Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Simple Icing

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookies

Picture soft, buttery Christmas sugar cookies that melt in your mouth, topped with a simple icing perfect for holiday cheer. This Christmas sugar cookies recipe stands out for busy home cooks and baking enthusiasts who want festive treats without fuss. Families love shaping them into stars, trees, and bells with cookie cutters, creating fun traditions.

These holiday cookies bring joy to tables during Christmas gatherings. Their classic flavor pairs well with hot cocoa, making them a hit for kids and adults alike. Best of all, you can bake a batch in under an hour of active time.

• Ease of preparation: Whip up the dough in minutes with basic pantry staples. No chilling required for quicker rollout, and they bake in just 8-10 minutes. Ideal for busy parents or students short on time, this easy Christmas sugar cookies recipe saves the day during holiday rushes.
• Health benefits: Made with real butter for richness without artificial additives. Use whole wheat flour for fiber boost or cut sugar slightly for lighter options. Diet-conscious folks appreciate the portion control with small cutout cookies, keeping treats balanced.
• Versatility: Adapt for vegan, gluten-free, or low-sugar needs. Decorate endlessly for themes beyond Christmas, like hearts for Valentine’s. Travelers and newlyweds find them portable for gifting or picnics.
• Distinctive flavor: Vanilla and almond notes shine through, with icing that sets smooth for stacking. Softer than crisp gingerbread, they offer tender texture everyone craves in sugar cookies with icing.

Brandi Oshea shares this passion for simple recipes at Juicy Cooking, inspiring home cooks to create memorable moments. These Christmas cookies fit right into that joy-filled approach.

Essential Ingredients for Christmas Sugar Cookies

Gather these straightforward items for your Christmas sugar cookies recipe. Each plays a key role in achieving that perfect tender bite and festive look.

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour – Forms the base for structure and chewiness in roll out sugar cookies.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda – Acts as leavening to help cookies rise lightly without spreading too much.
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder – Adds extra lift for soft sugar cookies recipe texture.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Provides richness and flavor; use room temperature for easy creaming.
• 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar – Sweetens and tenderizes the dough for classic taste.
• 2 large eggs – Bind ingredients and add moisture for smooth dough.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Infuses warm, comforting aroma.
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract – Optional boost for nutty depth in decorated Christmas cookies.
• Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar – For topping before baking, adding crunch and holiday sparkle.

Simple Icing Ingredients:

• 4 cups powdered sugar – Creates smooth, sturdy base that hardens for stacking.
• 1/4 cup milk – Thins icing to pipeable consistency; use dairy-free for alternatives.
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup – Gives shine and prevents cracking in royal icing style.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances flavor without overpowering cookie taste.
• Gel food coloring – Optional for vibrant Christmas colors like red and green.

Special Dietary Options:

• Vegan: Swap butter for plant-based sticks, eggs for 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water), milk for almond milk.
• Gluten-free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend; add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum if not included.
• Low-calorie: Reduce butter to 3/4 cup, sugar to 1 cup, use Greek yogurt in icing instead of milk.

How to Prepare the Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide

Prepare the Cookie Dough

First Step: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking for your best Christmas cookie recipe.

Second Step: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon baking powder. Set aside. Dry ingredients blend evenly for consistent results in cutout cookies.

Third Step: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape sides often. Creaming incorporates air for tender texture.

Fourth Step: Add 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. The wet mix should look smooth and pale.

Fifth Step: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet on low speed. Stop mixing once combined to avoid tough cookies. Dough will be soft; divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill 30 minutes. Chilling firms for easy rolling.

Roll, Cut, and Bake

Sixth Step: On a floured surface, roll one disc to 1/4-inch thickness. Use Christmas cookie cutters for shapes like snowflakes or reindeer. Place 2 inches apart on sheets. Reroll scraps once for max yield.

Seventh Step: Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Centers stay pale for soft centers. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then wire rack.

Eighth Step: Repeat with remaining dough. Yield about 36 cookies. For crispier edges, bake 10-12 minutes.

Make and Apply Simple Icing

Ninth Step: Whisk 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup corn syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. Divide into bowls, tint with gel colors. Thin with drops of milk for flooding icing.

Tenth Step: Outline cookies with piping bag, fill centers, add sprinkles. Let set 1-2 hours. For royal icing fans, this simple icing recipe dries shiny. Similar techniques shine in award-winning Christmas sugar cookies.

Final Step: Store in airtight container. Serve at room temp with milk. Total time: 1.5 hours active, plus setting. Tips: Dust cutters with flour. Overmixing toughens; gentle handling keeps them soft.

These steps make roll out sugar cookies foolproof. Watch dough color; pale means chewy. Experiment with cutters for personalized designs.

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Christmas Sugar Cookies

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

Eggs provide binding; replace with 2 tbsp applesauce or yogurt per egg for softer vegan Christmas cookies. Butter alternatives include coconut oil for tropical twist or margarine for dairy-free. Main flour swap to almond flour (2 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup starch) yields nutty, low-carb soft sugar cookies.

Sugar options: Coconut sugar keeps moisture, or monk fruit for zero-calorie. Test small batches; these keep classic cookie recipe integrity.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

No veggies needed, but add 1/4 cup pumpkin puree for spiced holiday cookies. Icing as sauce: Swap corn syrup for honey, thin with coconut milk. Seasonings vary with peppermint extract for minty blast or lemon zest for brightness.

Low-sugar icing uses stevia blend. These tweaks suit seniors or working professionals seeking lighter festive treats.

Mastering Christmas Sugar Cookies: Advanced Tips and Variations

Take your cookie recipe to pro level with these pointers.

Pro cooking techniques: Chill cutters in freezer for clean edges. Use pizza cutter for straight lines on rolled dough. Double-pan baking prevents bottoms browning too fast.

Flavor variations: Mix cinnamon into dough for snickerdoodle Christmas cookies. Add chocolate chips for stuffed versions. Lemon icing pairs with berry sprinkles.

Presentation tips: Stack on tiers with greenery. Pipe names for gifts. Learn more from pro decorating guides.

Make-ahead options: Freeze dough balls 3 months; bake fresh. Ice ahead, store separated. Pair with our cream cheese cookies for variety or no-churn vanilla ice cream for sundaes.

These tweaks turn simple holiday cookies into showstoppers that wow guests.

How to Store Christmas Sugar Cookies: Best Practices

Keep your decorated Christmas cookies fresh with smart storage.

Refrigeration: Layer iced cookies between wax paper in container; lasts 5-7 days. Avoid direct contact to prevent smudging.

Freezing: Freeze uniced 3 months in freezer bags. Thaw, ice fresh. Iced: Up to 2 weeks, but colors may fade.

Reheating: Room temp best; oven 300°F 2 minutes revives crispness. Never microwave icing.

Meal prep considerations: Bake dough logs, slice as needed. Great for batch cooking seniors or professionals.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Sugar Cookies

Christmas Sugar Cookies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

🎄 Spread holiday cheer with these delightful sugar cookies that are perfect for family traditions and festive gatherings.
🍪 Discover the joy of easy decorating with simple icing, creating personalized treats that everyone will love.

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 30 cookies

Ingredients

– 3 cups all-purpose flour

– 1 teaspoon baking soda

– 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

– 1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar

– 2 large eggs

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

– Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar

– 4 cups powdered sugar

– 1/4 cup milk

– 1/4 cup light corn syrup

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– Gel food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-First Step: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking for your best Christmas cookie recipe.

2-Second Step: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon baking powder. Set aside. Dry ingredients blend evenly for consistent results in cutout cookies.

3-Third Step: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape sides often. Creaming incorporates air for tender texture.

4-Fourth Step: Add 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. The wet mix should look smooth and pale.

5-Fifth Step: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet on low speed. Stop mixing once combined to avoid tough cookies. Dough will be soft; divide into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill 30 minutes. Chilling firms for easy rolling.

6-Sixth Step: On a floured surface, roll one disc to 1/4-inch thickness. Use Christmas cookie cutters for shapes like snowflakes or reindeer. Place 2 inches apart on sheets. Reroll scraps once for max yield.

7-Seventh Step: Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Centers stay pale for soft centers. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then wire rack.

8-Eighth Step: Repeat with remaining dough. Yield about 36 cookies. For crispier edges, bake 10-12 minutes.

9-Ninth Step: Whisk 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup corn syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. Divide into bowls, tint with gel colors. Thin with drops of milk for flooding icing.

10-Tenth Step: Outline cookies with piping bag, fill centers, add sprinkles. Let set 1-2 hours. For royal icing fans, this simple icing recipe dries shiny. Similar techniques shine in award-winning Christmas sugar cookies.

11-Final Step: Store in airtight container. Serve at room temp with milk. Total time: 1.5 hours active, plus setting. Tips: Dust cutters with flour. Overmixing toughens; gentle handling keeps them soft.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🎄 Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure the cookies hold their festive shapes without spreading.
🍪 Roll dough between two sheets of parchment paper for easy handling and no sticking.
❄️ Prepare icing in small batches to keep it fresh and prevent drying out during decoration.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg