Christmas Sugar Cookies are the epitome of holiday cheer! These soft, chewy treats are decorated with festive sprinkles and topped with creamy frosting, making them perfect for holiday celebrations. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or gifting these sweet treats, this recipe will become a seasonal favorite. Easy to make and deliciously festive, these sugar cookies are sure to brighten any occasion.
Table of Contents
Why These Christmas Sugar Cookies Are Special
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are not only beautiful but incredibly easy to make. With their soft texture and light sweetness, they’re the ideal cookie for anyone who loves a classic sugar cookie with a twist. The addition of festive sprinkles and cream cheese frosting adds the perfect touch of holiday cheer. Plus, the recipe is beginner-friendly, making it great for family baking sessions.
Ingredients For Christmas Sugar Cookies
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a soft texture.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise for a chewy bite.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness of the cookie dough.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a tender texture.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with texture.
• Egg: Binds the dough together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
• Almond extract: Optional, adds a nutty depth of flavor.
• Christmas jimmies sprinkles: Adds festive color and a fun crunch.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you don’t have all-purpose flour, you can substitute it with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of these Christmas Sugar Cookies. If you’re not a fan of almond extract, feel free to skip it or substitute with a bit more vanilla extract. Additionally, you can use colored sanding sugar instead of jimmies for a different decorative touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Fold in the Christmas sprinkles using a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into 3-tablespoon scoops and roll each into a ball.
- Place the dough balls on the baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops are no longer glossy.
- Remove from the oven, then shape the cookies into perfect circles using a cookie cutter or glass.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt, and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing in parts until fully incorporated.
- Drizzle in the cold heavy cream, mixing until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
- Pipe the frosting in a spiral pattern over each cookie, or spread it with a spatula to create decorative swirls.
- Top with additional sprinkles just before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Be careful not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can make your cookies dense and dry.
- If the frosting becomes too thick or starts separating, add a little more cold cream and mix gently.
- These cookies are best served the day they are frosted to keep the sprinkles vibrant.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are perfect on their own, but they can be paired with hot cocoa or a glass of milk for the ultimate festive treat. For a fun twist, try using different colored sprinkles or even edible glitter for an extra festive flair.
Storage Tips
Store the cookies at room temperature for up to two hours. After frosting, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies for up to three months.
Enjoy making and sharing these delightful Christmas Sugar Cookies! Whether you’re baking for a crowd or gifting them, these cookies will surely bring a smile to everyone who tastes them.
Conclusion
Christmas Sugar Cookies are an easy and delightful treat that everyone will love! With their soft, chewy texture and festive decoration, they’re the perfect addition to any holiday celebration. These cookies are versatile, allowing you to customize the flavors and decorations to suit your personal taste or dietary needs. Whether you’re baking them for a family gathering or sharing them as a gift, they’re sure to bring joy and holiday spirit to all who taste them. Happy baking!
FAQs About Christmas Sugar Cookies
Can I make these Christmas Sugar Cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready, simply roll, cut, and bake as directed. You can also freeze the cookies after baking, but it’s best to add the frosting just before serving for optimal freshness.
Can I use margarine instead of butter for this recipe?
While margarine can be used as a substitute, it may alter the texture slightly. For the best results and a rich, soft cookie, butter is recommended. However, if you are looking for a dairy-free option, use a dairy-free butter substitute.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make gluten-free Christmas Sugar Cookies, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check the other ingredients for hidden gluten, especially in your baking powder and extracts.
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Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and decorated with festive sprinkles and cream cheese frosting, making them a perfect treat for the holiday season. They are easy to make, deliciously sweet, and loved by everyone.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 ¾ cups – provides structure and a soft texture.
- Baking powder: 1 ½ tsp – helps the cookies rise for a chewy bite.
- Salt: ½ tsp – balances the sweetness of the cookie dough.
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (softened) – adds richness and a tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups – sweetens the dough and helps with texture.
- Egg: 1 large – binds the dough together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract: 2 tsp – adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Almond extract: ½ tsp (optional) – adds a nutty depth of flavor.
- Christmas jimmies sprinkles: ¼ cup – adds festive color and a fun crunch.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Fold in the Christmas sprinkles using a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion the dough into 3-tablespoon scoops and roll each into a ball.
- Place the dough balls on the baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops are no longer glossy.
- Remove from the oven, then shape the cookies into perfect circles using a cookie cutter or glass.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can make your cookies dense and dry.
- If the frosting becomes too thick or starts separating, add a little more cold cream and mix gently.
- These cookies are best served the day they are frosted to keep the sprinkles vibrant.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
