Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Few holiday traditions are as heartwarming and joyful as baking a batch of Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies. These cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re also a creative and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. With their soft centers, crisp edges, buttery flavor, and endless decorating possibilities, sugar cookies are a holiday staple loved by both kids and adults.
Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party, preparing gifts for friends and family, or leaving treats out for Santa, this recipe guarantees cookies that taste as good as they look. In this detailed guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about making Christmas sugar cookies: ingredients, step-by-step instructions, decoration tips, variations, storage methods, nutrition info, and FAQs.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Festive & Fun – Perfect for decorating with family and friends.
- Soft & Buttery – The cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Customizable – Use any cookie cutters and icing colors to fit your holiday theme.
- Great for Gifting – Package in tins or bags for homemade Christmas presents.
- Tradition Worth Keeping – Baking and decorating cookies can become a cherished family ritual.
Ingredients
For the Cookies (Makes about 36 cookies):
- 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but adds great flavor)
- 3 tablespoons milk
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder (or 2 egg whites if preferred)
- 5–6 tablespoons warm water
- Gel food coloring (red, green, white, gold, silver, blue—perfect for Christmas designs)
- Sprinkles, candy pearls, edible glitter, or colored sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, until the dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Chilling is essential—it makes the dough easier to handle and prevents cookies from spreading in the oven.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use festive cookie cutters (Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, candy canes, gingerbread men).
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Do not overbake—sugar cookies should remain light in color.
- Allow to cool completely before decorating.
Step 5: Prepare the Icing
- In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water until smooth.
- Adjust consistency:
- Thick icing for piping outlines.
- Thinner icing for flooding and filling large areas.
- Divide into bowls and color with food coloring as desired.
Step 6: Decorate the Cookies
- Outline each cookie with thick icing, then fill the inside with thinner icing.
- Use a toothpick or skewer to spread icing evenly or create designs.
- Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or candy pearls before icing dries.
- Let cookies sit for at least 2–3 hours (or overnight) until icing hardens.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Chill the dough – Prevents cookies from spreading and losing shape.
- Use parchment paper – Helps cookies bake evenly and avoids sticking.
- Don’t overmix – Too much mixing makes cookies tough instead of tender.
- Bake similar sizes together – So all cookies bake evenly.
- Store icing properly – Cover royal icing with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent drying out.
Decorating Ideas 🎨
- Classic Christmas Trees – Green icing, gold stars, and sprinkle ornaments.
- Snowflakes – White icing with silver glitter.
- Santa Hats – Red triangles with white icing trim.
- Candy Canes – Red and white striped icing.
- Gingerbread Men – Outline in white and add candy buttons.
Variations
- Soft Sugar Cookies – Add 2 extra tablespoons of sour cream for extra softness.
- Spiced Sugar Cookies – Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for holiday flavor.
- Glazed Cookies – Use a simple sugar glaze instead of royal icing for a quicker option.
- Vegan Sugar Cookies – Use vegan butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water).
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw before decorating.
- Make-Ahead Dough: Refrigerate dough for up to 3 days before baking.
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie, approx.):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 20g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 1g
(Values vary depending on decorations.)
FAQs About Christmas Sugar Cookies
1. Why did my cookies spread too much?
You may not have chilled the dough long enough.
2. Can I make these without royal icing?
Yes! Try buttercream frosting, glaze, or even melted chocolate.
3. What’s the best way to package cookies as gifts?
Once icing is completely dry, place cookies in decorative tins, glass jars, or clear gift bags tied with ribbons.
4. Can kids help with decorating?
Absolutely—this is one of the best holiday activities for kids! Just prepare extra sprinkles and let them get creative.
5. How do I make cookies extra flavorful?
Add almond extract, orange zest, or a pinch of cinnamon to the dough.
Final Thoughts
These Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a holiday tradition that brings families together. From cutting shapes to decorating with icing and sprinkles, the process is as enjoyable as the final result.
