Christmas Sugar Cookies are the quintessential treat of the holiday season. These classic cookies are soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for decorating with colorful icing and festive sprinkles. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or simply indulging in holiday cheer, this recipe will fill your home with delightful aromas and happiness. Let’s dive into the joy of making these beautiful cookies!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookies
This Christmas sugar cookie recipe is beloved by many for several reasons. First, the cookies are incredibly soft, making them a favorite among kids and adults alike. Second, they hold their shape well, making them perfect for intricate cookie decorations. You’ll love how easy it is to whip up a batch of these holiday sugar cookies using simple ingredients. They are perfect for holiday baking, and you can customize them with various toppings like festive sprinkles and icing. Plus, they make excellent gifts for friends and family during the holiday season, embodying the spirit of giving!
Ingredients for Christmas Sugar Cookies
Gather these items:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- Icing and sprinkles for decorating
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until just combined.
- Step 5: Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Step 6: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 7: On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Step 8: Cut out desired Christmas shapes using cookie cutters.
- Step 9: Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Step 10: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Step 11: Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 12: Decorate with icing and sprinkles once fully cooled.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Sugar Cookies
Keep these in mind:
- Ensure butter is softened for better mixing.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the shape when baking.
- Use festive cookie cutters for holiday themes.
- For extra flavor, consider adding almond extract or lemon zest to your dough.
Best Ways to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies
These cookies are perfect for serving at holiday parties or cookie exchanges. You can also gift them to friends and family as homemade Christmas sugar cookies. Consider pairing them with a warm cup of milk or hot cocoa for a delightful treat.
How to Store and Reheat Christmas Sugar Cookies
To store your Christmas sugar cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature. This method is perfect for meal prep during the busy holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Sugar Cookies
What’s the secret to perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies?
The secret lies in ensuring your butter is softened properly and chilling the dough before baking. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much, allowing them to hold their festive shapes beautifully.
Can I make Christmas Sugar Cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for longer storage. This makes it easy to bake fresh cookies when you need them.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Christmas Sugar Cookies?
To avoid mistakes, measure your ingredients accurately. Make sure you chill the dough as directed, and don’t skip the step of letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
Variations of Christmas Sugar Cookies You Can Try
There are many fun variations you can make with this recipe! Try adding food coloring to your dough for colorful festive sugar cookies. You can also create gluten-free Christmas sugar cookies by substituting the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. For a vegan twist, replace the eggs with applesauce or flaxseed meal. Lastly, don’t forget to experiment with different Christmas cookie frosting ideas to create your unique decorative Christmas sugar cookies!
Print
Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies for Holiday Cheer
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Christmas sugar cookies perfect for holiday baking and decorating. These cookies are soft, slightly sweet, and hold their shape well for intricate designs.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- Icing and sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until just combined.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out desired Christmas shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate with icing and sprinkles once fully cooled.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened for better mixing.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the shape when baking.
- Use festive cookie cutters for holiday themes.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Christmas Sugar Cookies, holiday baking, decorated cookies, sugar cookies








