These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect for decorating with icing, sharing with family, or gifting to friends.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just getting into the holiday spirit, this simple recipe will help you create cookies that look festive and taste amazing without the stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies
For the Cookies
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, but adds amazing flavor)
For the Frosting (Optional but Recommended)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (or more as needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring & sprinkles for decoration
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract (plus almond extract if using).
Step 4: Combine
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until dough forms.
Step 5: Roll and Cut
Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough (about ¼ inch thick). Use Christmas cookie cutters stars, trees, snowflakes for festive shapes.
Step 6: Bake
Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool before decorating.
Step 7: Decorate
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the icing. Separate into small bowls and add food coloring. Use a piping bag or spoon to decorate.
Add sprinkles for that magical Christmas look!
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies
- Chill your dough for 30 minutes to keep cookies from spreading.
- Use room temperature butter for a smooth texture.
- For extra flavor, add orange zest or nutmeg to your dough.
- Let icing dry completely before stacking or packaging.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Fun for the whole family to make
✅ Perfect for gift boxes or cookie swaps
✅ Freezes well make ahead for parties
🎅 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Store baked cookies (undecorated) in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.
2. Can I skip the frosting?
Absolutely the cookies taste delicious plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
3. What if I don’t have cookie cutters?
Use a round glass, jar lid, or just roll dough into balls and flatten slightly.
Now you know how to make Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies that are festive, soft, and absolutely irresistible.
They’re perfect for family baking days, Christmas parties, or as homemade gifts wrapped in holiday ribbons.
