Jolly Holiday Sugar Cookies Recipe: Festive Christmas Magic

Baking festive Christmas sugar cookies during the holiday season fills kitchens with warmth and sweet memories.

These delectable sugar cookies dance with buttery richness and delicate flavors that capture winter’s magic.

Soft, crisp edges frame each perfectly shaped treat decorated with sparkling sugar crystals and festive colors.

Generations of bakers have passed down this cherished recipe, creating moments of joy and connection.

Simple ingredients combine to craft cookies that tell stories of love and tradition.

Decorating these cookies becomes a delightful activity that brings families together, transforming ordinary afternoons into extraordinary celebrations.

Let’s unwrap the magic of these irresistible Christmas sugar cookies and create sweet memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 149 kcal

Servings: 24

Christmas Sugar Cookies Ingredient Checklist

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender cookie texture; choose unsalted for precise sweetness control.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to crisp cookie edges; granulated white sugar works best for classic results.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure; select fresh, room temperature eggs for smooth incorporation.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm aroma; pure extract offers superior taste compared to artificial versions.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that introduces subtle nutty complexity; use sparingly to avoid overpowering other flavors.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's foundational texture; sift to eliminate lumps and ensure smooth dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and maintains soft, delicate crumb; ensure it's fresh for optimal leavening.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile; use fine table salt for even distribution.

Must-Have Tools for Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Large mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly.
• Rolling pin: Crucial for rolling out cookie dough to the right thickness.
• Cookie cutters: Needed for creating festive holiday shapes.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Baking sheets: Provides even heat distribution for perfectly baked cookies.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool without getting soggy.
• Plastic wrap: Used for chilling dough and keeping it fresh.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Everyone Will Love

• Whip Up the Cookie Base

Grab your mixing bowl and cream together butter and sugar until they’re light and dreamy. Splash in the egg and extracts, creating a smooth mixture that hints at holiday.

• Create a Chilled Dough Masterpiece

Blend dry ingredients into your wet mixture, forming a soft dough. Divide into two discs, wrap them up cozy in plastic, and let them chill in the refrigerator for an hour.

• Shape Your Holiday Treats

Warm up the oven to 350F. Roll out your cold dough on a floured surface, making it nice and thin. Grab those festive cookie cutters and transform the dough into delightful shapes.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide your cookie shapes onto lined baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden brown. Let them rest briefly on the sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.

• Decorate with Joy

Once completely cool, unleash your creativity and decorate these sweet treasures with icing, sprinkles, or whatever holiday spirit moves you.

Cookie Decorating Tips for Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the perfect cookie texture, which helps create a light and fluffy base.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, saving valuable time during busy holiday baking sessions.
• Swap traditional flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or orange to add unique holiday twist to the classic sugar cookie recipe.
• Use royal icing or colored sugar sprinkles to transform plain cookies into stunning festive treats that will impress family and friends.

Serving Up Holiday Cheer with Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Holiday Platter Perfection: Arrange cookies in a festive circular pattern on a decorative Christmas-themed serving plate, creating visual layers and showcasing different cookie shapes.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies between parchment paper in clear holiday gift boxes, tying with elegant ribbons for a charming homemade present that delights friends and family.
• Dessert Table Showcase: Create a stunning display by varying cookie heights using cake stands or tiered trays, mixing decorated and undecorated cookies for visual interest and tempting guests.
• Milk and Cookies Station: Set up a cozy corner with a vintage milk jug, cute mugs, and a platter of cookies, inviting everyone to enjoy a classic holiday treat together.

Storing Christmas Sugar Cookies for Festive Days Ahead

• Transfer cookies to a wire rack immediately after initial cooling to prevent bottom overcrowding and maintain crisp texture.
• Cookie dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 4-6 weeks in an airtight container, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and sealed freezer bag.
• Keep decorated cookies in single layers between parchment paper inside sealed container at room temperature for maximum freshness, lasting 7-10 days.
• Allow cookies to cool completely for at least 30-45 minutes before adding frosting or icing to prevent melting and ensure smooth, clean design application.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking, makes the dough easier to handle, and allows the flavors to develop more deeply. It also helps the cookies maintain their shape when cut with cookie cutters.

• Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting.

• How thin should I roll out the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness for the best texture. This ensures your cookies are not too thick or too thin, creating a perfect balance of crisp edges and soft center.

• What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal for these Christmas sugar cookies. It provides the right structure and texture for a classic, tender sugar cookie that holds its shape well.

Festive Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic Christmas sugar cookies bring festive cheer to holiday gatherings with their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Decorated with royal icing and sprinkles, you’ll create memories that sparkle like winter’s first snowfall.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ½ cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 ml) meringue powder
• 34 tablespoons (510 ml) water
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) almond extract (optional)
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
• Food coloring (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Mixture Preparation: Whip butter and sugar into a cloud-like consistency, creating a smooth, pale foundation for the dough.
2. Wet Ingredient Integration: Fold egg and fragrant vanilla and almond extracts into the butter blend, ensuring complete incorporation.
3. Dry Ingredient Combination: Gently merge sifted flour, baking powder, and salt with the wet mixture, forming a unified, tender dough.
4. Dough Chilling: Divide dough into two discs, wrap securely, and refrigerate for at least one hour to enhance flavor and texture.
5. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for pristine cookie performance.
6. Rolling and Cutting: Unveil chilled dough on a flour-dusted surface, rolling to a delicate 1/4-inch thickness, then use festive cutters to craft holiday-inspired shapes.
7. Baking Process: Carefully transfer cookie shapes to prepared sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that signal perfect doneness.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and potential decorative embellishments.

Notes

Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, defined cookie shapes during baking.

Control Flour Dusting: Lightly dust work surface with flour to prevent dough from sticking without making cookies dry or tough, using minimal extra flour.

Monitor Baking Closely: Watch cookies carefully during final minutes of baking; golden edges indicate perfect doneness without risking burnt bottoms or overdried texture.

Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, and use plant-based butter for vegan-friendly Christmas sugar cookies without compromising delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg