Christmas Butter Cookies

Christmas Butter Cookies are a classic holiday treat that brings warmth and joy to your home. These cookies, soft on the inside with a slight golden edge, are perfect for sharing with loved ones or leaving out for Santa. Their simple yet rich flavor comes from the combination of butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. The dough is easy to work with, allowing you to get creative with cookie cutters and decorations. Whether you’re making them for a festive gathering or simply enjoying some holiday baking time, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite. Plus, they’re versatile—you can decorate them with colorful icing, sprinkles, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of holiday cheer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Christmas Butter Cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. The dough comes together quickly, and the ingredients are simple, yet they create a cookie that’s rich and flavorful. The butter lends a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the vanilla extract gives a subtle sweetness that everyone loves. With a baking time of just 8-10 minutes, you can have a batch of warm, golden cookies ready in no time. Perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or even a fun family baking activity, these cookies are sure to spread Christmas cheer. Their versatile nature also means they can be decorated in countless ways, making them as festive as they are delicious.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• Butter (softened)
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Egg
• Baking powder
• All-purpose flour

Variations

• Chocolate-Dipped Butter Cookies: After baking, dip the cooled cookies in melted chocolate for a rich twist.
• Colored Icing: Decorate your cookies with colorful icing to make them even more festive for the holiday season.
• Sprinkles: Top the cookies with festive sprinkles before baking to add a fun, colorful touch.
• Lemon or Almond Flavor: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract to the dough for a different flavor profile.
• Jam-Filled Butter Cookies: After cutting out your cookies, add a dollop of fruit jam in the center before baking for a fruity addition.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking.

Step 2: Cream Together Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes of mixing.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Egg

Beat in the vanilla extract and egg to the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring everything is well combined.

Step 4: Stir in Baking Powder and Flour

Stir in the baking powder and flour gradually, mixing until the dough is well-blended and smooth. It may get a little thick, but keep mixing until it’s uniform.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, whether stars, trees, or simple circles.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Place the cookie shapes onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, feel free to decorate with icing, sprinkles, or powdered sugar.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix the dough just until it comes together. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
• Chill the Dough (Optional): If the dough is too soft to roll out easily, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before rolling.
• Use Floured Cookie Cutters: To prevent the dough from sticking to the cookie cutters, lightly flour them before each use.
• Watch the Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake to avoid overcooking. The cookies are done when the edges are golden but the center is still soft.
• Decorate After Cooling: Wait until the cookies have fully cooled before decorating to ensure the icing doesn’t melt.

How to Serve

Serve these Christmas Butter Cookies at holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a gift in a festive tin. Pair them with a cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee for the perfect Christmas treat. These cookies can also be a fun activity to do with children, allowing them to decorate their cookies with colorful icing and sprinkles.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They’ll stay soft and fresh for several days.

Freezing

To freeze the dough, roll it into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and place it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, let the dough thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before rolling and cutting.

Reheating

If you have leftover cookies that have been stored, you can reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes to restore their softness.

FAQs

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

It’s best to use unsalted butter for this recipe, as it allows you to control the amount of salt in the dough. If you only have salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt.

2. Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yes, you can freeze baked cookies. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

3. How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling it out?

Flour your work surface and rolling pin lightly, or roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.

4. Can I use cookie cutters for intricate shapes?

Yes, these cookies hold their shape well when using cookie cutters, even for intricate designs. Just be sure to flour the cutters to avoid sticking.

5. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

6. How do I get a golden edge on my cookies?

Bake the cookies until the edges just start to turn golden brown. This will give them that perfect crispness.

7. Can I decorate the cookies before baking?

No, it’s better to decorate after baking, as the decorations could burn in the oven. Decorate once the cookies have cooled.

8. Can I make these cookies without an egg?

Yes, you can substitute the egg with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for an egg-free version.

9. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but the cookies will be denser and have a slightly different texture.

10. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?

Yes, feel free to mix in chocolate chips or candy pieces for added texture and flavor.

Conclusion

Christmas Butter Cookies are the perfect holiday treat—simple, delicious, and fun to make. With their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and endless decorating possibilities, they are sure to bring festive cheer to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re baking them for a party, gift-giving, or just to enjoy at home, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone. So get your cookie cutters ready and enjoy making this timeless Christmas classic!

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