Christmas Sugar Cookies are sweet, fun treats that bring joy to the holiday season! They are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles.
Making these cookies is a family tradition for me. I love seeing everyone get creative with their designs. Plus, the house smells amazing while they’re baking—nothing says Christmas like that sweet scent! 🎄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our cookies. If you want a gluten-free option, look for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I personally love using King Arthur’s measure-for-measure flour—it works great!
Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over the saltiness. If you’re in a pinch, margarine can work as a substitute, but you might lose some of the buttery flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is best for sweetness. You can substitute it with a sugar alternative like coconut sugar for a slightly different taste, but it may affect the cookie’s texture.
Egg: The egg provides moisture and helps bind everything together. If you’re looking for a vegan option, try using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) as a substitute.
Extracts: Vanilla extract is a must for flavor. I sometimes add a bit of almond extract for extra depth, but it’s optional. Feel free to swap with lemon or peppermint extract for a unique twist.
How Do I Get My Cookies to Keep Their Shape?
Chilling the dough is super important for maintaining the shape of your Christmas cookies. Here’s how to do it right:
- Once you’ve mixed the dough, divide it into two discs to make it easier to handle.
- Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or longer if you can!
- This cools the butter, making the dough firmer and less likely to spread when baking.
Be sure not to skip this step! It’s a key part of achieving perfectly shaped cookies that will look beautiful when decorated.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For Decorating:
- Royal icing or colored icing
- Assorted sprinkles and edible decorations
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 30 minutes for preparation, plus 1 hour of chilling time, and an additional 10 minutes of baking. Don’t forget to set aside a few extra hours for the icing to dry completely after decorating! Overall, get ready to spend some quality time in the kitchen—joyfully creating festive treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well mixed. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this should take about 3 to 4 minutes. It’s okay if you sneak a little taste; it’s fun to see how sweet it is!
2. Add Wet Ingredients:
Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it) until everything is well combined. The mixture should look nice and creamy!
3. Combine Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. Just a little bit of patience here—don’t rush! You want to make sure it all combines nicely.
4. Chill the Dough:
Now it’s time to chill! Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or until firm). Chilling the dough is super important because it prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
5. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this will help prevent sticking.
6. Roll Out and Cut Shapes:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your fun Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes: like gingerbread men, snowflakes, trees, stockings, snowmen, and mittens! Carefully transfer the cookie shapes to the prepared baking sheets using a spatula.
7. Bake:
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake yourself! You want soft, delicious cookies!
8. Let Cool:
Take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.
9. Decorate!
Once the cookies are completely cool (no one likes melted icing!), it’s time for the fun part—decorating! Use royal icing or any colored icing you like. Decorate the cookies using piping bags or squeeze bottles to create beautiful designs—think snowflakes, buttons, or friendly faces! Don’t forget the sprinkles for an extra festive touch!
10. Set Icing:
After decorating, allow the cookies to dry at room temperature for a few hours or until the icing is firm. This way, your delightful decorations won’t smudge!
Enjoy your beautifully decorated Christmas sugar cookies, perfect for sharing with family and friends—or savoring all to yourself!
Can I Use a Different Type of Flour?
While all-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if you’re looking for a gluten-free option. Just make sure to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum for the best texture!
What If I Don’t Have Royal Icing?
No worries! You can use store-bought colored icing or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a bit of milk to decorate your cookies. Just mix until smooth and drizzle it over the cooled cookies!
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they start to lose their freshness, you can pop them in the fridge for a few days longer. Just let them come back to room temperature before enjoying!
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Absolutely! The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling and cutting it into shapes.
