Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (2024)

Christmas Sugar Cookiesare the absolute best cookies ever!!! They are buttery, sweet, and scrumptious. Decorated with a beautiful marshmallow tasting icing, these cut out sugar cookies are baked to perfection – soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the edges. They are the #1 most requested cookie every year. They’re literally the perfect cookies for the holiday.

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (1)

There’s a helpful video in this post that you canwatch to see the cookies being made!Watching the electric mixer combine the simple ingredients is soothing.

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (2)

Christmas Sugar Cookies

I love that there’s so much that you can do with sugar cookies: have a cookie decorating party, package them as a gift for your loved ones, or leave them out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

The holiday season simply isn’t complete without Christmas sugar cookies! Top them with festive sprinkles and don’t forget to use your favorite cookie cutters.

Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked cookies or the joy of decorating and sharing them with others.

I use this recipe every year, and it is the best sugar cookie recipe for decorating. The cookies hold their shape well and don’t spread out while baking.

With mybest tasting sugar cookie icing, you can decorate the cookies with a delicous glossy shine.

Your soft sugar cookies will look professional and taste absolutely amazing. If you love this Christmas sugar cookie recipe, try myChristmas Pinwheel Cookiesnext!

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (3)

Christmas Sugar Cookies Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Unsalted Butter– Using unsalted butter gives you more control over how much salt is in the overall recipe.

    But if you only have salted butter on hand, you can use that instead – just omit additional salt from the recipe.

  • Granulated Sugar– Cream sugar with the butter, softened at room temperature.
  • Eggs– This will bind your dough together.
  • Vanilla Extract and Almond Extract– These add flavor to the dough. You can skip the almond extract or use imitation, if allergies are a concern.

    Other flavors, including lemon or maple, make great replacements!

  • Flour– Regular all-purpose flour is recommended, but you can use any cup-for-cup all-purpose gluten free flour with this sugar cookie recipe, and they will turn out amazing!
  • Salt– Omit this ingredient if you decide to use salted butter.
  • Best Ever Sugar Cookie Icing– Ready in just 5 minutes, you’ll love how easy this icing is to whip up!
Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (4)

Christmas Sugar Cookies – Step by Step Instructions

Make The Dough

Start by creaming the softened butter and granulated sugar together. The texture should be light and fluffy, and the color will change to pale yellow.

Mix in the eggs and extracts until combined. Then, add the dry ingredients and blend until smooth.

Divide the dough into two even discs. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least one hour.

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (5)

Roll It Out

Working with one disc at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.

Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes, then carefully transfer them to lined baking sheets.

Next, place the trays in the refrigerator to chill for another 15 minutes before baking. This helps them to hold their shape.

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (6)

Bake, Cool, and Decorate

Transfer the baking sheets from the refrigerator straight to the oven, and bake until the cut out sugar cookies start to brown around the edges.

Let them sit on the pan for a few minutes to finish baking, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Finally, decorate them with mySugar Cookie Icingfor a beautiful glossy finish! You can use any colors, sprinkles, or sugar pearls to get your desired look.

UseDecorating Squeeze Bottlesfor easier decorating and minimal clean up.

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (7)

Tips and Tricks for Cut Out Sugar Cookies

  • Prevent Sticky Dough.Keep adding a little more flour until the dough is tacky, meaning it doesn’t stick to your finger when touched.
  • Space Cookies Out.Place cookie cutouts at least one inch apart so that the heat of the oven has space to move and the cookies can bake evenly.
  • Rotate Halfway Through.Not all ovens have perfectly even heat.

    Rotating your cookie tray halfway through the baking time will help ensure that no cookies end up burnt or undercooked.

  • Time Batches Carefully.Allow each baking sheet to cool a bit before placing new cut-outs on the tray.

    This guarantees that the heat doesn’t melt your dough or cause it to lose its shape before it can start baking.

  • Cool Completely.The cookies will firm up as they cool. Make sure they are completely cooled before you decorate or transfer them to a container.
Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (8)

How to Prevent Sugar Cookies From Spreading

First,don’t use any leavening agents! That means no baking soda or baking powder — it’s the secret to get cut out cookies to hold their shape.

This is a tip I picked up from a bakery over 20 years ago. Makes them perfect every time.

Next,allow your butter to softenbefore creaming it with the sugar for a smooth consistency. But, don’t use melted butter!

This will thin your dough and create flat cookies.

I also recommend letting your eggs sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you use them.

Room temperature eggs are best for baking as they are easier to mix and incorporate into a dough.

Finally,chill your dough twice. Refrigerate it for at least an hour before rolling and cutting, then chill your shapes again on the trays for about 15 minutes before baking them — this will ensure that the cookies hold their shape.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

  • Stand mixeror large mixing bowl withhand mixerfor making the dough.
  • Baking Sheets– Used for anything from cookies to roasting, a good baking pan will last for years.
  • Silpat Mat– There are so many uses! Roll out doughs, cut out cookies and biscuits, or make other desserts. It even provides a non-slip surface for transporting pots and pans.
  • Cooling Racks– I like these because you can cool a large batch of treats without taking up a lot of counter space.
  • Adjustable Rolling Pin with Removable Rings– flattens dough to ensure uniform baking.
Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (9)

Christmas Sugar Cookies FAQ

How do I keep my sugar cookies soft?

Make sure to not over-bake the cookies in the oven. They are ready once the edges start to turn a beautiful golden brown color. Cookies naturally firm up while they cool on a pan or rack, so don’t worry about trying to get them crispy in the oven.

Store them in an airtight container after fully cooled so that they retain their soft, delicate texture.

Can I freeze homemade sugar cookie dough?

Absolutely! This dough is perfect for preparing in advance and should be used within 1 month for best results.

Form the dough in a ball, then gently flatten it into a disc. Wrap the disc tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe storage bag. Thaw in the refrigerator once you’re ready to use.

You can even freeze iced sugar cookies! Layer with parchment paper in an airtight container and store for up to 3 months. If you happen to store them in a freezer bag, make sure that you lay the bag down gently in the freezer so that the holiday sugar cookies don’t break.

You can freeze this family favorite cookie recipe without frosting, and then frost the best sugar cookies once you thaw them and are ready to serve. One of the best things about these baked sugar cookies is that you can make them for Santa’s favorite cookies, or make them for a cookie exchange with family and friends.

How can I ship these sugar Christmas cookies to family and friends?

We got this brilliant tip for shipping cookies from our friend who owns a cookie shop, and it works so well.

Package the cookies in individualcookie bagsand tape them to a piece of cardboard. Wrap the cardboard in bubble wrap, and then stack multiple layers of cookies in your shipping container.

What other toppings can I add to this easy sugar cookie recipe?

You can add white frosting, powdered sugar, or even a simple glaze and lemon zest. That’s the fun thing about making these yummy homemade sugar cookies – they’re perfect with sweet icing or any other topping that you want.

Be sure to add this to your list of holiday cookie recipes because one batch of cookies isn’t going to be enough!

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (10)

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook|Twitter|Pinterest|Instagram

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (11)

Other Recipe Links

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (16)

Christmas Sugar Cookies + Video

Donna Elick

Christmas Sugar Cookies are delicious! These no spread cut out sugar cookies are perfect to leave out for Santa or take to a cookie swap.

5 stars from 7 reviews

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 11 minutes mins

Chill Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 26 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Method Oven

Servings 36 Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, 2 sticks, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Best Ever Sugar Cookie Icing
  • Pearl Sugar Balls, dragees

Instructions

  • In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter and sugar, on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).

  • Add the eggs, vanilla and almond. Beat until combined. Add the salt and 3 cups of flour; beat until you have a smooth dough. If the dough is sticky (meaning when you touch it and pull your fingers away the dough sticks to you), add more flour a tablespoon at a time until it comes together. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about one hour or until firm enough to roll.

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat mats.

  • Remove half of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. (Keep turning the dough as you roll, making sure the dough does not stick to the counter.)

  • Cut out desired shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter and transfer cookies to baking sheet.

  • Place the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to chill the dough which prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape while baking. Note: If you are not going to frost the baked cookies, you can sprinkle the unbaked cookies with sparkling sugar at this point.

  • Bake the cookies for about 9-11 minutes (depending on size) or until the edges are just starting to brown. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

  • Decorate the cookies with Best Ever Sugar Cookie Icing if desired. Be sure to let the icing dry completely before storing. (This may take several hours or overnight.)

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 121cal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 37mg | Sugar: 6g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (17)

Originally published December 2012, updated and republished November 2023

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (18)

Share

Pin

Email

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe + Video (2024)

FAQs

How long before Christmas should you make Christmas cookies? ›

You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.

How do I get better at decorating sugar cookies? ›

Start by outlining the cookie with piping-consistency icing in any color you choose. Then, use flooding-consistency icing to fill the outlined area, starting by flooding around the edges and working your way towards the center. If the flooding is inconsistent in thickness, redistribute the wet icing with a toothpick.

What is America's favorite Christmas cookie? ›

America's favorite Christmas cookie: Gingerbread and chocolate chip fall to frosted sugar – NBC New York.

What is America's favorite Christmas cookies? ›

Speaking of holiday baking, nearly half of the country has a favorite Christmas cookie. Among those who can make a single choice, frosted sugar cookies lead the list (32%), with gingerbread (12%) and chocolate chip (11%) rounding out the top three.

What Christmas cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

Shortbread and spritz cookies are longer-lasting cookies, which means they are perfect for holidays when there is some competition on the table. After all, Christmas in many homes is celebrated with a variety of dishes and sweet treats.

Should Christmas cookies be soft or hard? ›

Sugar cookies, to me, should have a buttery dryness to them, but crumble easily. I've used shortbread cookie dough to make decorated sugar cookies and they turn out great. They're rigid enough to survive handling, but have a nice buttery chew.

How do you keep Christmas cookies from getting hard? ›

Keep Them Sealed

The key to keeping cookies fresh and soft is to seal them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag. And here's a nifty little trick: add a piece of bread to the bag.

What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.

What is the second most popular Christmas cookie? ›

Chocolate chip cookies hold a wider margin over their nearest rivals, with second-placed sugar cookies fourteen points behind at 64%. Fudge comes in third on 63%, followed by brownie cookies or brookies (61%), double chocolate cookies (61%), M&M cookies (61%), and shortbread cookies (61%).

What is the number 1 cookie brand? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What does extra sugar do to cookies? ›

By adding extra sugar, you can bake the cookies to a slightly higher temperature without over-baking, which will allow for a crispier final cookie as well as deeper flavor development.

How to fancy up sugar cookie mix? ›

Take plain sugar cookies up a notch with exciting mix-ins like chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, toasted chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit or M&M's. Add these after blending your butter and egg into the sugar cookie mix. This is our favorite hack for holiday Pillsbury cookie dough.

What do professionals use to decorate cookies? ›

With these in your arsenal, all you'll need to bring to the pastry kitchen is a little artistic sensibility.
  • Rolling pin with thickness rings. ...
  • Piping tips and couplers. ...
  • Piping bags. ...
  • Piping bag ties. ...
  • Scribe tool. ...
  • Gel food coloring. ...
  • Edible paint pens.
Aug 27, 2019

What is the most popular cookie for Santa? ›

Chocolate Chip cookies

Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!

What are the most Googled Christmas cookies? ›

Italian Christmas Cookies grow as top cookie

Zoom in: Italian Christmas Cookies were the top cookie in 13 states, more than double the six states from 2022, Google Trends curator Katie Seaton told Axios. Seaton said the Italian cookies dominated the East Coast both this year and last year.

What is the number one selling cookie? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co. But did you know Oreos are a copycat product?

What is the #1 cookie in the US? ›

Nearly 93% of all American households serve and enjoy cookies as treats or after meals. However, it's the chocolate chip cookie that's the most popular in the U.S. and around the world. How much do youknow about chocolate chip cookies?

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5305

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.