If you’re dreaming of a sweet way to celebrate the holidays, look no further than these delicious Christmas Sugar Cookies. Perfectly soft yet slightly crisp, these festive treats bring holiday magic to every bite. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, sending edible gifts to friends, or simply craving a delightful dessert, this Christmas Sugar Cookies recipe is your new favorite tradition. Easy to make and wonderfully customizable, this recipe guarantees smiles around the cookie jar all season long!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples that you probably already have on hand, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Perfect Texture: Strikes the ideal balance between tender and chewy with just the right amount of crisp edges.

Festive and Fun: Great for decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles to make every cookie uniquely yours.
Versatile Use: Ideal for parties, gift giving, or just enjoying cozy nights in with a warm drink.
Kid-Friendly: A fantastic baking project for kids to join and create holiday memories.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Christmas Sugar Cookies recipe plays a key role, combining to create the perfect flavor and texture. Most are kitchen essentials, but together they deliver a cookie that’s soft, buttery, and holiday-ready.

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for the cookie’s tender crumb and structure.
Granulated Sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness and contributes to subtle crisp edges.

Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps achieve a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Large Eggs: Bind all ingredients together and add moisture.
Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift without making them too puffy.

Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the dough perfectly.

Variations for Christmas Sugar Cookies

Feel free to get creative with this Christmas Sugar Cookies recipe! It’s effortlessly adaptable to suit your flavor preferences, dietary needs, or holiday themes—try these fun variations to keep things exciting at your cookie swap.

Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to keep the same texture but accommodate dietary restrictions.
Spiced Up: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a cozy, spiced holiday flavor.
Chocolate-Dipped: After baking, dip half of each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate for an elegant twist.

Vegan Option: Use plant-based butter and flax eggs to create a delicious vegan alternative without compromising taste.
Zesty Citrus: Mix in some lemon or orange zest for a fresh, bright note that complements traditional sweetness.

Best Christmas Sugar Cookies to Bake This Year

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by gathering and measuring all of your ingredients. For best results, let the butter soften to room temperature, which helps it blend smoothly with the sugar.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This adds moisture and flavor depth.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Then gradually add this mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This firms the dough for easier rolling and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.

Step 6: Roll and Cut

Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create your Christmas shapes—stars, trees, snowflakes, the works!

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 8-10 minutes until edges are just beginning to turn golden.

Step 8: Cool and Decorate

Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before adding your favorite icing, sprinkles, or edible decorations to bring out the holiday cheer further.

Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sugar Cookies

Use Room Temperature Butter: Ensures smooth mixing and the perfect cookie texture.
Don’t Overmix Dough: Mix just until ingredients combine to avoid tough cookies.

Chill Dough Properly: Helps prevent spreading and maintains cookie shapes.
Even Thickness: Roll dough evenly to guarantee consistent baking.
Watch the Oven: Remove cookies as soon as edges turn light golden to avoid dryness.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

Decorate your Christmas Sugar Cookies with classic royal icing, colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or holiday-themed candies. Freshly piped icing with pastel colors adds both charm and flavor.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of hot cocoa, mulled cider, or peppermint-spiked coffee to elevate your holiday snack experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies in festive tins tied with ribbons, or place them on a holiday-themed platter for a stunning centerpiece at parties or cookie exchanges.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Christmas Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them soft and flavorful.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cookies in a single layer wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To refresh your cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes; this gently softens them without drying out their tender crumb.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of sugar in the recipe?

Yes! While granulated sugar is standard, you can substitute with coconut sugar or a blend of white and brown sugar for a slightly different texture and flavor.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough before baking and ensuring even thickness helps limit spreading. Also, avoid using overly warm butter to maintain cookie shape.

What is the best icing for decorating Christmas Sugar Cookies?

Royal icing is a classic choice because it hardens nicely for detailed decoration, but buttercream or glaze icing can be used for softer finishes.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated or frozen for longer storage before baking.

Are these cookies suitable for people with nut allergies?

This recipe is naturally nut-free, but always check ingredient labels on decorations and avoid cross-contamination if serving to those with allergies.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Sugar Cookies are truly a holiday staple that brings joy to baking and sharing alike. From the first soft bite to the last crumb, you’ll find this recipe simple enough to make with family and flexible enough to suit any festive occasion. So grab your cookie cutters and start baking—these cookies are waiting to fill your holiday with sweetness and cheer!