Christmas Cookies Recipe
There is something utterly magical about pulling a tray of Christmas Cookies from the oven — the sweet aroma, the sprinkle of colorful sugar, and the anticipation of sharing them with family and friends make these cookies more than just a treat. These Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery, and layered with vanilla and almond notes, making every bite taste like the holidays themselves. Whether you love rolling and cutting or prefer classic rounds, you’ll end up with a festive batch that brings joy to every gathering. Trust me, there’s nothing like a plate of homemade Christmas Cookies to light up the season!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking these cookies doesn’t require anything fancy, but each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect Christmas Cookies. Gather these pantry essentials, and let’s talk about how they turn basic dough into merry bites of joy!
- All-purpose flour: This is the sturdy base that gives the cookies their tender yet slightly chewy texture.
- Baking soda: Provides a gentle lift, ensuring your cookies are light rather than dense.
- Baking powder: Works with the soda for the ultimate cookie puff and just the right rise.
- Salt: Brings balance to the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the dough.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Infuses each cookie with rich, creamy flavor and that classic melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens every bite and helps the cookies brown beautifully in the oven.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a soft, cohesive dough.
- Vanilla extract: Delivers warmth and a nostalgic holiday flavor that’s truly irresistible.
- Almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle depth and a hint of nuttiness that elevates these Christmas Cookies.
- Red and green colored sugar, sprinkles, or icing: These make your cookies sparkle with festive color and fun — be as creative as you like!
How to Make Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to guarantee gorgeous golden cookies that lift cleanly off the pan. Prepping everything ahead means your dough can go straight into the oven without a hitch!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This simple step ensures all your leavening agents are evenly distributed, so each cookie bakes up perfectly every time.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is where that signature soft texture starts to develop, so don’t rush; a few extra minutes with the mixer is worth it!
Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to your creamed mixture. These ingredients bring richness and layer on those classic holiday flavors. The almond in particular is a secret weapon that adds a subtle flair — but vanilla alone is wonderful if you prefer.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stir just enough to bring the dough together. You want a soft, pliable dough that holds its shape.
Step 6: Shape and Decorate
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass. Sprinkle with red or green sugar if you’re feeling festive now, or leave them plain if you’d rather decorate with icing later.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. Resist the urge to overbake — they’ll continue to set as they cool. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Decorate Your Christmas Cookies
Once completely cool, go wild with icing, sprinkles, more colored sugar, or even edible glitter! Decorating is where the family fun and creativity really shine. Invite everyone to join in and watch your Christmas Cookies become instant works of art.
How to Serve Christmas Cookies
Garnishes
Nothing makes a plate of Christmas Cookies pop quite like some festive garnishes. Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of edible glitter, or extra colorful sprinkles to give your cookies that joyful, freshly-fallen-snow look. Even a drizzle of white chocolate can make your batch look bakery-worthy!
Side Dishes
A plate of Christmas Cookies practically begs for a cozy beverage. Pair with mugs of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, rich eggnog, or even a fresh pot of coffee or spiced chai. For parties, serve them alongside a beautiful fruit platter or a bowl of roasted nuts for a sweet and salty spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Elevate your Christmas Cookies by gifting them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, arranging them in decorative tins, or creating a showstopping cookie platter for your holiday table. Stack them in a tower, cut them into fun shapes, or nestle them in cupcake liners for little bites of cheer. Presentation is all part of the celebration!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Christmas Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to five days, making them the perfect treat to enjoy all week or to stash away for unexpected guests.
Freezing
These cookies are wonderful for freezing! Place cooled, undecorated cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. You can also freeze the shaped cookie dough balls and bake them fresh as needed — just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. For dough, wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking.
Reheating
If you like your Christmas Cookies warm, pop them into a 300°F oven for about 2–3 minutes, or until just heated through. This trick brings back that straight-from-the-oven softness and makes every cookie taste freshly baked!
FAQs
Can I make these Christmas Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days, or freeze it for longer storage. Roll and bake the cookies anytime you’re ready to spread some holiday cheer.
Can I use cookie cutters with this recipe?
Yes, for rollout cookies simply chill the dough for about an hour, roll it to 1/4 inch thickness, and use your favorite festive cookie cutters. This makes them perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles!
What’s the best way to decorate Christmas Cookies?
Let your imagination run wild! You can use colored sugars, royal icing, sprinkles of all shapes, or even edible metallic decorations. Set up a decorating station and let everyone join in the fun — there’s no wrong way to make them beautiful.
Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! This dough doubles beautifully if you’re feeding a crowd or want extra to give as gifts. Just make sure to mix thoroughly and give yourself plenty of space for all those cookies!
My cookies turned out too hard. What happened?
Overbaking is usually the culprit. Remove your Christmas Cookies when the edges are just barely golden; they’ll continue to set as they cool. Also, ensure you don’t overmix the dough, which can toughen the final texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason these Christmas Cookies appear at every holiday gathering — they’re easy, delicious, and bring out the festive spirit in everyone. I hope you’ve been inspired to bake a little magic this season and share your own batch of sweet, decorated memories with those you love. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Cookies are a holiday favorite, perfect for festive gatherings and gift-giving. They are easy to make and can be decorated with colorful sugar, sprinkles, or icing to suit any occasion.
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 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Decorations:
- Red and green colored sugar
- Sprinkles
- Icing for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dough: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, if using. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Shape and Bake: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a glass, then decorate with colored sugar or leave plain. Bake for 8–10 minutes until the edges are golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing and sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- For rollout cookies, chill the dough for 1 hour and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness using cookie cutters.
- The dough freezes well—wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
