Soft Christmas Cookies: The Best Cutout Sugar Cookie Recipe

Do you crave classic, tender soft Christmas cookies during the festive season? Imagine biting into a perfectly soft, buttery cookie, beautifully decorated and full of holiday cheer. This recipe delivers just that! You’ll learn how to make the best cutout sugar cookies, ensuring a delightful and stress-free holiday baking experience.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Cookies

These delightful soft Christmas cookies are a holiday dream come true.

• You’ll achieve that irresistible bakery-style soft texture every single time.
• They are absolutely ideal for festive cookie decorating, holding their shape beautifully.
• The simple, reliable dough is a dream to work with and won’t spread in the oven.
• These cookies are perfect for holiday gifting, cookie exchanges, or sharing with loved ones.
• Enjoy the classic flavor and nostalgic appeal that brings everyone joy.

Ingredients

To make these wonderful soft Christmas cookies, gather these simple items.

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (or reduce to ¼ teaspoon for a more subtle flavor)
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for icing)
• 3-4 tablespoons milk (for icing)
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (for icing)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
• Gel food coloring, optional (for icing)

Notes & Substitutions

Baking experts, like those at Sally’s Baking Addiction, emphasize that room temperature ingredients are essential for proper emulsion and texture. Using salted butter at room temperature is crucial for the perfect consistency and flavor; it creams beautifully with sugar. Room temperature eggs combine more smoothly with the butter mixture, ensuring a homogenous dough. Feel free to swap almond extract for lemon zest or a touch of nutmeg for different flavor profiles. When measuring flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off to avoid a dense cookie. For icing, you can use lemon juice instead of milk for a brighter flavor, or skip the corn syrup for a less shiny finish.

Equipment

You won’t need anything fancy to whip up these delicious cookies.

• Large mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Rubber spatula
• Rolling pin
• Parchment paper or silicone mats
• Baking sheets
• Christmas cookie cutters
• Wire cooling racks

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to bake a batch of perfect soft Christmas cookies.

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the large eggs to the creamed mixture, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully combined.
4. Incorporate Extracts: Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract. Mix until they are fully incorporated into the dough.
5. Form Dough: Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
6. Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Place each portion on a piece of lightly-floured parchment paper or a lightly-floured silicone mat. With a lightly-floured rolling pin, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. If the dough seems sticky, use a little more flour. Lightly dust the top of the dough with flour, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or even overnight. Understanding the science behind baking, King Arthur Baking explains that chilling cookie dough solidifies fats and controls spread. This chilling step is vital for preventing spread and ensuring your soft Christmas cookies hold their shape.
7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
8. Cut Cookies: Carefully remove one portion of the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired festive shapes.
9. Arrange and Chill: Arrange the cut shapes about 2-3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. You can re-roll the dough scraps to cut out additional cookies, but ensure you re-chill the cut-out dough on the baking sheets in the fridge or freezer for at least 10 minutes before baking. This extra chill helps the dough firm up again, preventing the cookies from spreading in the oven.
10. Bake Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking if you want truly soft Christmas cookies.
11. Cool Completely: Allow the baked cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before you begin decorating.
12. Prepare Icing: To prepare the optional icing, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls and mix in gel food coloring to create vibrant colors for decorating.
13. Decorate Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cool, apply the icing and any desired decorations. Let the icing set completely before stacking or storing.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

These tips will help you perfect your soft Christmas cookies.

• Preventing Spread: Always chill your dough for at least 1-2 hours. Additionally, ensure your baking sheets and rolled dough are cold before baking. Proper flour measurement also prevents excessive spread.
• Achieving Softness: Bake your cookies until just lightly golden on the edges, not heavily browned. An oven thermometer ensures accurate temperature, which is key for a tender bake.
• Even Thickness: Roll your dough uniformly to ¼-inch thickness. This ensures all your cookies bake evenly, preventing some from being too crisp and others too doughy.
• Dough Stickiness: If your dough feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s manageable. Chilling it longer also helps firm it up.
• Decorating Tricks: Use piping bags with small tips for intricate designs. Gel food coloring provides rich, vibrant colors without thinning your icing too much.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Enjoy your delightful soft Christmas cookies in many ways!

• Serving Suggestions: Serve these festive cookies with a warm mug of hot cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or alongside your morning coffee. They are perfect for holiday parties or a quiet evening treat.
• Storage: Store your baked and decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: You can freeze undecorated baked cookies for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before decorating. Decorated cookies can also be frozen, but do so in a single layer on a tray first until the icing is firm, then transfer to a container.
• Freezing Dough: Raw dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting.
• Flavor Variations: Add orange or lemon zest to the dough for a bright citrus note. Incorporate a pinch of ground cardamom or cinnamon for a spiced cookie. Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or coconut for unique flavors.
• Icing Variations: For a firmer finish, try a classic royal icing. If you prefer a richer taste, a simple cream cheese frosting can also be delicious, though it needs refrigeration.

Nutrition

Here’s a general nutritional breakdown for these soft Christmas cookies.

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary widely based on exact ingredients, brands, and serving size of homemade cookies.

FAQ

Got questions about making these delightful soft Christmas cookies? We have answers!

• Why are my cookies spreading? Your dough might not be cold enough or you might have used too much butter or too little flour. Ensure your dough is properly chilled and your flour is measured accurately.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it wrapped tightly in the refrigerator. This is a great time-saver.
• How do I make these cookies gluten-free? You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum.
• What if I don’t have almond extract? You can simply omit it and use 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract instead. The cookies will still be delicious.
• How long do soft Christmas cookies last? When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for about 5-7 days.
• Can I use unsalted butter? Yes, you can. Just add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients to balance the flavor.

Conclusion

Baking these soft Christmas cookies is a truly rewarding experience, filling your home with wonderful aromas and creating cherished memories. Their tender texture and classic flavor make them an irresistible treat for the holiday season. Make this easy-to-follow recipe a cherished part of your family’s traditions. Get ready to bake, decorate, and share the joy with everyone you love!

Soft Christmas Cookies: The Best Cutout Sugar Cookie Recipe

These soft Christmas cookies are buttery, festive, and perfect for decorating! They hold their shape beautifully and stay irresistibly tender — the ultimate holiday treat for baking, gifting, and cookie exchanges.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Dessert, Holiday

Cuisine: American, Christmas

Calories: 135

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (or 1/4 tsp for milder flavor)
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for icing)
• 3-4 tbsp milk (for icing)
• 2 tbsp light corn syrup (for icing)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for icing)
• gel food coloring, optional

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Rolling Pin
• parchment paper or silicone mats
• Baking sheets
• christmas cookie cutters
• wire cooling racks

Method

 

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and granulated sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Then add vanilla and almond extract.
4. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix.
5. Divide dough into 2 portions. Roll each to 1/4 inch thickness on floured parchment. Cover and chill for 1–2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Cut chilled dough with cookie cutters. Arrange on baking sheets and chill again 10+ minutes before baking.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
9. Mix powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla to make icing. Divide and color with food gel if desired.
10. Decorate cooled cookies with icing. Let icing dry fully before stacking or storing.

Notes

Be sure to chill the dough for at least 1–2 hours to prevent spread. For a flavor twist, try lemon or orange zest. When decorating, let icing dry fully before stacking. Gel food coloring works best for vibrant icing without altering consistency.

Taya Bennett

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