The holiday season calls for cozy traditions, and nothing says festive cheer quite like homemade cookies. This classic christmas sugar cookie recipe is your perfect starting point for creating beautiful, delicious treats that capture the spirit of the season. Sweet Emily brings you a simple, beginner-friendly guide to baking sugar cookies that are not only easy to make but also ideal for decorating. Get ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of holiday magic and make cherished memories with every batch.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
This isn’t just any cookie; it’s the ultimate base for all your holiday decorating dreams! This delightful christmas cookie recipe ensures your holiday baking is both simple and rewarding.
- Perfectly holds festive shapes without spreading, making your cut-outs crisp and defined.
- Follow a simple, straightforward baking process perfect for beginners and busy parents.
- Enjoy a delightfully buttery and tender taste that melts in your mouth with every bite.
- It’s an excellent canvas for creative decorating, from simple sprinkles to intricate royal icing designs.
- These cookies make wonderful homemade gifts, adding a personal touch to your holiday hampers.
- Baking them is a fun, engaging activity for families, creating lasting memories together.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for this delightful christmas cookie recipe. Precision matters, but don’t worry, it’s all straightforward!
- Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour: The foundation providing cookie structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives a slight lift for tenderness.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature: Essential for richness and proper creaming.
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar: Creates crisp edges and sweet flavor.
- 1 large egg, room temperature: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: The star flavor, making cookies irresistible.
Notes & Substitutions
- Butter: Use unsalted butter to control salt. If using salted, reduce added salt to 1/4 tsp.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar ensures classic crisp edges and tender interior, perfect for decorating.
- Vanilla Extract: Good quality pure vanilla extract truly enhances the final taste of your cookies.
- Flour: Measure correctly by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling. Too much flour means tough, dry cookies.
- Baking Powder: Ensure fresh baking powder for proper lift and a light texture.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes baking a breeze! You’ll need:
- A stand mixer with a paddle attachment or hand mixer.
- Large mixing bowls for wet and dry ingredients.
- A rolling pin to flatten your dough.
- Your favorite christmas cookie cutters.
- Baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- A wire cooling rack.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your perfect christmas cookie recipe.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl with your stand mixer (or hand mixer), cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed for this easy christmas cookie recipe.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually Add Dry to Wet: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be soft. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill Dough: 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. Chilling is crucial for easy rolling and preventing spread.
- Preheat Oven & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. If the dough gets too warm, return it to the fridge.
- Cut Out Shapes: Use your favorite christmas cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes. Reroll scraps gently, combine, and chill again if needed.
- Transfer to Sheets: Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Baking time will vary depending on cookie size and oven.
- Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be fully cool before decorating.
- Decorate (Optional): Once cool, decorate your cookies! For a simple vanilla glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle or spread over these delightful treats.
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies
Elevate your baking game with these expert tips!
- Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill Dough Thoroughly: Cold dough is easier to handle and prevents spreading, ensuring your shapes stay defined. Research on the science behind chilling cookie dough confirms it helps the fat solidify, leading to less spread and better texture.
- Lightly Flour Surfaces: Use just enough flour to prevent sticking when rolling, not so much that it changes the dough’s consistency.
- Maintain Consistent Thickness: Roll the dough to an even 1/4-inch for uniform baking and texture.
- Monitor Baking Closely: Ovens vary, so watch for lightly golden edges, which indicate doneness without overbaking.
- Decorate When Cool: Always wait until your christmas cookies are completely cool before decorating to avoid melting or smearing.
- High-Quality Extracts: Invest in good vanilla and any other extracts for superior flavor in your delicious christmas cookie recipe.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange your decorated christmas sugar cookies on festive platters.
- Serve these festive christmas cookies with milk, hot cocoa, or coffee.
- It’s important to follow food safety guidelines when preparing homemade gifts to ensure they are safe and enjoyable for everyone.
- Ideal for cookie exchanges or wonderful homemade gifts.
Storage
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature.
- Freeze raw dough (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months; thaw in fridge before use.
Variations
- Flavor: Add almond, lemon, or peppermint extract with vanilla.
- Spices: Incorporate cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a spiced christmas cookie recipe.
- Decorations: Try royal icing, colored sugar, or sprinkles for your ultimate christmas cookie recipe customization!
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Vegan: Substitute butter with plant-based stick butter and egg with a flax egg.
Nutrition
Knowing your nutrition is important! Here’s an estimate for one undecorated christmas sugar cookie. While these festive treats are meant for enjoyment, it’s good to be aware of the values. Please note that these figures are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients, brand choices, and actual portion sizes. They do not include any icing or decorations.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 80mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
FAQ
Have questions about this christmas cookie recipe? We have answers!
- Why is chilling the dough important? Chilling firms the butter, which prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also makes the dough much easier to roll and cut, ensuring beautiful shapes.
- How far in advance can I make the dough? You can prepare and chill the dough for up to 2 days in the refrigerator, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- What prevents cookies from spreading too much? Proper chilling of the dough, not overmixing, and maintaining an even dough thickness are key to preventing excessive spreading.
- What are the best decorating techniques? Simple glazes, royal icing for intricate designs, or even just sprinkles and colored sugars are all great options for decorating.
- Can I use whole wheat flour? While you can, whole wheat flour will change the texture and flavor significantly, making the cookies denser. It’s best to stick with all-purpose flour for this classic recipe.
Conclusion
This christmas cookie recipe isn’t just about baking; it’s about crafting joy and creating cherished holiday memories. With Sweet Emily’s simple, beginner-friendly guide, you’ve unlocked the secret to perfect sugar cookies that are as fun to make as they are delicious to eat. Embrace the festive spirit, gather your loved ones, and let the aroma of freshly baked cookies fill your home. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe for Festive Decorating
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Scrape down bowl as needed.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet on low speed until just combined. Dough will be soft.
- Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough on floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
- Transfer cookies to baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool 5 minutes on pan, then transfer to wire rack.
- Once cooled, decorate with icing or sprinkles as desired.
Notes
Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com
