Name: Festive & Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Sugar Cookies:; 2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; ½ tsp almond extract (optional); For the Royal Icing (Optional for Decoration):; 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted; 2 tbsp meringue powder or 1 egg white; 4 tbsp warm water (adjust for consistency); Food coloring (gel or liquid); Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar

Nothing captures the warmth and joy of the holiday season quite like a batch of freshly baked Christmas sugar cookies. Their sweet aroma fills the air, and their soft texture paired with colorful decorations makes them a timeless holiday favorite. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing gifts for friends, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies are the perfect way to bring festive cheer to your kitchen.

This recipe combines buttery flavor, tender texture, and just the right amount of sweetness. The dough is simple to work with—ideal for rolling and cutting into classic holiday shapes like stars, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. With a smooth royal icing or a simple butter glaze, these cookies look as beautiful as they taste. Best of all, they’re easy to make and decorate, even for beginners.

Ingredients

This recipe makes about 30 medium-sized cookies.

For the Sugar Cookies:

2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract (optional for extra flavor)

For the Royal Icing (Optional for Decoration):

2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted
2 tbsp meringue powder or 1 egg white
4 tbsp warm water (adjust for consistency)
Food coloring (gel or liquid)
Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. This ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed and prevents clumps in your dough. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the butter and sugar for about 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. The creaming process helps trap air, giving your cookies a soft and tender crumb.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Flavorings

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything mixes evenly.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, one-third at a time. Mix until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of flour.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Chilling is crucial—it firms the dough, making it easier to roll and helping the cookies keep their shape during baking.

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out one dough disc at a time to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into festive shapes such as stars, trees, bells, and snowflakes. Transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 1 inch apart.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Keep a close eye on them—overbaking can make them dry and hard. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare the Icing (Optional)

While the cookies cool, make the royal icing. In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat on medium speed for 4–5 minutes until glossy and thick. Add more water, a teaspoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency—thicker for outlining, thinner for flooding. Divide into small bowls and add food coloring as desired.

Step 9: Decorate

Once the cookies are fully cooled, pipe or spread icing over each one. Add sprinkles or colored sugar before the icing sets. Let the decorated cookies dry at room temperature for at least 2 hours before stacking or storing.

Conservation and Storage

To keep your Christmas sugar cookies fresh and delicious:

At Room Temperature:
Store undecorated or iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
In the Refrigerator:
If your kitchen is warm, store them in the fridge for up to 1 week. Let them return to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
In the Freezer:
Freeze baked, undecorated cookies in airtight containers or zip-top bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before icing. You can also freeze cookie dough discs for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking.

Variations

1. Classic Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Stick with the base recipe for a traditional flavor profile. Add a touch of lemon or orange zest for brightness.

2. Spiced Sugar Cookies

Add ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, and ⅛ tsp ginger to the dry ingredients for a warm, festive twist.

3. Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Replace ½ cup (65 g) of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder to create a rich chocolate variation. Pair with white icing for a striking contrast.

4. Brown Sugar Cookies

Substitute half the granulated sugar with light brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like flavor and slightly chewier texture.

5. Gluten-Free Version

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Check that your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

6. Vegan Option

Replace butter with vegan margarine and the egg with 1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water. Chill the dough a bit longer before rolling.

Serving Suggestions

Christmas sugar cookies are as versatile as they are beautiful. Here’s how to serve them for maximum impact:

Holiday Cookie Platters:
Arrange them with gingerbread cookies, shortbread, and chocolate crinkles for a festive assortment.
Gift Giving:
Package them in decorative tins, jars, or boxes lined with parchment paper. Add a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Dessert Table:
Pair them with mugs of hot cocoa, eggnog, or coffee for a cozy winter dessert spread.
Cookie Decorating Party:
Set up bowls of icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Let guests or kids decorate their own cookies—it’s fun and interactive.
Frozen Treats:
Crumble leftover cookies into ice cream or use them as garnish for holiday milkshakes.

Tips for Perfecting Your Christmas Sugar Cookies

Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Soft butter and room-temp egg blend better for a smooth dough.
Chill the Dough: Prevents spreading and ensures clean, defined shapes.
Don’t Overmix: Mix just until the flour disappears to avoid tough cookies.
Roll Evenly: Use rolling pin guides or dowels to maintain consistent thickness.
Keep Cutter Clean: Dip cookie cutters in flour between cuts for crisp edges.
Cool Completely Before Decorating: Warm cookies will cause icing to melt and run.
Adjust Icing Consistency: Thick for outlines, thin for filling.
Decorate in Layers: Let base icing dry before adding details for professional-looking cookies.

Conclusion

These Festive & Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of buttery sweetness and holiday charm. They’re fun to bake, easy to decorate, and universally loved by kids and adults alike. From simple vanilla stars to intricately iced snowflakes, each cookie becomes a little piece of edible art.

With a few simple ingredients and some creative decoration, you can make a batch that’s both delicious and beautiful. Whether you’re baking for family, gifting to friends, or adding to your Christmas dessert table, these cookies are a guaranteed hit.

Soft, flavorful, and endlessly customizable—this recipe proves that sometimes the simplest treats bring the most joy.

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Festive & Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Author: hafsahafsa
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: About 30 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Soft, buttery, and beautifully decorated, these festive Christmas sugar cookies are a holiday classic. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for family baking, gift-giving, or adding sweetness to your holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sugar Cookies:

2 ¾ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing (Optional for Decoration):

2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted

2 tbsp meringue powder or 1 egg white

4 tbsp warm water (adjust for consistency)

Food coloring (gel or liquid)

Sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients gradually. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add a tablespoon of flour if sticky.

Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 6: Roll and Cut
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters into festive shapes.

Step 7: Bake
Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges turn golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Step 8: Make Icing (Optional)
Whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until thick and glossy. Add color if desired. Adjust consistency with more water.

Step 9: Decorate
Pipe or spread icing on cooled cookies. Add sprinkles before icing sets. Let dry 2 hours before storing.