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
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.
Notes
Always chill dough before rolling to maintain cookie shape.
For crisper cookies, roll thinner; for softer cookies, roll thicker.
Use real butter for best flavor.
Allow cookies to cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
Store decorated cookies in layers separated by parchment paper.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1-hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Holiday Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Christmas sugar cookies, holiday cookie recipe, soft sugar cookies, easy sugar cookie dough, festive baking