Jolly Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe for Sweet Holiday Magic

Sweet memories often swirl around these delightful christmas butter cookies that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Grandma’s kitchen always sparkled with buttery aromas during holiday baking sessions.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a magical texture that delights everyone.

Delicate and simple, these treats connect us to cherished traditions passed down through generations.

Baking becomes an intimate celebration of love and warmth when you mix these ingredients.

Light, crumbly, and wonderfully rich, these cookies promise to become your new seasonal favorite.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles spread across faces gathering around the festive plate.

Why Christmas Butter Cookies Are A Sweet Holiday Tradition

• Craft Holiday Magic: Transform simple ingredients into festive treats that capture the warmth and joy of Christmas celebrations.
• Customize with Creativity: Cut into classic holiday shapes like stars, snowflakes, or Christmas trees, making each batch unique and personalized for family fun.
• Quick Family Bonding: Involve kids in rolling, cutting, and decorating cookies, creating memorable moments and treasured family traditions.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make these cookies perfect for novice bakers wanting to impress with homemade holiday sweets.

Ingredients For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that provides a smooth texture and delicious flavor to the cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, crisp cookie texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cookie dough and provides structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, soft texture.

• Icing, Sprinkles: Adds a festive and colorful finish to the Christmas butter cookies, making them visually appealing and fun.

How To Make Christmas Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Turn your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and let it heat up while you prepare the cookie dough.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cookie Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light, using an electric mixer or whisk. The goal is to create a smooth, creamy texture that will make your cookies melt in your mouth.

Step 3: Enhance the Flavor

Add a fresh egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat these ingredients thoroughly until they are completely combined and the mixture looks silky and uniform.

Step 4: Form the Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder

Mix these into the wet ingredients slowly, stirring until a soft, pliable dough forms. The dough should hold together without being too sticky or too dry.

Step 5: Shape Your Cookies

Sprinkle some flour on your work surface to prevent sticking. Roll out the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create holiday shapes like stars, bells, or snowflakes.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer your shaped cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Slide the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a delicate golden color.

Step 7: Cool and Embellish

Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can decorate with royal icing, colorful sprinkles, or enjoy them in their simple, buttery glory.

Top Tips For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Dust the surface with powdered sugar instead of flour for a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that adds subtle sweetness to the cookies.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, clean cookie shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better incorporation of ingredients, which helps create a more uniform cookie texture.
• Avoid overbaking by watching the edges carefully; golden-brown edges indicate perfectly baked Christmas butter cookies with a delightful crisp exterior.
• Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain freshness and prevent sticking for up to one week.

Flavor Variations For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Holiday Cookies: Fold in chocolate chips into the dough for a rich, indulgent flavor that transforms the classic butter cookie.
• Lemon Zest Butter Cookies: Add fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the sweetness and adds a refreshing touch.
• Almond Snowflake Cookies: Mix ground almonds into the flour and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking to create a nutty, festive version with extra crunch.
• Peppermint Swirl Cookies: Incorporate crushed candy canes into the dough and drizzle melted white chocolate on top for a classic Christmas flavor combination.

Perfect Pairings For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Pair Festive Spiced Mulled Wine: Warm, aromatic mulled wine with cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest perfectly complements the buttery sweetness of Christmas cookies, creating a cozy holiday flavor experience.
• Serve with Creamy Eggnog: Rich, velvety eggnog balances the crisp texture of the butter cookies, adding a luxurious holiday touch that enhances the overall dessert enjoyment.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate: Smooth, indulgent hot chocolate with real vanilla bean intensifies the cookie's buttery notes, offering a comforting and nostalgic winter treat combination.
• Explore Maple Bourbon Latte: Sophisticated coffee drink with maple and bourbon undertones provides a warm, adult twist that beautifully complements the classic Christmas cookie flavor profile.

Storage Instructions For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap unbaked or baked cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze undecorated cookies for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a sealed container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep at room temperature for 3-4 days away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm cookies gently in the oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent texture loss and maintain crisp edges.

FAQs About Christmas Butter Cookies

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to roll and cut.

• What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal for Christmas butter cookies. It provides the perfect texture and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

• How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the butter firm up and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

A rolling pin, cookie cutters, and a baking sheet are the main tools you’ll need. A stand mixer can help, but hand mixing works perfectly fine too.

Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 28-30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Santa’s favorite Christmas Butter Cookies deliver melt-in-your-mouth sweetness with classic holiday charm. Buttery, delicate rounds sprinkled with festive sugar will make spirits bright for family and friends gathering around the cookie plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 large egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by preheating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth consistency.
3. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until the ingredients are completely integrated and the mixture appears uniform.
4. Sift the flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients, folding gently to create a cohesive dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
5. Dust a clean work surface with a light layer of flour, then carefully roll out the dough to an even 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin.
6. Select festive cookie cutters and press into the rolled dough, transferring the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet with careful spacing.
7. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indication of perfect doneness.
8. Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
9. Once cooled, embellish with royal icing, sprinkles, or enjoy the classic butter cookie in its simple, elegant form.

Notes

• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, easy creaming to achieve a light, fluffy texture.
• Use powdered sugar for a more delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookie consistency that creates a softer crumb.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and help cookie cutters create crisp, clean shapes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 170 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 110 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg