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Christmas Sugar Cookies – Soft, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating

These Christmas Sugar Cookies are everything a holiday sugar cookie should be — soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, perfectly buttery, and sturdy enough for decorating without becoming dry or crumbly. With a melt-in-your-mouth texture and warm vanilla flavor, these cookies bake into beautifully smooth shapes that hold their edges, making them ideal for Christmas trees, stars, stockings, snowflakes, gingerbread men, and more. Pair them with a creamy vanilla butter icing or a picture-perfect royal icing, and you get festive cookies that look bakery-worthy but taste even better. Whether you're baking with kids, hosting a cookie-decorating night, or preparing stunning treats for gifting, these Christmas sugar cookies are a holiday classic.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings: 20 Cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

Christmas Sugar Cookie Dough
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract optional but amazing
  • Simple Vanilla Icing for decorating
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 –3 tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: food coloring + sprinkles
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Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Stand or hand mixer
  • Rolling Pin
  • Cookie cutters (holiday shapes)
  • Parchment-lined baking sheets
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. Whisk together:
  2. flour
  3. baking powder
  4. salt
  5. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
  1. Beat butter and granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes until light, pale, and fluffy.
  2. Add:
  3. egg
  4. vanilla
  5. almond extract
  6. Beat until creamy and smooth.
Step 3: Combine Wet & Dry
  1. Add dry ingredients to wet in two batches.
  2. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  3. Divide dough in half and flatten into disks.
  4. Chill 1 hour
  5. This helps cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading.
Step 4: Roll, Cut & Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
  3. Cut into holiday shapes and place on lined baking sheets.
  4. Bake 8–10 minutes, depending on size.
  5. You want:
  6. edges set
  7. tops pale
  8. centers slightly soft
  9. Let cool on the sheet 5 minutes before transferring to rack.
Step 5: Make the Simple Vanilla Icing
  1. Whisk together:
  2. powdered sugar
  3. milk
  4. vanilla
  5. pinch of salt
  6. Add more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for thick piping consistency.
  7. Separate and tint with food coloring if desired.
Step 6: Decorate
  1. Once cookies are completely cooled, decorate using:
  2. piping bags
  3. squeeze bottles
  4. toothpicks for details
  5. Top with sprinkles, sugar crystals, or edible glitter while icing is wet.
  6. Let icing fully dry before stacking.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Freezing

Room Temp: 1 week
Fridge: 10 days
Freeze baked cookies (undecorated): 2 months
Freeze dough: Up to 3 months
Decorated cookies freeze well once icing is fully hardened.

🥄 Variations

Spiced Christmas Sugar Cookies
Add cinnamon + nutmeg for warmth.
Lemon Holiday Cookies
Add lemon zest + lemon icing.
Brown Sugar Sugar Cookies
Swap ½ cup granulated sugar with brown sugar.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Add ½ cup cocoa to the dough.
Peppermint Twist Cookies
Add ½ tsp peppermint extract + crushed candy canes.
Almond Snowflake Cookies
Add more almond extract + pearl sprinkles.
Gluten-Free Version
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Add 2 oz cream cheese for ultra-softness.
Maple Christmas Cookies
Add 1 tsp maple extract to dough + maple icing.
Marbled Christmas Cookies
Swirl food coloring into dough before rolling.

❓ 10 FAQs

How do I prevent spreading?
Chill dough properly + avoid warm cookie sheets.
Can I skip chilling?
No — cookies will lose shape.
Why almond extract?
It gives a classic bakery sugar-cookie flavor.
Can I make dough in advance?
Yes — chill up to 3 days or freeze 3 months.
Why are my cookies dry?
Overbaking — pull when tops look pale.
Can I make them thicker?
Roll dough to ⅜ inch for fluffier cookies.
Can I use brown butter?
Yes — gives a nutty, caramelized flavor.
How long until icing dries?
3–6 hours for simple icing, 12+ for royal icing.
Can I use royal icing instead?
Yes — great for intricate decorations.
Can I add sprinkles before baking?
Yes — they bake beautifully into the dough.

🏁 Conclusion

These Christmas Sugar Cookies are buttery, soft, perfectly shaped, and ideal for decorating — the kind of cookies that turn holiday baking into a cherished tradition. With a pillowy texture, warm vanilla flavor, and endlessly customizable decorations, they’re guaranteed to become a yearly favorite.
Classic, festive, and absolutely delicious.