Every December, my kitchen turns into a little cookie workshop. The smell of butter and vanilla fills the air, and soft laughter drifts from the living room. These Christmas sugar cookies are more than a treat—they’re tradition. Buttery, tender, and perfectly shaped for decorating, they’re the kind you bake once and remember all year.
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Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sugar Cookies
You’ll love how easy these cookies are to make. The dough rolls out smoothly, cuts cleanly, and doesn’t need any chilling. The edges stay crisp, while the centers bake up soft and buttery. They hold their shape beautifully, so every snowflake or tree looks just as festive as you imagined. Plus, you can freeze the dough or baked cookies ahead of time, which makes holiday prep even simpler.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Butter (1 cup, softened): Gives these cookies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
Sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps the cookies bake to a soft golden edge.
Egg (1 large): Binds the ingredients and adds tenderness.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Brings that warm, familiar flavor we all love.
Flour (3 cups, all-purpose): Forms the base of the dough.
Baking powder (1 Tbsp, aluminum-free): Keeps the texture light without any aftertaste.
Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
Always use room-temperature butter for smooth mixing, and make sure your baking powder is fresh to help the cookies rise evenly.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
Step 1 – Preheat and Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the rack in the center. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, then blend until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients in thirds, mixing gently until a soft dough forms.
Step 2 – Roll and Cut
Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface or parchment, roll each half to about 1/4 inch thick. Use festive cookie cutters—stars, trees, snowmen—to cut out shapes. If the dough sticks, sprinkle a touch of flour or roll between parchment sheets.
Step 3 – Bake to Perfection
Place cookies one inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Step 4 – Cool and Decorate
Once cooled completely, let the fun begin. Decorate with royal icing, colorful sprinkles, or crushed candy canes. If using frosting, allow it to harden fully before storing or stacking.
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies
Use Properly Softened Butter
Butter should be soft enough to press with your finger but never melted. Too soft, and the dough becomes sticky.
Avoid Overmixing the Dough
Stop mixing as soon as everything comes together. Overmixing creates dense cookies instead of soft ones.
Get the Right Thickness
Roll dough evenly to 1/4 inch thick for the best texture and even baking.
Keep Dough Smooth, Not Crumbly
If the dough feels dry, add 1/2 tablespoon of water or milk. It should be smooth and pliable, not stiff or sticky.
Watch the Bake Time
Check early. You want edges just golden—not brown. This keeps the centers soft and buttery.
Storage and Freezing Guide
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them (baked or unbaked) for up to two months. If freezing dough, wrap tightly in plastic and thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling. Decorated cookies should dry completely before freezing to preserve their design.
Decorating Ideas for Christmas Sugar Cookies
Have fun with your designs. Try outlining shapes with royal icing, then flooding with thinner icing for a smooth finish. Add colored sugar, sprinkles, or even tiny edible pearls. Kids love adding crushed candy canes on top for extra crunch. If you enjoy baking for every season, you might also love these patriotic sugar cookie bars for festive gatherings or the chewy pumpkin cookies for fall and winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sugar cookies a Christmas thing?
Yes, sugar cookies have become a Christmas favorite because they’re fun to decorate and share. They’re also easy to bake in large batches for gatherings and gifts.
Why do people love sugar cookies?
They’re buttery, simple, and endlessly customizable. You can decorate them for any occasion, which makes them a staple during the holidays.
What is the meaning of Christmas cookies?
Christmas cookies symbolize sharing, warmth, and togetherness. They’re a way to bring family and friends closer during the season.
What is a sugar cookie called?
It’s simply called a sugar cookie, though in some regions, you might hear them referred to as butter cookies or cut-out cookies.
More Such Recipes
- peppermint bark brownies for the holidays
- chocolate crinkle cookies recipe
- classic snickerdoodle cookies
- lemon crinkle cookies with bright flavor
- butter pecan cookies recipe
Conclusion
Baking Christmas sugar cookies is more than a recipe—it’s a holiday ritual. From rolling the dough to adding the last sprinkle of sugar, every step carries the spirit of the season. So, put on your favorite carols, preheat the oven, and start baking. You’ll end up with golden cookies and maybe a few memories that warm your kitchen every year. For more festive ideas, follow along on Pinterest or visit us on Facebook.
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Christmas Sugar Cookies – Easy, Soft & Festive Treats
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 40 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery Christmas sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly for decorating. No chilling required and ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for beginners and holiday bakers alike.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy, then mix in egg and vanilla until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients in thirds, mixing until fully incorporated.
5. Divide dough in half and roll each portion on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
6. Cut shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to a parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, or until edges are just turning golden.
8. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
Ensure butter is softened but not melted to avoid sticky dough.
Roll dough on parchment or a silicone mat for easier transfer.
Dough should be smooth, not crumbly; if needed, add 1/2 tablespoon of water or milk.
Avoid overmixing and overbaking to maintain soft texture.
Larger cookies may need slightly longer baking.
Let frosting harden before storing decorated cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 96
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 20