Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
If you’re dreaming of a cozy holiday kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked treats, this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies boast the perfect tender crumb, with just the right balance of sweetness and a melt-in-your-mouth softness that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Easy to make and endlessly customizable with sprinkles or frosting, they’re a festive classic that makes holiday baking feel joyful and truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here plays a key role in making these Soft Christmas Cookies irresistibly tender, flavorful, and delightfully festive. From the basic pantry staples to a touch of almond extract, each one contributes to that perfect soft texture and vibrant holiday spirit.
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives structure without weighing your cookies down.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps your cookies rise gently for a tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Works with baking soda to create perfect softness.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and lends to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, and helps create soft edges.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor boost that rounds out every bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a delicate, nutty nuance if you want to get fancy.
- 3 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt: The secret weapon for extra softness and a slight tang.
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar: To dress up your cookies with festive holiday cheer.
Optional Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweet and smooth, ideal for a creamy topping.
- 2–3 tablespoons milk: To thin the frosting to just the right consistency.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract: Intensifies the frosting’s flavor.
- Food coloring and festive sprinkles: For extra pizzazz that’s perfect for the holidays.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect baking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your dry ingredients are evenly mixed, setting the stage for an even rise and texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, contributing to the cookie’s tender softness and delightful crumb.
Step 3: Add Egg, Extracts, and Sour Cream
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract if you’re using it, and sour cream. The sour cream (or yogurt) is a game changer here, adding moisture and richness that keeps these cookies exceptionally soft even days after baking.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Be gentle here—overmixing can toughen cookies, but this dough should be smooth and slightly sticky, ready to scoop and bake.
Step 5: Shape and Decorate
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread slightly. Gently flatten the tops just a bit with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, then sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles for that festive touch.
Step 6: Bake to Soft Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still soft and slightly underbaked. This timing is key: overbaking will rob your Soft Christmas Cookies of their signature tenderness. Once out of the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Optional Frosting and Decoration
If you’d like, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract to make a smooth, vibrant frosting. Add food coloring for extra fun, then spread it on cooled cookies and top with more sprinkles for an extra festive vibe.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special presentation, a sprinkle of colored sanding sugar or mini festive candy canes crushed on top adds a delightful crunch and a pop of holiday color. If you’re frosting your cookies, don’t hesitate to get creative by piping snowflake or holly leaf designs with contrasting colors.
Side Dishes
Soft Christmas Cookies are perfect companions to a steaming mug of hot cocoa, mulled cider, or a glass of cold milk. If serving at a holiday gathering, pair with fruitcake bites or spiced nuts to create a festive dessert board that everyone will adore.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few cookies tied with a satin ribbon as charming edible gifts or party favors. You can also arrange them on a beautiful holiday platter lined with evergreen sprigs and cranberries for an eye-catching centerpiece that invites guests to indulge.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cookies soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread. The bread helps retain moisture so your cookies stay tender for days — perfect for prolonged enjoyment throughout the holidays.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking—just place them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time for perfectly soft cookies whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
If your cookies have lost a bit of their fresh softness, gently warm them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This revives their tender texture and brings back that freshly baked feeling in an instant.
FAQs
Can I omit the almond extract in this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and meant to add a subtle nutty flavor, but the vanilla extract alone provides plenty of warmth and richness to the dough.
How do I make sure my cookies turn out soft and not crispy?
Key steps include not overbaking (pull them out when edges are set but centers are still soft), using sour cream or yogurt in the dough for moisture, and storing the cookies properly with a slice of bread to maintain softness.
Can I decorate these cookies with frosting after they cool?
Definitely! This Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe includes a simple frosting option that you can spread or pipe on cooled cookies for extra festive fun. Adding sprinkles on top before the frosting dries adds a lovely holiday touch.
Is the dough easy to handle if I want to chill it overnight?
Yes! Chilling the dough overnight actually helps the flavors develop and makes it easier to handle, plus it can help control spreading during baking.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container with a slice of bread, these Soft Christmas Cookies remain soft and fresh for about 4 to 5 days at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
Nothing quite captures the spirit of the holidays like baking a batch of soft, tender, and festive cookies. This Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is easy to follow, wonderfully versatile, and always a hit whether made for family dinners, office parties, or packaged up as heartfelt gifts. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy every delicious bite alongside your favorite holiday traditions!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24–30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft Christmas Cookies are tender, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies perfect for holiday celebrations. Enhanced with vanilla and optional almond extract, these cookies offer a subtle, delightful flavor with a moist texture thanks to the addition of sour cream or yogurt. Easily decorated with colorful sprinkles or festive frosting, they make an appealing treat for gatherings and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt (for extra softness)
Decorations
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar, for decoration
Optional Frosting
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring and festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, ensuring these leavening agents and seasoning are evenly distributed.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes about 2 to 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, followed by the sour cream or plain yogurt to enhance softness and moisture in the dough.
- Combine Dough: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms without overworking to maintain tenderness.
- Shape Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Gently flatten the tops slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- Decorate: Sprinkle colored sprinkles or sanding sugar on top before baking to add festive color and sparkle.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the centers look soft. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies tender.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Frosting: If frosting, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Add food coloring as desired, then spread over cooled cookies and decorate with festive sprinkles.
Notes
- Store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them extra soft.
- The dough can be chilled overnight for easier handling and better flavor development.
- Do not overbake the cookies as they can quickly become dry; edges should be set, and centers soft.
- Almond extract is optional but adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- For a lactose-free option, substitute butter and sour cream with dairy-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
