Dreamy Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Crafting delightful soft christmas cookies sparks joy in every kitchen, filling the air with nostalgic warmth and sweet anticipation.

Memories of childhood baking adventures dance through my mind whenever I mix these tender, melt-in-mouth treats.

Generations of bakers have perfected this simple yet magical recipe, passing down secrets from one generation to another.

Flour, butter, and sugar combine to create something truly special that connects us to cherished moments.

Gentle mixing and careful baking transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary delights that bring smiles to faces.

Festive sprinkles and delicate decorations make these cookies a perfect centerpiece for holiday gatherings.

I promise you’ll fall in love with this recipe that turns ordinary afternoons into memorable celebration moments.

Why Soft Christmas Cookies Are A Holiday Favorite

• Create Festive Memories: Craft adorable Christmas-themed cookies that bring families together with fun cookie-cutting and decorating activities.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Perfect for beginners, this recipe teaches fundamental cookie-making skills with minimal complicated steps and basic ingredients.
• Versatile Holiday Treat: Customize these soft cookies with different shapes, colors, and decorations to suit any holiday party or family gathering, making them a flexible dessert option.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engaging young bakers in rolling, cutting, and decorating provides an interactive and enjoyable cooking experience that creates lasting holiday traditions.

Ingredients For Soft Christmas Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, golden cookie.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Flour, Baking Powder: Create the basic structure of the cookie and help it rise slightly during baking.

• Confectioners Sugar: Used for icing to add a sweet, smooth finishing touch to the Christmas cookies.

Step-By-Step Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and uniform, creating a smooth base for your delightful Christmas treats.

Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Add eggs and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, whisking thoroughly until all components are perfectly combined and the batter looks silky.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough

Gradually fold in flour and baking powder, stirring gently until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Mix carefully to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.

Step 4: Chill Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This resting period helps develop flavor and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Space

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Clear a clean, flat surface and dust it lightly with flour for rolling out the dough.

Step 6: Roll and Shape Cookies

On the floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness between 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Use festive holiday cookie cutters to create fun shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Transfer cut-out cookie shapes to an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them approximately one inch apart to allow room for slight spreading during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully until edges turn a light golden color, indicating they’re perfectly done.

Step 9: Cool and Decorate

Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, decorate with confectioners’ sugar icing for a festive touch.

Pro Tips For Soft Christmas Cookies

• Chill the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creates better texture.
• Dust your rolling pin and work surface with powdered sugar instead of flour to prevent cookies from becoming dry or tough.
• For gluten-free options, swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, adjusting liquid ratios slightly.
• Decorate cookies with royal icing or colored sugar for festive holiday designs that make them visually appealing and fun to share.

Flavor Variations For Soft Christmas Cookies

• Holiday Spice Cookies: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dough for a warm, festive flavor that captures the essence of Christmas.
• Chocolate Dipped Cookies: After baking and cooling, dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes for a decadent treat.
• Lemon Zest Cookies: Mix fresh lemon zest into the dough and create a light lemon glaze using powdered sugar and lemon juice for a bright, citrusy version.
• Almond Shortbread Style: Replace part of the flour with almond flour and add almond extract for a rich, nutty profile that melts in your mouth.

Pairing Suggestions For Soft Christmas Cookies

• Pair with Festive Mulled Wine: Warm spiced wine complements the sweet softness of Christmas cookies, creating a cozy holiday flavor combination that warms your heart and enhances the cookie's delicate taste.
• Create a Hot Cocoa Station: Rich, creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream provides a perfect dipping companion for these soft Christmas cookies, making each bite more indulgent and comforting.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve these cookies slightly warm alongside a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold creaminess contrast beautifully with the cookie's tender texture and sweet profile.
• Enjoy with Classic Eggnog: Traditional eggnog's rich, nutmeg-spiced flavor pairs wonderfully with the light, buttery notes of Christmas cookies, creating a classic holiday treat experience that celebrates seasonal traditions.

How To Store Soft Christmas Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Keep decorated cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place a piece of bread inside to help maintain moisture and softness.

FAQs About Soft Christmas Cookies

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Dust your work surface with flour and keep the dough chilled before cutting and baking. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator. This also helps develop better flavor.

• What if my dough is too sticky to roll out?

Add a little more flour gradually to the dough and dust your rolling pin and surface with flour. Work quickly to keep the dough cool.

• How thick should I roll the cookie dough?

Roll the dough between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick for best results. Consistent thickness ensures even baking and a soft texture.

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 26 to 28 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Soft Christmas Cookies blend festive warmth with buttery sweetness, offering a melt-in-your-mouth holiday treat. Sprinkled with seasonal cheer, these cookies bring comfort and joy to winter gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened (226 grams)
• 1 cup white sugar (200 grams)
• 2 eggs

Flavoring and Leavening Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Decorative Ingredients:

• Assorted food coloring
• 2 cups confectioners sugar (for icing) (240 grams)

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Instructions

1. Whip butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
2. Incorporate eggs and vanilla, blending thoroughly until ingredients are seamlessly integrated.
3. Gradually fold in flour and baking powder, gently stirring until a cohesive dough emerges.
4. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for minimum 60 minutes to firm up texture.
5. Heat oven to precisely 400F (200C), ensuring consistent temperature.
6. Dust work surface with flour and roll dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness, creating an even base.
7. Select festive cookie cutters and decisively press into rolled dough, extracting crisp holiday shapes.
8. Arrange cookie silhouettes strategically on ungreased baking sheets, maintaining 1-inch spacing between each.
9. Slide trays into preheated oven, baking for 6-8 minutes until edges transform to delicate golden hues.
10. Allow cookies to completely cool on wire racks before adorning with decorative confectioners sugar icing.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape during baking.
• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that incorporates ingredients perfectly.
• Dust rolling pin and surface with powdered sugar instead of flour to prevent cookies from becoming tough and dry.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that maintains the cookie’s tender texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 to 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 192
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 93 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg