If there’s one dessert that captures the magic of Christmas, it’s the classic sugar cookie. Soft, buttery, perfectly sweet, and beautifully decorated — these cookies are the heart of every holiday baking tradition. The scent of vanilla and butter filling the kitchen, the joy of decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles, and that first melt-in-your-mouth bite all feel like Christmas wrapped in cookie form.
This sugar cookie recipe is my festive go-to every December. It’s easy, reliable, and turns out perfectly shaped cookies every single time — tender on the inside, lightly crisp on the edges, and full of that cozy holiday flavor we love. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, leaving treats for Santa, or enjoying a quiet night with hot cocoa, these cookies absolutely scream Christmas.
2. Ingredients
This recipe uses simple pantry staples that combine into the ultimate holiday sugar cookie dough — buttery, rich, and perfect for cutting into your favorite festive shapes.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but gives a classic bakery flavor)
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Icing (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, green, or gold for Christmas!)
- Sprinkles, sugar pearls, or edible glitter for decorating
Key Ingredients
- Butter: Creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the perfect golden edge.
- Vanilla + Almond Extract: The combination gives a true holiday cookie aroma.
- Flour: Gives structure and a soft crumb.
- Powdered Sugar Icing: Smooth, sweet, and perfect for decorating your festive designs.
Optional Add-Ons / Variations
- Citrus Twist: Add a little orange or lemon zest to brighten flavor.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Roll cookies in cinnamon sugar before baking for a snickerdoodle-like twist.
- Frosted Sugar Cookies: Spread with thick buttercream instead of icing.
- Chocolate Dipped: Dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes.
- Spiced Christmas Version: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe follows a simple baking workflow: mix the dough, chill, cut, bake, and decorate!
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare cookie cutters, rolling pin, and decorating supplies.
- Make sure butter is soft but not melted.
Cooking Steps
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add Egg and Flavorings: Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Make the Dough: Add dry mixture to wet mixture gradually until a soft dough forms.
- Chill: Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (this helps the cookies hold their shape).
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into holiday shapes — stars, trees, snowflakes, candy canes, or bells.
- Bake: Place cookies on baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until edges are slightly golden.
- Cool: Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Decorate: Use icing, sprinkles, or melted chocolate to add Christmas flair!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with mugs of hot cocoa or warm apple cider.
- Arrange on a platter with gingerbread and chocolate cookies for a festive cookie tray.
- Pack into tins for neighbors, teachers, or friends as gifts.
- Use different colored icing to make themed cookie sets.
- Let kids help decorate — it’s half the fun!
4. Tips, Substitutions & Notes
These tips help ensure your Christmas sugar cookies come out soft, buttery, and picture-perfect every time.
Pro Tips for Better Results
- Chill your dough—this prevents spreading and keeps the shapes clean.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour — it keeps cookies tender.
- Bake just until edges set—they’ll finish cooking as they cool.
- Cool fully before decorating to avoid melting your icing.
- Use room-temperature ingredients for the smoothest dough.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the chill — cookies will lose their shape.
- Overbaking — they’ll turn crisp instead of soft.
- Using hot baking sheets — can cause uneven baking.
- Adding too much flour — dough becomes dry and tough.
- Rushing the icing — it needs a few hours to dry completely if stacking cookies.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Butter: Use margarine or plant-based butter for dairy-free version.
- Flour: Substitute with gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Egg: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) for egg-free version.
- Sugar: Use organic cane sugar or coconut sugar (slightly darker result).
- Almond Extract: Skip if allergic — vanilla alone is still delicious.
Texture, Flavor, or Health Variations
- Thicker Cookies: Roll dough slightly thicker (⅜-inch).
- Extra Flavor: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
- Healthier Option: Replace half the flour with almond flour for a softer, nutty cookie.
- Frosting Alternative: Top with a dusting of powdered sugar for simplicity.
- Crunchy Edge: Sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking.
5. Storage & Reheating
These cookies are make-ahead friendly — ideal for busy holiday schedules!
Refrigeration
Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Keep decorated cookies separate with parchment layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing
Freeze dough discs for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking.
Baked cookies also freeze well — decorate after thawing.
Reheating
- Oven: Warm cookies at 150°C (300°F) for 3–4 minutes for that fresh-baked aroma.
- Microwave: 5–8 seconds for a soft, just-baked feel.
6. Nutrition (Optional)
Estimated per cookie (without icing):
- Calories: ~120–150
- Carbohydrates: 16–18 g
- Fat: 6–8 g
- Sugar: 8–10 g
- Pure holiday happiness per bite!
7. Conclusion
These Christmas sugar cookies are everything the holidays should be — buttery, sweet, soft, and made with love. They’re fun to bake, even more fun to decorate, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone who tastes them. Whether you’re baking for Santa, gifting to loved ones, or just celebrating the joy of the season, this sugar cookie recipe truly screams Christmas. Once you make them, they’ll become a holiday tradition for years to come.