Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year for baking! Get ready to create delightful Christmas butter cookies that are simple to make and incredibly festive. This recipe promises a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of tang from cream cheese. You’ll find these easy Christmas butter cookies come together quickly, making them a fantastic treat for beginners and busy bakers alike. Prepare to fill your home with holiday cheer!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
This festive Christmas butter cookies recipe will become a holiday favorite. It simplifies baking without compromising on flavor or texture.
- Simple, Common Ingredients: You likely have most items in your pantry already.
- Quick and Easy to Make: Perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute gifts.
- Perfect for Holiday Platters: These colorful cookies brighten any festive spread.
- Fun, Family-Friendly Baking Activity: Kids will love rolling the dough and adding sprinkles.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adapt flavors and decorations for any occasion.
- Soft, Chewy, Melt-in-Your-Mouth: Experience the ultimate tender cookie experience.
- Yields a Generous Batch: Plenty to share with friends, family, and Santa!
Ingredients
To make these wonderful Christmas butter cookies, you will need a few simple items. This recipe combines classic baking staples with a surprising shortcut for fantastic results.
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup, softened to room temperature. This provides richness and helps with texture.
- Cream Cheese: 1 package (8 oz), softened. Adds a tender crumb and a slight tang.
- Egg: 1 large. Binds the ingredients and adds moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. Enhances all the sweet flavors.
- White Cake Mix: 1 package (standard size). The secret to quick, consistent cookies.
- Christmas Sprinkles: 1/2 cup, divided. For festive color and fun.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: 1/2 cup. Creates that classic crinkly, sweet coating.
Notes & Substitutions
- Butter: Always use unsalted butter and make sure it is properly softened. As explained by baking experts, softened butter is crucial for the texture of cookies as it allows for proper air incorporation. This is crucial for achieving the perfect soft texture in your Christmas butter cookies.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the richest flavor and best cookie consistency.
- Egg: Bring the egg to room temperature before mixing. It integrates more smoothly into the dough.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract offers the best, most authentic flavor profile.
- Cake Mix: White or yellow cake mix works wonderfully. Avoid mixes that contain pudding in the ingredients.
- Sprinkles: Use festive red, green, or holiday-themed sprinkles. Jimmies or nonpareils hold up best during baking.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: This sugar is essential for rolling. It ensures a beautiful crackled appearance and a lovely sweet crust on your cookies.
Equipment
Gathering your tools before you start makes baking smoother. You’ll need just a few common kitchen items for these easy Christmas butter cookies.
- Electric stand mixer or hand mixer.
- Large mixing bowl.
- Rubber spatula.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Baking sheets.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Small cookie scoop (1-inch).
- Wire cooling rack.
Instructions
Creating these delightful Christmas butter cookies is straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect results every time. Remember, precise measurements and proper chilling are key to success.
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Begin by preparing your dough for these fantastic Christmas butter cookies. Proper mixing ensures a tender and flavorful cookie.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix on low speed until they are just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Do not overmix at this stage.
- Gradually beat in the dry white cake mix, a little at a time, until it is fully blended into the wet ingredients. Continue mixing until a cohesive dough forms. The dough will be soft.
- Gently fold in 1/4 cup of your chosen Christmas sprinkles using a rubber spatula. Mix just until the sprinkles are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling is essential to prevent spreading and ensures your Christmas butter cookies hold their shape beautifully. You can chill the dough for up to overnight if preferred.
Baking the Cookies
Now it’s time to bake your beautiful Christmas butter cookies. Get ready to enjoy that amazing holiday aroma!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Use a small cookie scoop (about 1-inch in diameter) to portion out rounded tablespoons of dough.
- Roll each scoop of dough between your palms to form smooth 1-inch balls. This ensures even baking and a consistent appearance.
- In a shallow bowl, place the remaining 1/4 cup of Christmas sprinkles. In another shallow bowl, add the 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar.
- First, roll each dough ball lightly in the Christmas sprinkles to adhere some color to the outside. Then, immediately roll each sprinkle-coated ball generously in the confectioner’s sugar, ensuring it is completely covered. The thick coating of sugar helps create that signature crinkled texture.
- Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. This spacing allows the cookies to spread slightly without touching during baking.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set and the cookies look puffed and slightly crinkled, but the centers still appear soft. Do not overbake; these cookies are best when slightly underbaked for ultimate tenderness.
- Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the cookies rest on the hot sheets for 2 minutes before attempting to move them. This allows them to set fully without breaking.
- Carefully transfer the partially cooled Christmas butter cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy the irresistible aroma!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve bakery-quality results with your Christmas butter cookies by following these expert tips. Knowing how to avoid common pitfalls will make your baking experience smooth and successful.
For Perfect Christmas Butter Cookies
- Ensure all dairy is softened properly: Room temperature butter and cream cheese cream together smoothly, creating an airy base.
- Do not overmix cake mix: Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tougher cookies. Mix just until combined.
- Chilling dough prevents spreading: Cold dough holds its shape better in the oven, giving you thick, chewy cookies.
- Uniform balls ensure even baking: Use a scoop for consistent cookie size and bake time.
- Coat thickly in confectioner’s sugar: A generous coating creates the classic crackled exterior and a beautiful contrast.
- Bake just until edges are set: The cookies should still look slightly soft in the center for the best chewy texture.
- Cool completely for best texture: The texture of these Christmas butter cookies improves as they cool and set.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using cold butter or cream cheese: This will result in a lumpy dough and can affect the final texture. Plan ahead to let them soften.
- Skipping the crucial chilling time: Unchilled dough will spread excessively, leading to thin, crispy cookies instead of soft, chewy ones.
- Over-baking: This is the most common mistake. Over-baked cookies become dry and lose their melt-in-your-mouth quality. Watch for just set edges.
- Not enough confectioner’s sugar coating: A skimpy coating won’t give you the beautiful crackles and sweet crust these cookies are known for.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
These delightful Christmas butter cookies are versatile for any holiday occasion. Learn how to serve them best, store them properly, and even try fun variations to keep things exciting.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these tender cookies warm alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa for a cozy treat.
- Arrange them beautifully on holiday cookie platters, adding a pop of festive color to your spread.
- Pair them with a fresh cup of coffee or your favorite herbal tea for a pleasant afternoon snack.
- Package the Christmas butter cookies in decorative tins or bags to give as thoughtful edible holiday gifts.
Storage Instructions
- Store baked cookies: Keep your baked Christmas butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. According to the USDA, homemade cookies can be stored for several weeks at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked cookies: For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Freeze raw dough balls: Roll the dough into balls, coat in sprinkles and confectioner’s sugar, then freeze on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Recipe Variations
- Different Cake Mix Flavors: Experiment with other different cake mix flavors like chocolate, red velvet, lemon, or funfetti for a different twist on your Christmas butter cookies.
- Alternative Add-ins: Stir in mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), or dried cranberries or cherries for extra flavor and texture.
- Extra Festive Touches: After baking and cooling, drizzle your cookies with melted white chocolate, dust with edible glitter, or sprinkle with colored sugar for an elegant finish. You can also top them with a festive candy like a red and green M&M before baking.
Nutrition
Understanding the nutritional content of your homemade treats can be helpful. Here is an estimated breakdown for one of these delightful Christmas butter cookies.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 cookie |
| Calories | 109 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 18 mg |
| Sodium | 121 mg |
| Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
Disclaimer: All nutritional values are estimates only and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods. This information is not intended as medical advice.
FAQ
Got questions about making these simple holiday treats? Here are some common queries about our Christmas butter cookies.
- Can I use a different flavor of cake mix? Yes, yellow cake mix or any complementary flavor like chocolate or lemon works well in this recipe.
- Why are my cookies not gooey? Your cookies were likely overbaked; reduce the baking time by a minute or two next time for a gooier result.
- Can I make these dairy-free? Yes, you can substitute vegan butter and vegan cream cheese to create a dairy-free version of these festive cookies.
- How long should I chill the dough? Chill the dough for a minimum of 1 hour, but you can certainly chill it overnight for convenience.
- Are these cookies good for shipping? Yes, their soft yet sturdy texture makes these Christmas butter cookies excellent candidates for shipping as holiday gifts.
- What type of sprinkles work best? Jimmies or nonpareils are ideal for this recipe as they hold their color and shape well during baking.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, the prepared dough can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
You now have the perfect recipe for simple, incredibly delicious Christmas butter cookies. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture, festive appearance, and easy preparation, these cookies are truly a holiday baking dream come true. You will love how quickly they come together, making them ideal for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying with your family. Go ahead, bake a batch of these wonderful Christmas butter cookies and fill your home with the joyful spirit of the season! We can’t wait to hear how much you love them!
Easy Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until they are just combined with the creamed mixture.
- Gradually beat in the white cake mix until the dough is fully blended and uniform.
- Gently stir 1/4 cup of the sprinkles into the prepared cookie dough.
- Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow it to firm up.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and prepare a cookie sheet by greasing it or lining with parchment paper.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough and roll each portion into a 1-inch ball.
- Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles over the tops of the dough balls, then roll each ball in confectioner’s sugar until completely coated.
- Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then let the cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Emily Thompson is a home cook and food enthusiast who believes that great meals bring families together. She loves exploring creative twists on classic American comfort food, always testing new ideas in her kitchen. Emily is passionate about sharing simple, practical recipes and time-saving tips to help busy people enjoy cooking at home. Her approachable style makes every dish accessible, delicious, and perfect for those seeking inspiration for everyday meals and special occasions. Find Emily’s latest creations and kitchen wisdom on yumeasymeals.com.
