There’s nothing like a batch of soft Christmas sugar cookies to kick off the holiday season. These cookies are tender, buttery, and perfect for decorating with your kids no fancy skills needed. If you’re a busy parent searching for a quick, budget-friendly holiday treat, this recipe will become your go-to.
The dough comes together fast, uses pantry staples, and chills beautifully for make-ahead baking. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or prepping treats for school events, these soft sugar cookies deliver festive flavor with zero fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Batter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (or margarine for dairy-free)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract)
For Decoration
- 1 cup colored icing or sprinkles
- 1 cup powdered sugar (optional for dusting)
Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies (Easy, Soft & Perfect for Decorating!)
- Total Time: 28
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft Christmas sugar cookies that stay soft, hold their shape, and are perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles.
Ingredients
For the Batter
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract)
For Decoration
1 cup colored icing or sprinkles
1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Melted white chocolate, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
5. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with Christmas cookie cutters and place on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden and the centers still look soft.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Decorate cooled cookies with icing, sprinkles, and optionally a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle of melted white chocolate.
Notes
Chill the dough for at least 2 hours so the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Slightly underbake the cookies for the softest, tender texture.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for 5-6 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
The dough can be made ahead and chilled for up to 48 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. - Cream butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. - Add eggs and vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract (or almond extract, if using) until fully combined. - Combine wet and dry ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed or by hand just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix. - Chill the dough
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight) to firm up. - Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. - Roll and cut the cookies
On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each cookie. - Bake the cookies
Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden. The centers should still look soft. - Cool completely
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Decorate and serve
Once the cookies are fully cooled, decorate with colored icing, sprinkles, and/or a dusting of powdered sugar. Optionally drizzle with melted white chocolate. Enjoy!
This recipe is part of our Seasoanl & Holiday Trends collection discover more trending comfort meals and one-pan favorites here.
Pro Tips
- Chill the dough so the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Don’t overmix the dough it keeps the cookies soft and tender.
- Roll evenly to ¼ inch for consistent baking.
- Slightly underbake for the softest texture.
- Add a splash of almond extract for classic Christmas flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, tender sugar cookies that stay fresh for days.
- Simple pantry ingredients nothing fancy required.
- Fun to decorate with kids for holiday baking days.
- Perfect for gifting, parties, or make-ahead treat boxes.
Storage & Meal Prep
- Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for 5-6 days.
- Freeze Baked Cookies: Freeze plain or decorated cookies for up to 2 months.
- Freeze the Dough: Wrap dough tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the dough 1-2 days ahead and keep it chilled until ready to bake.
These Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies are the kind of holiday treat everyone looks forward to simple to make, fun to decorate, and soft enough to melt in every bite. Whether you’re baking with your kids, prepping gifts for neighbors, or adding something festive to your holiday dessert table, this recipe brings all the cozy Christmas vibes without any stress. If you loved this recipe, be sure to save it on Pinterest, share it with friends, and bake a batch again this season. Happy holiday baking!
FAQ
How do I keep my sugar cookies soft?
Keep an eye on the bake time and remove the cookies as soon as the edges turn lightly golden. Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread it helps maintain softness.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be chilled for up to 48 hours. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling.
Why did my cookies spread while baking?
This usually happens when the dough isn’t chilled long enough or when the butter is too soft. Make sure the dough is well-chilled and your baking sheets are cool.
Can I use gluten-free flour for this recipe?
Absolutely. Use a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. The texture stays soft and tender with very little difference from the classic version.
