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christmas sugar cookies recipe.

🎄 Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe (Soft, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating)

These Christmas sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating. A festive, easy-to-make holiday cookie recipe that’s great for parties, gifting, or baking with kids!

Introduction:

Nothing says holiday joy like baking and decorating a batch of classic Christmas sugar cookies! This easy, foolproof recipe creates soft, buttery cookies that hold their shape — perfect for cut-outs and decorating with royal icing or sprinkles.

Ideal for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, family baking days, or edible gifts, these cookies are festive, fun, and delicious every time.

⭐ Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sugar Cookies

  • 🍪 Soft, buttery texture with golden edges
  • 🎄 Perfect for cutting, shaping, and decorating
  • 🧁 Holds its shape — no spreading
  • ❄️ Freezer-friendly for make-ahead baking
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for baking with kids

🛒 Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookie Dough:

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for festive flavor)
  • 2 ¾ cups (330g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

For Decorating (optional):

  • Royal icing or sugar glaze
  • Holiday sprinkles
  • Colored sanding sugar

👩‍🍳 How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies

✅ Step 1: Cream Butter & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

✅ Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until combined.

✅ Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet mixture until a soft dough forms.

✅ Step 4: Chill Dough

Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

✅ Step 5: Roll & Cut

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thick. Cut into holiday shapes using cookie cutters.

✅ Step 6: Bake

Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are just lightly golden.

✅ Step 7: Cool & Decorate

Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before decorating with icing and sprinkles.

🎨 Decorating Tips

  • Use royal icing for clean, detailed designs
  • For easier decorating, use piping bags with small round tips
  • Let icing dry completely before stacking or storing
  • Mix up your shapes: stars, trees, snowflakes, stockings!

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

  • Room Temp: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week
  • Freezer (Baked): Freeze cookies (undecorated) for up to 3 months
  • Freezer (Dough): Freeze cookie dough discs for up to 2 months — thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling

✅ Pro Tips for Perfect Holiday Sugar Cookies

  • Chill dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading
  • Roll dough evenly for uniform baking
  • Don’t overbake — cookies should be pale with lightly golden bottoms
  • Decorate only when cookies are fully cooled

🔍 FAQ – Christmas Sugar Cookies

Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Chill the dough well for easier handling.

Q: What’s the best icing for decorating?
Royal icing is best for detailed designs. A simple sugar glaze works well for quick decorating.

Q: Can I skip almond extract?
Yes, but it adds a lovely festive flavor. You can also substitute with lemon or orange zest.

⭐ Similar Recipes to Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Warm spices, festive shapes, and perfect for decorating—one of the best related holiday cookie recipes.

2. Shortbread Christmas Cookies

Rich, buttery cookies that pair well with icing or sprinkles.
Highly searched during the holiday season.

3. Snickerdoodle Cookies

Soft, cinnamon-coated cookies with a holiday feel.
Great internal link target from sugar cookie posts.

4. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Minty, fudgy, snowy-looking cookies—perfect for Christmas cookie trays.

5. Frosted Cut-Out Cookies

Similar decorating style to sugar cookies but with a slightly softer texture.
A popular alternative for readers wanting festive cookies.

📌 Save & Share This Recipe

Baking for the holidays? Save this Christmas sugar cookies recipe to your Pinterest holiday board, or tag your decorated cookies on Instagram with #FestiveSugarCookies 🎄🍪✨

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