Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe: Soft, Sweet, and Perfect for Decorating

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies filling the house during the holiday season. These classic Christmas sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with your favorite frosting and sprinkles. Whether you're making them with family, gifting them to friends, or simply enjoying them with a warm cup of cocoa, these cookies will add a little extra sweetness to your holiday celebrations.

Here’s the perfect sugar cookie recipe to make your Christmas even more special!

Ingredients:

For the sugar cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp almond extract (optional, but it adds a nice flavor!)

• ¼ tsp salt

• 3-4 tbsp milk (if needed to adjust dough consistency)

For the royal icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 egg white or 2 tbsp meringue powder

• 2-3 tbsp warm water

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Food coloring (optional)

  
  

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure that your cookies don’t stick during baking.

2. Mix the dry ingredients:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.

3. Cream the butter and sugar:

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

4. Add the egg and extracts:

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients:

Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The dough should be soft but not too sticky. If the dough seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it comes together.

6. Chill the dough:

Once your dough is ready, divide it into two portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking and makes them easier to roll out.

7. Roll out the dough:

Once chilled, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes like stars, trees, snowflakes, or even gingerbread men.

8. Bake the cookies:

Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each one. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake them — they’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet once you remove them from the oven.

9. Cool the cookies:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

10. Make the royal icing:

While the cookies cool, make the royal icing by combining the powdered sugar, egg white (or meringue powder), warm water, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Whisk until the icing is smooth and forms stiff peaks. If the icing is too thick, add a little more water; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

11. Decorate the cookies:

Once the cookies have cooled, you can start decorating! You can use the royal icing to pipe outlines or fill in designs. If you want to color the icing, divide it into separate bowls and add food coloring to each one. You can also sprinkle colored sugar or edible glitter for some extra holiday sparkle.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies:

• Chill the dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the dough firm up and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

• Roll evenly: Use a rolling pin with adjustable rings to ensure your dough is rolled to an even thickness. This helps the cookies bake more evenly.

• Use quality extracts: The vanilla and almond extracts are what give these cookies their signature flavor. Choose pure extracts for the best taste.

• Decorating fun: Get creative with the decorations! You can use sprinkles, colored sugars, or even edible pearls to make your cookies festive. If you don’t want to use royal icing, you can also top the cookies with buttercream frosting.

• Cookie storage: These sugar cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, they freeze well — just layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

  
  

Why These Cookies are Perfect for Christmas:

These Christmas sugar cookies are not only delicious but also a perfect canvas for your holiday creativity. The soft, buttery texture makes them a joy to eat, while the simple, sweet flavor pairs wonderfully with any frosting or sprinkle you choose. Whether you’re decorating them with the kids, hosting a holiday cookie exchange, or simply enjoying them with a hot cup of tea, these sugar cookies are sure to become a family favorite.

So, gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer, one sweet cookie at a time!

Merry Christmas and happy baking!