Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe: Easy and Festive Holiday Treats

I’ve included some videos below for those who prefer to watch rather than read.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Christmas sugar cookies are a beloved holiday tradition. These sweet treats are fun to make and decorate with family and friends. You can create soft, buttery cookies with just a few simple ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.

The best part is customizing your cookies. Use cookie cutters to make festive shapes. Then decorate with colorful icing and sprinkles. Your cookies will look beautiful and taste delicious. Get ready to bake some holiday magic!

Exact Ingredients ( + Possible Substitutes )

Here’s what you’ll need to make delicious Christmas sugar cookies:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Don’t have these exact items? No worries! Try these swaps:

• Swap all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour blend • Replace butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free option • Use brown sugar instead of white for a richer flavor

For the icing, gather:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring (optional)

Mix it up with these icing alternatives:

• Use lemon juice instead of milk for a zesty kick • Try almond extract in place of vanilla • Experiment with natural food dyes like beet juice or matcha powder

Remember, baking is fun! Feel free to play around with flavors and make these cookies your own.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy. This takes about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.

Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Place them on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Once completely cool, decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.

Enjoy your homemade Christmas sugar cookies with family and friends!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make the dough ahead of time and chill it in the fridge overnight. This makes the baking process easier and lets you spread out the fun.

For festive decorations, press sprinkles or colored sugar into the unbaked cookies before popping them in the oven. They’ll stick better this way.

Use room temperature butter for the best results. Cold or melted butter won’t give you the same soft, chewy texture.

When making royal icing, add water slowly. You want it thin enough to make a figure eight that disappears in eight seconds.

Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.

Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before icing.

For perfectly shaped cookies, chill the cut-out dough on baking sheets for 10 minutes before baking. This helps them keep their shape.

Don’t overbake! The edges should be just lightly golden. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

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