These Christmas Sugar Cookies are the perfect holiday treat—soft, buttery, and beautifully decorated with royal icing. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, gifting them to loved ones, or enjoying a family baking session, these cookies are a delightful way to celebrate the season.
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Royal Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional, for decoration)
Preparation:
1: Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, trees, snowflakes, and stockings.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
3: Bake the Cookies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4: Prepare the Royal Icing
- In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk (for a thinner consistency) or more powdered sugar (for a thicker consistency).
- Divide the icing into bowls and color with food coloring, if desired.
- Transfer the icing to piping bags or squeeze bottles for decorating.
5: Decorate the Cookies
- Use the royal icing to outline and flood the cookies. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or additional decorations while the icing is still wet.
- Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours to allow the icing to set.
Variations:
- Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace 1/2 cup of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
Cooking Notes:
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is essential for maintaining the cookie shapes during baking.
- Use clear extracts: If you’re making white icing, opt for clear vanilla or almond extract to avoid discoloration.
- Decorate creatively: Experiment with piping designs, sprinkles, and edible glitter to make the cookies uniquely festive.
Serving Suggestions:
- Perfect for gifting: Pack these cookies in decorative boxes or tins for a thoughtful homemade holiday gift.
- Ideal for cookie swaps: Bring these beautifully decorated cookies to a holiday cookie exchange.
- Fun for family time: Let kids decorate their own cookies with colorful icing and sprinkles.
Tips:
- Make ahead: Bake the cookies a day in advance and decorate the next day to simplify the process.
- Keep icing fresh: Cover bowls of icing with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out while decorating.
- Store properly: Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Prep Time:
20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
Baking Time:
10 minutes per batch
Total Time:
1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling and cooling)
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie):
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 40mg
FAQs:
Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting.
Q: Can I make the royal icing thicker for detailed designs?
A: Absolutely! Add more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency that’s perfect for intricate piping work.
Q: How long does it take for the icing to set?
A: The icing typically sets in 2-3 hours, but for completely firm designs, let the cookies sit overnight.
Q: Can I use a stand mixer?
A: Yes, a stand mixer makes it easy to cream the butter and sugar and mix the dough evenly.
Conclusion:
Christmas Sugar Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, combining buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with festive decorations that spread joy and cheer. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, sharing them as gifts, or enjoying a fun baking session with family, these cookies are a must-have for the season. Get creative with your designs, and enjoy every delicious bite of this festive tradition!
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Christmas Sugar Cookies : Festive and Delicious Holiday Treats
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling and cooling)
Ingredients
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Royal Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
Preparation:
1: Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, trees, snowflakes, and stockings.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
3: Bake the Cookies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4: Prepare the Royal Icing
- In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk (for a thinner consistency) or more powdered sugar (for a thicker consistency).
- Divide the icing into bowls and color with food coloring, if desired.
- Transfer the icing to piping bags or squeeze bottles for decorating.
5: Decorate the Cookies
- Use the royal icing to outline and flood the cookies. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or additional decorations while the icing is still wet.
- Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours to allow the icing to set.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
Nutrition
- Calories: 120
- Sodium: 40mg
- Protein: 1g