Christmas Sugar Cookies
The twinkling lights, the sweet scent of vanilla wafting through the house, and the cheerful jingle of holiday music set the mood for one of the most delightful traditions: baking Christmas Sugar Cookies. With their soft, buttery texture and festive sprinkles, these cookies bring back memories of cozy family gatherings and the excitement of holiday preparations. Picture your loved ones gathered around the counter, rolling out dough and decorating with bright icing and sprinkles. Each bite transports you to a nostalgic moment filled with warmth and joy. There’s something truly magical about sharing these treats, whether you’re gifted to neighbors or enjoyed at a holiday party. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and make a batch of these fun and festive cookies together!
Table of Contents
Baking Christmas Sugar Cookies is not just about the cookies; it’s about creating memories. The laughter, the flour-covered countertops, and the little hands helping out—all add to the joy of the season. With their dazzling colors and sweet frosting, these cookies are perfect for any holiday celebration. Get ready to fill your home with sweetness and cheer by whipping up your own batch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: These cookies can be made in under an hour, so you can whip up a batch even on the busiest days of the season.
- Irresistible Flavor: The buttery cookies are delightfully sweet and pair perfectly with the creamy frosting, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: With Christmas sprinkles on top, they look as festive as they taste, making them a hit at any gathering.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for snacks, holiday parties, or gifts, these cookies suit any occasion!
- Diet-Friendly Options: Try substituting ingredients for gluten-free or dairy-free versions, making them more inclusive for everyone to enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-Purpose Flour (2 3/4 cups): This is the base of your cookies, providing structure. If you’re looking for gluten-free, almond flour or a gluten substitute can work, but your texture might differ slightly.
- Baking Powder (1/2 tsp) and Baking Soda (1/2 tsp): These leavening agents give your cookies a light, fluffy texture. Don’t substitute baking soda for baking powder or vice versa without adjusting other ingredients!
- Salt (1 tsp): This enhances all the flavors. Always use the correct amount; too much can overpower sweetness.
- Christmas Sprinkles (1/3 cup): Use Jimmie sprinkles for that festive flair! Other types work, but the look and texture may vary.
- Unsalted Butter (2 cups total): Essential for creating a rich flavor and tender texture. Make sure it’s soft at room temperature for easy mixing.
- White Granulated Sugar (1 1/4 cups): The main sweetener. If you’re looking to reduce sugar, consider using a sugar substitute designed for baking.
- Large Eggs (2): Room temperature eggs help to emulsify the mixture, leading to a smoother texture. Don’t skip this step!
- Pure Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Choose pure vanilla for the best flavor. Imitation vanilla can give off a synthetic taste that doesn’t quite hit the same.
- Powdered Sugar (3 cups): This is for the whipped frosting. Sifting your powdered sugar helps achieve that smooth finish.
- Pinch of Salt: Just a little helps balance out the sweetness.
- Heavy Cream (2 TBSP): This adds richness to the frosting. If you don’t have heavy cream, full-fat milk is a decent substitute.
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. This is an essential step to ensure your cookies bake evenly, preventing them from sticking. While the oven warms, it’s also a great time to gather and measure out all your ingredients, setting the stage for a delightful baking experience!
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and Christmas sprinkles. This not only eliminates any lumps but also evenly distributes the leavening agents, helping your cookies rise perfectly and ensuring those adorable sprinkles get distributed throughout.
Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the unsalted butter and white granulated sugar together using a mixer on high for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Then, add in the room temperature eggs and pure vanilla extract, mixing on high for another minute. This creates a delightful batter that smells heavenly!
Fold Together Gently: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a soft dough without developing too much gluten, which can lead to tough cookies.
Chill and Scoop: Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. This resting time allows the gluten to relax. Then, using a large cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto your prepared cookie sheets, placing about six dough balls per sheet. Chill the cookie sheets in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up the dough, which helps prevent spreading while baking.
Bake Until Golden: Place the cookie sheets in your preheated oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Once baked, let the cookies sit for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This helps them set while maintaining that perfect chewy center.
Sift for Frosting: While your cookies cool, sift 3 cups of powdered sugar to eliminate any lumps for the frosting. This will help achieve a velvety texture that’s easy to spread.
Make Whipped Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of unsalted butter on high for 3 minutes until fluffy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and continue mixing until smooth. Then add in the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and heavy cream, beating on high for 2 more minutes until the frosting is light and airy.
Frost and Decorate: Using a small cookie scoop, place dollops of frosting onto each cookie. With an offset icing spatula, spread the frosting smoothly, allowing it to cascade over the edges for that classic look. Finally, top each cookie with extra Christmas sprinkles for a festive finishing touch that’s sure to delight!
Storing & Reheating
To keep your Christmas Sugar Cookies fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container. They’ll stay delightful for about a week. For longer storage, refrigerate the cookies for up to two weeks in a sealed container. If you’d like to keep them even longer, freeze them in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a zip-top freezer bag. Up to three months in the freezer will keep those flavors intact. To enjoy them again, simply let them thaw at room temperature; reheating is often unnecessary, but if you prefer them warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. The texture might change slightly after freezing, but they’ll still be delicious!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature; this allows it to cream properly with sugar, leading to airy cookies.
- Don’t skip chilling the cookie dough! This helps manage spread and yields thicker cookies.
- Consider adding almond extract for a delightful twist on the traditional vanilla flavor.
- If you find the dough is too sticky after refrigeration, lightly flour your hands when scooping.
- Experiment with different sprinkles or toppings for a unique holiday twist; chopped nuts or coconut can add a fun spin!
These Christmas Sugar Cookies embody the spirit of the season, bringing smiles and joy to every gathering. They’re perfect for baking with family or just treating yourself to something sweet while cozying up with a holiday movie. Don’t hesitate to add your flair—maybe try a sprinkle of cinnamon or a different frosting color! Most importantly, enjoy the process, relish the moments, and savor every delicious bite!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping and baking. This makes it easier to work with!
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully! Allow them to cool completely, then store in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature or in the fridge before enjoying!
What can I use if I don’t have heavy cream for the frosting?
If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute with milk or half-and-half. While the texture may not be as rich, it will still taste great. Just use a little less than the called amount and adjust for the consistency you prefer.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes! To make vegan Christmas Sugar Cookies, substitute the butter with vegan butter and use flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer. For the frosting, vegan butter and plant-based milk work just as well for a delicious dairy-free treat!
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📖 Recipe Card
Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with soft, buttery textures and festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/3 cup Christmas Sprinkles
- 2 cups Unsalted Butter
- 1 1/4 cups White Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 3 cups Powdered Sugar
- Pinch of Salt
- 2 TBSP Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and Christmas sprinkles in a bowl.
- Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla.
- Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined.
- Let dough rest for 10 minutes; scoop onto cookie sheets and chill for 30 minutes.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges are golden; let cool for 5 minutes before transferring wire rack.
- Sift powdered sugar and beat with butter to make frosting; add vanilla, salt, and cream until airy.
- Frost cookies and decorate with additional sprinkles.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Freeze baked cookies for up to three months, thawing at room temperature before serving.
Chill dough to prevent spreading while baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
