Description
These soft Christmas cookies are tender, buttery, and perfect for decorating. Whether you’re planning a festive cookie exchange or a cozy holiday bake session with loved ones, these cookies will steal the show. They hold their shape well, are easy to decorate, and practically melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup icing sugar (for decorating)
3 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes.
7. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes.
8. Cool cookies on a rack completely before decorating with icing sugar and sprinkles.
9. Allow icing to set before stacking or storing.
Notes
For the best results, don’t skip chilling the dough—it prevents spreading and helps with clean edges.
Be careful not to overbake; remove cookies as soon as edges are set.
Let cookies cool fully before icing so decorations don’t melt or smear.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, soft sugar cookies, holiday baking