The holiday season is incomplete without the joy of baking delicious Christmas cookies! Perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting to friends, this Christmas Cookie Recipe is easy to follow and creates festive, buttery, and perfectly spiced treats that everyone will adore.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
- Red and green sprinkles or decorating sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop out dough by the tablespoon and roll into small balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Decorate: Lightly press down each ball and sprinkle with red and green sprinkles or decorating sugar for a festive touch.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serving: These cookies are delightful when paired with a glass of milk or a hot cup of cocoa. Arrange them on a festive plate for your holiday gatherings.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
2. Can I add different decorations?
Absolutely! Use icing, chocolate chips, or any festive decorations you like to customize your cookies.
3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure other ingredients are also gluten-free.
4. How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking can help the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
PrintCHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPE!
These festive Christmas cookies are perfect for celebrating the holiday season! Soft, buttery, and beautifully decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles, they’re fun to make and delicious to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing a holiday treat, these cookies are sure to bring joy to your table.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Icing
- 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (red, green, and other festive colors)
- Sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
. Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
2. Chill and Roll:
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into discs, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
3. Bake:
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Decorate:
- In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add more milk for a thinner consistency if needed.
- Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring.
- Decorate the cooled cookies using the icing and sprinkles. Allow the icing to set before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, substitute almond extract for vanilla in the icing.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months—just thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out.