These Christmas sugar cookies are soft, sweet, and perfect for the holidays! They’re easy to roll out and cut into fun shapes, making them a family favorite.
Baking these cookies always gets me in the holiday spirit! I love decorating them with colorful icing and sprinkles. Just be careful—it’s hard to stop at one! 🎄🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cookie dough. You can use whole wheat flour for a healthier twist, but it may change the texture slightly. I’ve also tried gluten-free flour blends, which work well!
Butter: Unsalted butter is best as it allows you to control the saltiness. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with margarine or coconut oil. Just note that butter gives a richer flavor!
Sugar: Granulated sugar is standard, but brown sugar can be used for a chewier texture and a hint of caramel flavor. I sometimes mix them for a great balance.
Egg: You can replace the egg with flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water), which makes the cookies vegan. Just remember that the cookies may be slightly denser.
Royal Icing: If you can’t find meringue powder, a simple glaze of powdered sugar and milk works for decorating, but it won’t give that hard finish. I like to keep some sprinkles handy to use during this stage!
How Do I Get Soft and Chewy Cookies?
To get your sugar cookies soft and chewy, there are a few key steps to follow:
- **Don’t Overmix:** When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- **Chill the Dough:** Allowing the dough to chill for at least an hour is crucial. It firms up the butter, helping cookies maintain their shape as they bake.
- **Watch the Bake Time:** Keep an eye on your cookies. They’ll look slightly underbaked when you take them out; they will continue to firm up as they cool.
- **Use Parchment Paper:** This helps prevent sticking and gives even baking.
Following these tips will result in soft, delightful cookies that everyone will enjoy!
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
- Food coloring (red, green, black, brown, white, as needed)
- Sprinkles and edible decorations as desired
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to bake, and 1 hour of chilling time for the dough. After that, you’ll want to let your cookies cool completely before decorating for about 30 minutes, so set aside a few hours for the whole process.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This mixture is essential for giving your cookies the right structure.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Keep mixing for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients:
Next, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it). Mix everything together until it’s well combined.
4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed. This process should continue until the dough starts to come together.
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide your dough in half and flatten each half into a disk. Wrap them in plastic wrap and pop them into the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking!
6. Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep the cookies from sticking.
7. Roll Out the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of your chilled disks of cookie dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Aim for an even thickness to ensure consistent baking.
8. Cut Out Shapes:
Use your favorite festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes like snowflakes, trees, and snowmen. Carefully place the cookies 1 inch apart on your prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake:
Bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden. Don’t overbake—keeping them soft is the key!
10. Cool:
Once baked, move them to a wire rack to cool completely before diving into decorating.
11. Make the Royal Icing:
While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing by combining the sifted powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a bowl. Beat the mixture first on low and then high speed until stiff peaks form. Adjust the consistency with additional water or sugar if necessary.
12. Color the Icing:
Divide your icing into separate bowls and tint them with food coloring as desired for a fun, festive touch!
13. Decorate the Cookies:
Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to outline and decorate your cookies. Get creative with intricate designs and festive patterns!
14. Add Sprinkles:
Before the icing sets, sprinkle edible confetti or nonpareils on your decorated cookies for an extra festive flair.
15. Let it Dry:
Allow the royal icing to dry completely before stacking or storing your cookies in an airtight container.
Enjoy these beautifully decorated, soft Christmas sugar cookies perfect for sharing during holiday festivities!
Can I Use Different Types of Flour for This Recipe?
Yes! While all-purpose flour is best, you can use whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend for a different taste or dietary needs. Just keep in mind it may affect the texture slightly—experiment to find what you like!
What If I Don’t Have Meringue Powder for the Royal Icing?
No worries! You can use a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk in place of royal icing. Mix about 2 cups of powdered sugar with enough milk to get a smooth, pourable consistency, but note that this will not harden like royal icing.
How Should I Store My Sugar Cookies After Baking?
Once your cookies are decorated and the icing is fully dry, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to 1 week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a single layer, with parchment paper between layers, for up to 3 months.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the unrolled dough, and it’ll last up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before rolling out and baking!
