Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year! The scent of freshly baked Christmas cookies fills homes with warmth and joy. These classic sugar cookies are the quintessential holiday treat, embodying tradition, delicious flavor, and endless decorating fun. This easy-to-follow recipe promises a reliable batch of perfect Christmas sugar cookies every time, making your festive baking simple and sweet.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sugar Cookies
You’ll adore this recipe for many reasons, making it a holiday favorite!
- Simple Baking: The process is straightforward, perfect for bakers of all skill levels, especially beginners.
- Family Tradition: Decorating these Christmas sugar cookies becomes a cherished activity for everyone.
- Incredibly Versatile: Cut them into any festive shape imaginable, from stars to snowflakes.
- Deliciously Buttery: Each bite offers a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich flavor.
- Perfect for Gifting: These beautiful cookies make thoughtful presents or delightful additions to holiday platters.
Ingredients
Making these incredible Christmas cookies starts with a few basic kitchen staples. Ensure all cold ingredients are at room temperature unless otherwise specified for the best results.
- All-purpose flour: 3 cups, spooned and leveled. This forms the structure of your cookies.
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened to room temperature. It adds richness and flavor.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup. For the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Large egg: 1, at room temperature. It binds the dough together.
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons. Essential for that classic, comforting flavor.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon. Provides a slight lift to the cookies.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon. Balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors.
Notes & Substitutions
Achieving the best classic Christmas cookies relies on ingredient quality and proper preparation.
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter and ensure it’s truly softened, not melted. This is crucial for creaming.
- Flour: To measure flour accurately, spoon it lightly into a measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Don’t scoop directly from the bag.
- Extracts: Feel free to swap half of the vanilla for almond extract or a few drops of peppermint extract for a festive twist.
- Zest: For bright flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon or orange zest to the butter and sugar mixture.
- Gluten-free: You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed. Results may vary slightly, but they will still be delicious.
Equipment
You’ll need a few common kitchen tools to create these lovely Christmas cookies.
- Stand mixer or hand mixer: To cream butter and sugar.
- Large mixing bowls: For wet and dry ingredients.
- Rolling pin: To flatten the dough evenly.
- Assorted cookie cutters: For fun, festive shapes.
- Baking sheets: Two to three, for baking in batches.
- Parchment paper or silicone mats: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Wire cooling rack: For cooling baked cookies completely.
- Spatula: For transferring delicate cookies.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bake the most delightful Christmas sugar cookies. Patience with chilling the dough will yield the best results!
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl with your stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed. Continue beating until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg until just combined. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure these are well combined.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick. Do not overmix; overmixing can lead to tough Christmas cookies.
- Prepare dough for chilling: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk, about 1-inch thick.
- Chill the dough: Wrap each dough disk tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling is crucial for easy rolling and preventing your Christmas cookies from spreading.
According to King Arthur Baking, chilling cookie dough solidifies the fat, which prevents spreading and improves texture.
- Preheat and prep: Once ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Roll the dough: On a lightly floured surface (or between two sheets of parchment paper), roll out one disk of chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut shapes: Use your favorite festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Carefully transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Re-roll scraps as needed, but try not to overwork the dough.
- Bake: Bake one sheet at a time for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your Christmas cookies.
- Cool: Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are entirely cool, unleash your creativity! Decorate them with royal icing, simple glaze, or sprinkles.
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality homemade Christmas cookies is easier with a few expert tricks up your sleeve.
- Do not overmix the dough: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your cookies tough and chewy instead of tender. Mix until just combined.
- Chill dough completely: This is the most critical step for preventing spread and ensuring crisp, well-defined shapes. Do not skip or shorten this time.
- Lightly flour surface: Use just enough flour to prevent sticking when rolling, too much flour will make your dough dry.
- Parchment paper: Always use parchment paper on your baking sheets. It guarantees easy release and prevents burning the bottoms.
- Bake one sheet at a time: For even baking, bake cookies on the middle rack, one sheet at a time.
- Watch for edges: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are lightly golden. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Cool fully: Decorating warm cookies will cause your icing to melt and run. Wait until they are completely cool.
- Experiment with frostings: Try different frosting techniques, from simple dusting sugar to elaborate royal icing.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These delightful Christmas cookies are versatile for serving, easy to store, and simple to customize.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy these buttery cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa.
- Arrange a beautiful platter of festive Christmas cookies for your holiday dessert table.
- Package them in decorative tins or bags for lovely homemade gifts that friends and family will adore.
Storage Instructions
- Store baked and undecorated Christmas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- You can freeze undecorated baked cookies for up to 3 months. Layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container.
- Freeze raw dough disks, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.
- Thaw any frozen cookies or dough overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying or baking.
For general food safety when baking, the Home Baking Association provides essential tips for handling ingredients and preventing contamination.
Variations
- Spice Cookies: Incorporate 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of nutmeg, or ¼ teaspoon of ginger for warm, spicy fun Christmas cookies.
- Almond Extract: Replace half of the vanilla extract with almond extract for a distinct, nutty flavor.
- Royal Icing: Perfect for intricate, hardened decorations that are easy to stack and gift.
- Simple Glaze: A quick mix of powdered sugar and milk creates an easy, shiny topping.
- Sandwich Cookies: Fill two cookies with jam, chocolate ganache, or buttercream for a delicious treat.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for these Christmas cookies. Please note that values are approximate and can vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes, especially with added decorations. Enjoying holiday treats in moderation is key to a happy season.
| Component | Amount (per cookie, undecorated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120-150 kcal |
| Total Fat | 6-8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4-5 g |
| Cholesterol | 20-25 mg |
| Sodium | 50-70 mg |
| Total Carbs | 15-20 g |
| Sugars | 8-12 g |
| Protein | 1-2 g |
This table represents an estimate. Remember, holiday indulgence is perfectly fine!
FAQ about Christmas Sugar Cookies
Here are answers to common questions about making the best Christmas cookies.
- How long should I chill the dough? Chill the dough for at least 2 hours, but overnight is ideal for preventing spread and achieving crisp edges.
- Can I make the dough in advance? Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days ahead and keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Why are my cookies spreading too much? This usually happens if the dough isn’t chilled enough, the butter was too soft or melted, or too much baking powder was used.
- What is the best type of flour? All-purpose flour is perfect for these cookies. Ensure you measure it correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup.
- How do I prevent cookies from sticking? Always use parchment paper or silicone baking mats on your baking sheets for easy release.
- What’s the best frosting for decorating? Royal icing is fantastic for intricate designs that harden. A simple powdered sugar glaze also works wonderfully for easy decorating.
- Can these cookies be made vegan? Yes, you can substitute plant-based butter and a “flax egg” (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) for a vegan version.
Conclusion
Baking your Christmas cookies is a beautiful way to embrace the festive season and create lasting memories. This classic recipe provides a delightful canvas for your creativity and a delicious treat for everyone. Whether you’re baking with family, gifting to loved ones, or simply enjoying the sweet flavors yourself, these easy and reliable sugar cookies are sure to bring joy. We hope you enjoy this festive tradition and have a very happy holiday season filled with delicious homemade treats!
Classic Cutout Christmas Cookies
These classic cutout Christmas cookies are a festive and delicious treat, perfect for holiday baking and decorating with family and friends. Their buttery flavor and tender texture make them an ideal canvas for all your favorite icings and sprinkles.
Servings: 36 cookies
Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Large mixing bowls
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
- 1 Large egg
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
For Decorating
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 3-4 tbsp Milk
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- Food coloring as desired
- Sprinkles as desired
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to form a soft dough.
Baking
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1-2 hours or until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper; on a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- Carefully transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating
- To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth; add food coloring if desired.
- Once cookies are completely cool, decorate them with the prepared icing and sprinkles.
Notes
For best results, ensure your butter is at room temperature before creaming. Chilling the dough thoroughly is crucial for easy rolling and preventing the cookies from spreading.