Description
Ready to make the ultimate batch of holiday magic? These Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery, and made for decorating with festive flair. Whether you’re creating edible gifts, cookie platters, or a sweet treat to enjoy with cocoa, this easy recipe delivers. Perfect for holiday baking with kids or prepping for a cookie exchange, these cutout cookies hold their shape and taste incredible. Think: quick holiday dessert, easy cookie recipe, and fun Christmas food ideas rolled into one sweet creation.
Ingredients
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Decorations of choice (royal icing, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, mini chocolate chips)
Instructions
1. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low until dough forms.
5. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll the dough to ¼ inch thick on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges just begin to turn golden.
9. Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or crushed candy as desired.
Notes
For extra sharp edges on your cutouts, chill the shaped cookies again for 10 minutes before baking.
Royal icing gives a crisp finish, but a simple powdered sugar glaze works great too.
Freeze undecorated cookies in layers between parchment for make-ahead convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday cookie recipe, easy sugar cookies, decorated cookies