There’s something magical about biting into perfectly soft yet crisp holiday treats, and this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that. These classic cookies are buttery, subtly sweet, and just begging for festive decorations — making them my go-to for holiday baking sessions!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made many sugar cookie recipes over the years, but this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe stands out because it’s so reliable and easy to personalize. It’s the kind of recipe you'll turn to year after year because it checks all the boxes — buttery flavor, great texture, and perfect for decorating.
- Simple ingredients: There’s no fuss here, just ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- Perfect texture: These cookies are soft enough to melt in your mouth but still have that satisfying slight crispness around the edges.
- Super customizable: Whether you want classic sprinkles or royal icing decorations, this recipe is a fantastic blank canvas.
- Quick to make: From start to finish, you’ll have a batch ready to share in just about 30 minutes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating that classic cookie we all adore. The combination yields a dough that rolls out smooth and bakes up with just the right crumb.
- Unsalted butter: Using room temperature unsalted butter means you control the salt content and get a tender, rich cookie.
- Granulated sugar: It adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps cookies spread evenly.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and gives the cookie structure while keeping them soft.
- Vanilla extract: A little goes a long way to boost flavor and add warmth.
- All-purpose flour: The main structure of the cookie—make sure to measure it properly for the best results.
- Baking powder: Provides gentle lift without making the cookies cakey—important for that classic sugar cookie feel.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up with this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe because it’s so adaptable. Sometimes I throw in a pinch of cinnamon or swap vanilla for almond extract for a fun twist. You can really make it yours depending on your mood or holiday vibe!
- Variation: Adding a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder makes a delicious chocolate sugar cookie – one year, my kids went crazy over this variation during our cookie swap.
- Dietary tweaks: For gluten-free friends, swapping in a gluten-free flour blend works well, though I recommend chilling the dough a bit longer for easier handling.
- Decorating ideas: Use colored sugars, sprinkles, or royal icing to match your festive theme — I enjoy letting the kids decorate as part of our holiday tradition.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl—this ensures even distribution and makes your dough smooth later on.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using your mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and pale—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. It’s key for that tender crumb texture everyone loves. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, mixing gently until just incorporated. Don’t overmix here—otherwise, your cookies might get tough. The dough should hold together but still be soft and pliable.
Step 4: Roll and Cut Your Cookies
Divide the dough into two halves and roll each out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Then, grab your favorite holiday-shaped cookie cutters and get creative. Transfer the cut cookies carefully onto your baking sheets.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies at 350°F for about 10 minutes, watching closely for golden edges. Don’t be tempted to overbake—soft centers mean tender cookies! Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for roughly 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
Top Tip
After countless holiday baking marathons, I’ve learned these tips make all the difference when making this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe:
- Chilling the dough: If your kitchen’s warm, pop the dough in the fridge for 15–30 minutes before rolling so it’s easier to handle and holds cookie shapes better.
- Measuring flour correctly: Use a spoon to fluff the flour in the bag or container, then lightly scoop into your measuring cup. This prevents packing and keeps the dough tender.
- Don’t overbake: The cookies will look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out—that’s perfect since they firm up as they cool.
- Decorate after cooling: Make sure cookies are fully cool before icing; otherwise, the icing can melt or run, making a mess.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top my cookies with a mix of royal icing and colorful sprinkles. Sometimes I add edible glitter or tiny sugar pearls to make them extra special — it’s such a simple way to make each cookie feel festive and fun!
Side Dishes
These sugar cookies go wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced cider, hot cocoa, or a mug of eggnog. For a party, I like pairing them with cheese platters and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking cookies tied with ribbon or arranging them on festive tiered trays for a holiday cookie exchange. Gift boxes or clear cellophane bags decorated with twine always make a heartwarming homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to a week if kept away from humidity — you’ll find they maintain their delicious flavor without drying out.
Freezing
This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe freezes beautifully. I usually freeze the cut dough portions wrapped in plastic wrap, then thaw and bake as needed. You can also freeze baked cookies in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Reheating
If your cookies have lost a bit of their fresh-baked softness, pop them in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. This brings back that lovely just-baked warmth and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but be mindful that salted butter contains added salt, which might make the cookies slightly saltier than intended. If using salted butter, consider reducing or skipping the added salt in the recipe.
Overcreaming the butter and sugar, too much flour or insufficient chilling can cause spreading. Make sure to measure flour correctly, avoid overmixing, and consider chilling your dough if your kitchen is warm for better shape retention.
To adapt this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe, substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and replace the egg with flaxseed meal mixed with water or applesauce. Notes that texture may vary slightly, but they still taste delicious!
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread inside. The bread helps maintain moisture so the cookies stay soft longer. Avoid refrigerating, as it can dry them out.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe really feels like a holiday hug—familiar, comforting, and full of joy. I hope you enjoy baking and decorating them as much as I do, and that they become a beloved part of your festive traditions. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to make them year after year.
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, tender, and perfect for holiday decorating. These cookies bake to a perfect golden edge, making them ideal for festive shapes 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 aluminum-free baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 °F and position a rack in the center of the oven for even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand-up or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: To the creamed butter and sugar mixture, add the vanilla extract and the egg, then beat until fully combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture in three parts to the wet mixture, mixing after each addition until fully incorporated into a soft dough.
- Roll out dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion out to ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut shapes: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes from the rolled dough.
- Bake cookies: Place the cut cookies on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 °F for 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden.
- Cool and decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating with icing.
Notes
- For best results, measure flour properly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off, avoiding packing it down.
- Use aluminum-free baking powder to prevent any metallic taste in the cookies.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve a tender crumb.
- Chill dough if too soft to handle when rolling out.
- Decorate cooled cookies with your favorite icing or sprinkles for a festive touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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