Every December, my kitchen turns into a little bakery filled with the smell of butter, vanilla, and sugar. Nothing says holiday spirit quite like a batch of freshly baked Christmas sugar cookies. They’re soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and perfect for decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles.
When I first started making decorated holiday cookies, I’ll admit I was nervous about rolling and cutting the dough. But the trick is to chill it just right so the shapes hold beautifully in the oven. Over the years, this has become a family tradition, rolling out stars, trees, and snowflakes, then spending the afternoon decorating together.
The best part about this sugar cookie recipe is its versatility. You can keep them simple with a dusting of sugar or go all out with royal icing and festive designs. Either way, they come out deliciously buttery and sweet, with a texture that makes them hard to resist.
If you’re new to baking, don’t worry, these are truly easy cut out cookies. With just a few pantry staples, you’ll have dough that rolls like a dream and bakes into perfect holiday shapes. Even the kids can get involved, and honestly, that’s half the fun.
And of course, no holiday season is complete without a little holiday cookie decorating. I like to set out bowls of icing in different colors, sprinkles, and candy toppings so everyone can get creative. It’s messy, yes, but it’s the kind of mess that brings laughter, joy, and sweet memories.
What You’ll Need To Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
1. Unsalted Butter
- Creates a rich, tender cookie base.
- Using unsalted allows you to control the salt level.
- Room temperature butter creams perfectly with sugar.
2. Granulated Sugar
- Sweetens the cookies while helping them hold shape.
- Contributes to a slight crispness around the edges.
- Blends smoothly with butter for a perfect base.
3. Large Eggs
- Bind the dough and provide structure.
- Add moisture, ensuring cookies aren’t dry.
- Help achieve a light golden color when baked.
4. Vanilla Extract
- Brings warm, cozy holiday flavor.
- Enhances the overall sweetness without overpowering.
- Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
5. All-Purpose Flour
- Forms the backbone of the cookie dough.
- Provides stability so cookies hold their cut-out shapes.
- Sifted flour helps create a smooth dough.
6. Baking Powder
- Gives cookies a gentle lift.
- Prevents them from being overly dense.
- Ensures they bake evenly in the oven.
7. Salt
- Balances sweetness with subtle savory notes.
- Enhances flavor in both dough and icing.
- Just a pinch makes a big difference.
8. Powdered Sugar (for Icing)
- Smooth, lump-free base for cookie icing.
- Blends easily with milk or water.
- Sets beautifully, allowing decorated cookies to harden.
9. Food Coloring & Sprinkles
- Add festive fun to holiday decorating.
- Gel food coloring creates vibrant shades.
- Holiday sprinkles give extra sparkle.
What to Take Note of While Baking
- Chill the dough to prevent spreading.
- Roll evenly for consistent cookies.
- Don’t overcrowd baking sheets.
- Let cookies cool fully before icing.
- Use gel coloring for vibrant, stable colors.
Equipment Needed For Making Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling racks
- Piping bags or squeeze bottles for icing
Health Benefits Of Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Portion Control – Small cookies make for manageable indulgence.
- Family Bonding – Encourages kids and adults to cook together.
- Energy Boost – Provides quick energy from carbohydrates.
- Customizable – Can be adapted with whole wheat flour or reduced sugar for healthier versions.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Fun for All Ages – These cookies are perfect for kids and adults alike, especially when decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles. It turns baking into a festive activity.
- Buttery and Sweet – With a rich butter base, these cookies melt in your mouth while still holding their shape for beautiful cut-outs.
- Customizable – From simple sugar-dusted cookies to intricately iced snowflakes, you can decorate them to match your holiday theme.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – The dough can be chilled or frozen ahead of time, making it easy to prepare a big batch for parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting.
- Holiday Tradition – Few things say Christmas quite like baking and decorating sugar cookies. This recipe creates not only treats but memories that last year after year.
Conclusion
Christmas sugar cookies aren’t just a dessert, they’re a tradition that warms hearts and fills kitchens with joy. From the first roll of dough to the last sprinkle of sugar, every step is an opportunity to make memories with loved ones. Their simplicity, adaptability, and festive charm make them the ultimate holiday cookie. Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, building a holiday platter, or simply creating cozy family moments, these cookies deliver both flavor and joy.
Bake a batch this season, and let these classic Christmas cookies become part of your family’s holiday story.
✅ Quick Tips: Read through the full recipe before diving in; it’s the best way to get a feel for the flow, prep time, and tools you’ll need. Think of it like scanning a map before a road trip: you’ll cook more confidently and avoid any surprises halfway through.
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The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
This Christmas Sugar Cookies recipe is a holiday baking favorite featuring buttery dough, sweet vanilla flavor, and festive decorations. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday dessert tables, or kids cookie decorating, these cookies hold their shape beautifully and taste just as good plain as they do with icing. A true classic Christmas cookie that’s fun, delicious, and guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
Ingredients
For the Icing
Instructions
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
This step is key for achieving that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
Scrape down sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients
Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
This prevents spreading and makes rolling easier.
Roll and Cut Shapes
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness.
Use holiday cookie cutters (trees, stars, snowflakes) to cut shapes.
Bake
Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
Prepare icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Tint icing with food coloring and decorate using piping bags or squeeze bottles.
Cool and Decorate
Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
Prepare icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Tint icing with food coloring and decorate using piping bags or squeeze bottles.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 24
Serving Size 1 cookie
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 120kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 5g8%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 20mg7%
- Sodium 50mg3%
- Potassium 20mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
- Sugars 10g
- Protein 1.5g3%
- Vitamin A 150 IU
- Calcium 8 mg
- Iron 0.6 mg
- Vitamin D 6 IU
- Vitamin E 0.2 IU
- Vitamin K 1 mcg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Chill the dough to prevent spreading.
- Roll evenly for consistent cookies.
- Don’t overcrowd baking sheets.
- Let cookies cool fully before icing.
- Use gel coloring for vibrant, stable colors.
