightly crisp edges.
- Egg: 1 large Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons Brings warm, sweet flavor to every bite.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon Helps the cookies rise slightly while baking.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon Balances the sweetness and enhances the buttery flavor.
- Christmas sprinkles or colored icing: ½ cup sprinkles or as needed for icing Adds a festive touch and makes the cookies fun to decorate.
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth and well combined.
4. Prepare and Roll the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick, keeping the thickness even for uniform baking.
5. Cut and Bake the Cookies
Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut out your favorite shapes and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn lightly golden.
6. Cool and Decorate
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once completely cool, decorate with colored icing or Christmas sprinkles, then let the decorations set before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe beginner-friendly.
- Buttery and Delicious: Each cookie has a rich buttery flavor with a hint of sweet vanilla.
- Soft Centers and Crisp Edges: The cookies have a tender texture with lightly crisp edges.
- Perfect for Christmas: Festive shapes and colorful decorations make them ideal for the holiday season.
Tips and Shortcuts
- Chill the Dough if Needed: If the dough feels sticky or soft, refrigerate it for 20–30 minutes to make rolling and cutting easier.
- Roll the Dough Evenly: Keep the dough about ¼ inch thick so the cookies bake evenly and maintain their shapes.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the flour into the wet ingredients just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
What to Serve with Christmas Sugar Cookies
Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a cozy afternoon of decorating with the kids. Serve them with hot chocolate or a warm mug of cinnamon tea for a festive treat. They also look lovely arranged on a holiday dessert platter alongside brownies and gingerbread cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Christmas Sugar Cookies ahead of time ?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day or two in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. You can also bake the cookies ahead of time and decorate them when you’re ready.
Can I make Christmas Sugar Cookies without baking powder ?
Yes, but the texture may be slightly different. Baking powder helps the cookies rise a little, so leaving it out can produce flatter, denser cookies.
Can I use this dough with different cookie cutters ?
Yes! This dough works well with stars, Christmas trees, snowflakes, gingerbread people, and other festive shapes. Avoid making the shapes too thin, as they may bake faster or break more easily.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerator Storage: Store Christmas Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5–7 days to keep them fresh and tender. If decorated with perishable icing, refrigerate them as needed.
Freezer Storage: Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving or decorating.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy24
servings20
minutes10
minutes150
kcal1
hourThese Christmas Sugar Cookies are buttery, lightly crisp around the edges, and soft in the center, with a sweet vanilla flavor. Decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles for a festive holiday treat.
Ingredients
2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup Christmas sprinkles or colored icing, as needed for decorating
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Make the Dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms. If the dough is sticky, cover and chill for 20–30 minutes.
- Cut and Bake: Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thick. Cut into Christmas shapes and bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Cool and Decorate: Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once completely cool, decorate with icing or sprinkles.
Notes
- Avoid adding too much flour, as it can make the cookies dry.
- If the dough becomes too soft while cutting shapes, refrigerate it briefly.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
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