Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe to Spark Holiday Joy

Sweet memories of childhood holidays dance through my kitchen when I mix these classic christmas sugar cookies.

Delicate snowflake shapes and festive sprinkles transform simple ingredients into magical treats.

Soft, buttery dough promises delightful moments of joy and connection.

Crisp edges and tender centers create the perfect textural balance.

Each batch carries whispers of tradition and warmth from generations past.

Baking together becomes a cherished ritual that brings smiles and laughter.

Gather your mixing bowl and let the festive baking adventure begin!

Reasons to Love Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Simple Christmas Sugar Cookies bring festive cheer with minimal effort and maximum delight.
• Mix ingredients in just 15 minutes, with most time spent chilling dough, making this recipe perfect for busy holiday bakers.
• Transform cookie-making into a fun group activity where kids can help cut shapes and decorate, creating memorable moments together.
• Customize cookies with different cookie cutters and decorations, allowing endless creativity for holiday parties, gift-giving, or family gatherings.

Ingredients in Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture. Room temperature butter works best for smooth mixing.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a crisp, golden edge. Granulated white sugar is standard for sugar cookies.

• Egg: Helps bind the dough and adds structure. Use fresh, large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
• Almond Extract: Optional but adds depth of flavor. Use sparingly for a subtle nutty note.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough. Use fresh, sifted flour for smooth texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light. Fresh baking powder ensures good lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine table salt or kosher salt.

How to Bake Christmas Sugar Cookies Like a Pro

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

• Beat softened butter
• Sugar
• Continue mixing until the mixture becomes light and airy

Blend thoroughly until the texture is fluffy and smooth.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)

Mix these ingredients into the butter mixture until completely incorporated.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk dry ingredients separately, then gradually fold into wet mixture. Stir until a soft, cohesive dough forms.

Step 4: Chill Dough

Divide dough into two flat circles. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum one hour or up to two days.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 6: Roll and Cut Cookies

Dust work surface with flour. Roll chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create holiday shapes.

Step 7: Bake Cookies

Transfer cookie shapes onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Finish

Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling before decorating.

Tips for Baking Christmas Sugar Cookies Smoothly

• Maximize Dough Chilling: Keep dough cold to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Perfect Flour Dusting: Lightly dust work surface with flour to prevent sticking without making cookies dry or tough.
• Extract Enhancement: Add almond extract for deeper flavor complexity and subtle aromatic undertones in sugar cookies.
• Customize Decoration: Use royal icing, colored sprinkles, or edible glitter to transform basic sugar cookies into festive masterpieces.
• Precise Baking Time: Watch edges carefully and remove cookies when they're just turning golden to ensure soft, tender texture.

How to Store and Warm Up Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Warm gently in the oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes if you want a slightly crisp texture.
• Add fresh frosting or sprinkles after reheating to restore the cookies' original festive appearance.

What to Serve with Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Warm, spiced red wine complements the sweet sugar cookies perfectly, enhancing their buttery flavor with rich cinnamon and clove notes.
• Rich, creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows provides a delightful contrast to the crisp cookie texture, making each bite more indulgent and comforting.
• Smooth, creamy eggnog with a hint of nutmeg beautifully matches the sugar cookies' sweetness, creating a classic Christmas flavor combination that feels like a warm holiday hug.
• Smooth espresso with vanilla undertones highlights the cookie's delicate sweetness, offering a sophisticated and warming beverage pairing that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Fun Twists for Your Christmas Sugar Cookie Batch

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurement and adding 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, replace egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), and use plant-based vanilla extract.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness and cookie structure.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free butter alternatives like coconut oil or margarine, keeping the same measurements and maintaining the cookie's rich buttery flavor.

Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas sugar cookies bring holiday cheer with their delightful sweetness and playful shapes. Delicate, buttery, and perfectly spiced, these treats connect family traditions while creating joyful memories you’ll cherish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 grams)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decorating Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons meringue powder
• 34 tablespoons water
• Food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious sugar cookie dough by creaming butter and sugar until they transform into a light, airy mixture, achieving a silky smooth texture.
2. Incorporate egg and aromatic extracts (vanilla and optional almond) into the butter mixture, blending until completely integrated.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel, then gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a tender, cohesive dough.
4. Partition the dough into two elegant discs, envelop each in plastic wrap, and allow them to rest and firm up in the refrigerator for a minimum of 60 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
6. Retrieve chilled dough and roll it out on a generously floured surface, aiming for a delicate 1/4-inch thickness that ensures uniform baking.
7. Select festive cookie cutters and carefully transform the dough into whimsical holiday shapes, transferring each delicate cut-out to the prepared baking sheets.
8. Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until the edges develop a gentle golden hue.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a brief 5-minute interval, then migrate them to a wire cooling rack, preparing them for future decoration.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture, creaming it until pale and fluffy creates lighter cookies.
• Avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough; handle gently and minimally for tender, delicate results.
• Experiment with flavor variations by substituting almond extract with orange zest or adding ground cinnamon for festive warmth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 149
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg