Jolly Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Crafting delightful soft christmas cookies brings pure joy to winter afternoons.

Sweet memories drift through kitchens when familiar aromas start swirling.

Delicate textures and subtle spices promise comfort during chilly seasons.

Holiday baking connects generations through cherished traditions and shared moments.

Simple ingredients create magic when mixed with love and care.

Each cookie carries whispers of childhood nostalgia and warmth.

Let you embrace this delectable journey into festive sweetness and create something wonderfully memorable.

Why Soft Christmas Cookies Are a Holiday Must-Have

• Soft Christmas Cookies shine with incredible features that make them a kitchen favorite.
• Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires minimal technical skills and basic kitchen tools, allowing anyone to create delicious holiday treats without stress.
• Cookies come together in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making them an ideal last-minute dessert for spontaneous holiday gatherings or unexpected guests.
• Customizable frosting and sprinkle options let families and friends engage in creative decorating, turning cookie-making into a joyful shared activity that sparks holiday memories.

Ingredients for Soft Christmas Cookies with Cheer

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structure for the cookie, choose unbleached for best results.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess to the cookie dough.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Helps achieve perfect frosting consistency.
• Food Coloring: Optional for festive holiday look.
• Sprinkles: Adds fun and decorative element to finished cookies.

How to Bake and Frost Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Create Magical Cookie Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Crack in an egg, splash of vanilla extract, and dollop of sour cream. Mix until everything blends into a dreamy mixture.

• Butter
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Cookie Rounds

Use a cookie scoop to form perfect dough balls. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Take a glass bottom and softly press each ball to create gentle, uniform shapes.

Step 4: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide baking sheets into a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden color. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet briefly before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 5: Dress Up With Festive Frosting

Beat butter until cloud-like and fluffy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and heavy cream. Add vanilla extract and food coloring for a festive touch. Generously spread frosting over cooled cookies and sprinkle with holiday cheer.

Tips for a Fluffy Finish on Soft Cookies

• Create Perfectly Soft Texture: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough cookies, which can happen when gluten develops too much during mixing.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like almond or peppermint instead of vanilla to create unique holiday flavor profiles.
• Achieve Consistent Size: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made every single time.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading on the baking sheet.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft texture.

Best Way to Store Christmas Cookies Without Drying Out

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Warm refrigerated cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
• Keep decorated cookies in a covered container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Drinks and Treats to Serve with Christmas Cookies

• Rich, velvety hot chocolate complements the soft, sweet Christmas cookies perfectly. The warm chocolate brings out the vanilla and buttery notes in the dessert.
• Aromatic cinnamon tea provides a delightful contrast to the sugary cookies. Its warm, spicy undertones balance the cookie's sweetness and enhance the holiday mood.
• Classic holiday eggnog creates a luxurious pairing with these soft Christmas cookies. The thick, nutmeg-infused drink echoes the cookie's rich, creamy texture and adds festive cheer.
• Minty espresso drink adds a refreshing twist to the cookie experience. The cool peppermint flavor cuts through the sweetness and brings a festive winter sensation.

Frosting and Flavor Variations for Christmas Cookies

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Christmas Treats: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt or dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Festive Cookies: Replace butter with dairy-free margarine, use almond milk instead of heavy cream, and select plant-based sour cream substitute for frosting.

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Christmas cookies shine with nostalgic charm, inviting memories of festive family gatherings. Sweet, buttery morsels melt on your palate, delivering classic holiday comfort with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soft Christmas Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 23 tablespoons (359 ml) heavy cream

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Food coloring (red, green, or any preferred colors)
• Holiday sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the foundational cookie mixture by whisking softened butter and granulated sugar until light and airy. Incorporate the egg, pure vanilla essence, and tangy sour cream, blending until the texture becomes smooth and uniform.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, leavening agents, and a pinch of salt – ensuring no lumps remain. Gradually fold these powdery components into the creamy wet mixture, stirring gently to maintain a delicate consistency.
3. Utilize a precise cookie scoop to form uniform dough spheres, strategically positioning them on parchment-lined baking trays. Apply gentle pressure using the flat bottom of a glass, creating subtle circular impressions across each cookie.
4. Position the prepared tray into a preheated oven at 350°F. Monitor the cookies for approximately 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that signal perfect doneness. Allow minimal resting time on the hot tray before transferring to a cooling rack.
5. Prepare the luxurious frosting by whipping butter until exceptionally fluffy. Gradually integrate powdered sugar and rich cream, creating a silky smooth texture. Enhance with vanilla extract and optional food coloring for festive visual appeal. Delicately spread the frosting across completely cooled cookies and embellish with cheerful sprinkles.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smoother creaming and better cookie texture.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like pure vanilla extract for enhanced flavor depth.
• For gluten-free adaptation, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.
• Prevent over-mixing the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg