These Christmas sugar cookies are soft, sweet, and ready to spread holiday cheer! Decorate them with icing and sprinkles for a festive touch that looks as good as it tastes.
Nothing warms my heart like the smell of these cookies baking. Plus, it’s a great excuse to snatch a few while they’re still warm—who could resist? 🎅
I love making these cookies with friends or family during the holidays. It’s so simple and we usually end up with a delicious pile of treats perfect for sharing or munching on! 🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cookies, giving them structure. If you want a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. I’ve found those blends work really nicely!
Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal since you can control the saltiness of the cookies. If you’re in a pinch, margarine or coconut oil can be used, but the flavor may vary slightly.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the cookies and helps them spread. You can swap some of the sugar for brown sugar for a deeper flavor. Honey or maple syrup can also work, but you’ll need to adjust the dry ingredients accordingly.
Almond Extract: This adds a lovely nutty flavor. If you don’t have any or want to keep it nut-free, simply leave it out or use an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Meringue Powder: It’s essential for royal icing’s stability. If you can’t find it, you can use egg whites as a substitute. Just be sure your eggs are fresh!
How Do I Get Perfectly Rolled Cookie Dough?
Rolling out cookie dough can be tricky, but it’s essential for even cookies. Start with chilled dough to prevent sticking. Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin to keep things smooth.
- Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. If it’s too soft, it may stick; if it’s too hard, let it warm up a bit.
- Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes. If cutters stick to the dough, dip them in flour.
- Keep the cookies at least an inch apart on the baking sheet to allow for spreading.
Don’t worry if some shapes get a bit wonky. Each cookie has its own personality! Just remember, they’ll still taste great.
What’s the Best Way to Decorate with Royal Icing?
Decorating your cookies can be one of the funnest parts! Start with completely cooled cookies to avoid melting the icing. Here’s how to perfect your royal icing technique:
- Using piping bags or squeeze bottles gives you better control for outlining and filling.
- For flooding, you want a slightly thinner consistency, so add a bit more water. It should settle quickly in the bowl.
- Don’t forget to let each layer of icing dry completely, especially if you’re adding details!
Have fun creating snowmen with cute scarves or trees with colorful ornaments! Remember, practice makes perfect and every cookie is a work of art.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 9-10 tablespoons warm water (adjust for consistency)
- Food coloring (red, green, white, black, orange, pink, gold dust, etc.)
- Edible decorations like sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Christmas sugar cookie recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare, an additional 10 minutes to bake, and then about 4 hours to cool and decorate (preferably overnight for best results). You’ll be left with delicious treats that are perfect for sharing during the festive season!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This mixture will give your cookies the right texture, so it’s important to mix it well. Set aside for later.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture!
3. Mix in the Egg and Extracts:
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until everything is well combined. The extracts will give your cookies that lovely holiday flavor!
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough. You want them soft and tender!
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough into two balls, flatten each into a disk, wrap them in cling film, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading when baking.
6. Preheat the Oven:
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Also, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
7. Roll Out the Dough:
Take one disk of dough out of the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like trees, snowflakes, snowmen, and stars. Place the cutouts about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake! Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the Royal Icing:
While the cookies are cooling, prepare your royal icing by combining the sifted powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water in a medium bowl. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, which will take about 5-7 minutes. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little more water if needed. Divide the icing into separate bowls and color as desired using food coloring.
10. Decorate the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate! Use piping bags or squeeze bottles filled with royal icing to outline and fill your cookies. Get creative with your designs, adding details like eyes, scarves, and festive patterns. Let the decorated cookies dry completely, ideally for a few hours or overnight.
11. Store and Enjoy:
Once dried, store your beautifully decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Enjoy your holiday spirit with these festive Christmas sugar cookies!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but the texture may be denser. Consider using a 50/50 mix of whole wheat and all-purpose for a lighter texture while still adding some whole grain goodness!
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough before or after cutting the shapes. Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out and baking.
What Should I Do if My Sugar Cookies Spread Too Much While Baking?
If your cookies spread too much, it might be due to softened butter or not chilling the dough long enough. Make sure your butter is softened just to room temperature and chill the dough for at least an hour before baking. You can also consider adding a bit more flour to the dough.
How Can I Make the Royal Icing Dry Faster?
To speed up drying, make sure to use a fan or place the cookies in a cool, dry environment. Ensure each layer of icing dries completely before applying additional decorations, which can also help the entire design set faster.
