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

Scale

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)

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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