Christmas Cookies Recipe
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Christmas Cookies Recipe
Savor the comfort of homemade delights with our classic christmas cookies, crafted from simple pantry staples like flour, butter, and sugar. These festive treats embody the heart of holiday baking, requiring just a bit of patience for chilling and rolling. They are the perfect edible canvas for your seasonal creativity, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or leaving out for Santa.
There is a certain magic in the ritual of holiday baking that transports me back to my childhood kitchen. The scent of vanilla and butter warming in the oven is as much a part of the season as twinkling lights. I love setting aside an afternoon to bake these cookies with my family, pairing the sweet, buttery results with a warm cup of tea, much like I would with my favorite churro cheesecake. This tradition creates cherished memories, and these classic holiday cookies often share the platter with other seasonal favorites, such as delightful cranberry orange cookies.
Why These Christmas Cookies Steal the Show
- Made From Scratch Flavor: Simple, high-quality ingredients create a rich, buttery taste that store-bought versions can’t match.
- Fun for the Whole Family: From rolling the dough to decorating, baking these holiday cookies is an engaging activity for all ages.
- Perfect for Gifting: These beautiful sugar cookies make heartfelt, homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, and friends.
- Make-Ahead Magic: The dough can be chilled days in advance, making your festive baking schedule flexible and stress-free.
What You’ll Need for Perfect Christmas Cookies
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, giving structure to your cut-out cookies.
- Baking powder: Provides a slight lift, ensuring your cookies are tender and not too dense.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Creates a rich flavor and creamy texture when creamed with the sugar.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve that light, fluffy texture when creamed.
- Large egg, room temperature: Binds the ingredients together for a cohesive dough.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, classic aroma that defines these timeless festive cookies.
Classic Christmas Cookies
Make classic Christmas cookies with this easy recipe. Soft sugar cookies perfect for decorating with festive icing and holiday cookie cutters. Perfect for holiday baking!
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- measuring spoons
- knife
- cutting board
- electric mixer
- whisk
- plastic wrap
- oven
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- cookie cutters
- wire rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened, 2 sticks
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the 1 large egg, ensuring it is at room temperature for better incorporation, until it is fully combined with the butter and sugar mixture. Then, stir in the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well blended.
- Gradually add the reserved dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in the large bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days. This chilling step is crucial for firming up the dough, making it easier to roll and preventing the cookies from spreading excessively during baking.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to an even ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft.
- Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, they are ready for decorating with frosting or serving as is.
Notes
Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies soft. Chilling the dough is crucial for easy rolling and to prevent spreading.
Creative Holiday Cookie Variations
- Citrus Twist: Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the dough for a bright, refreshing flavor.
- Spiced Sugar Cookie: Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg with the dry ingredients.
- Almond Flavored: Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a delightful nutty taste.
My Pro Tips for Cookie Perfection
- Proper Chilling: Do not skip the chill time, as it prevents the cookies from spreading and makes rolling easier.
- Even Thickness: Use rolling guides on your pin to ensure uniform dough thickness for consistent baking.
- Flour Your Tools: Lightly flour your rolling pin and cutters to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Watch the Clock: Bake until the edges are just golden for a soft texture; overbaking leads to crisp cookies. For another recipe where timing is crucial, check out my brown butter chocolate cookies.
How to Store Your Festive Cookies
- Store: Keep decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze: Freeze undecorated, baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Freeze Dough: You can also freeze the dough discs, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before rolling.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare and chill the dough up to 2 days ahead, so you can bake fresh cookies on demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Christmas cookies tough?
Tough cookies are often the result of overmixing the dough after adding the flour. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Using a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend can also sometimes affect texture if not handled gently.
How do you keep Christmas cookies soft?
The key to soft cookies is not overbaking them. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just set and lightly golden. Storing them in an airtight container once completely cool will also help retain their softness.
Can I make Christmas cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. This dough is perfect for making ahead. Wrap the discs tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for longer storage. This makes holiday preparation much more manageable.
What is the best way to decorate Christmas cookies?
For a simple approach, a royal icing or a powdered sugar glaze works beautifully. You can also sprinkle colored sugars or nonpareils on the cookies before baking for an easy, festive touch.
More Holiday Treats You’ll Adore
Bake These Christmas Cookies Tonight
With their classic buttery flavor and endless decorating possibilities, these christmas cookies are sure to become a treasured part of your holiday traditions. The simple joy of baking and sharing these homemade treats is a gift in itself. I hope this recipe brings as much warmth and happiness to your kitchen as it has to mine.
