If you’re dreaming of festive treats that bring back childhood joy and fill your home with warm holiday scents, this Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe is just the thing to bake up some magic. These cookies are delightfully buttery and tender, yet sturdy enough to hold all your favorite shapes and festive decorations. Whether you want classic stars, snowflakes, or candy canes, this recipe delivers perfectly every time, making holiday baking a fun, creative experience that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these Christmas cut-out sugar cookies requires simple, classic ingredients that work together beautifully to create a tender, flavorful base perfect for decorating. Each component plays an important role in the taste, texture, or appearance of the cookies.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy dough when creamed with butter.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for a perfect cookie consistency.
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract: Brings a warm, sweet aroma that enhances overall flavor.
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle nutty note, giving the cookies a special holiday twist.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy base of the dough, allowing the cookies to hold their shape.
- ¾ tsp baking powder: Provides a gentle lift to keep cookies light and tender, not tough.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: The foundation of the royal icing, perfect for decorating.
- 2–3 tbsp milk: Adjusts icing consistency for smooth spreading or piping.
- ½ tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the icing with extra flavor and sweetness.
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional): Bring festive colors and sparkle to your cookies for that holiday wow factor.
How to Make Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Start by beating the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, making your cookies tender and slightly airy once baked.
Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. These ingredients add moisture, flavor, and richness, turning your buttery base into the perfect cookie dough.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until fully combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent so your cookies rise just right.
Step 4: Mix Dry with Wet Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies might turn out too dense or tough. The dough should come together smoothly.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and pop them into the fridge for at least an hour. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut into crisp, well-defined shapes.
Step 6: Preheat Oven and Roll Dough
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness—thin enough to bake evenly but thick enough for sturdy cookies.
Step 7: Cut Out Shapes
Use your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough. Arrange the cut-outs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each cookie to prevent sticking.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just start turning golden. This subtle color is a sign they’re perfectly baked—soft in the center with a slight crisp around the edges.
Step 9: Cool and Decorate
Let your cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Make your icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then use food coloring and sprinkles to personalize your festive masterpieces.
How to Serve Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a touch of festive cheer is easy with colorful icing and sprinkles. From delicate snowflake patterns to vibrant red and green dots, garnishes bring these cookies to life and make the experience even more joyful for those who get to enjoy them.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of cocoa, a cinnamon-spiced latte, or even a glass of cold milk. Serving them alongside holiday punch or mulled wine turns your dessert into a full festive treat perfect for get-togethers.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your decorated cookies on a charming holiday platter or package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons. For gifting, stack them with parchment paper in a festive box. These thoughtful touches make your Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe even more special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and keep those delicate decorations intact.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough discs before rolling to save time later; just thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out. Decorated cookies also freeze well—just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers.
Reheating
Since these cookies are best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature, reheating is not necessary. If you prefer your cookies a bit warm, a few seconds in the microwave will soften them slightly, but be careful not to melt your icing!
FAQs
Can I use almond extract instead of vanilla extract?
Almond extract adds a lovely flavor twist, but it’s best used alongside vanilla rather than as a full substitute to keep a balanced, classic sugar cookie taste.
How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking is key to preventing spreading. Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies nice and neat.
What’s the best way to roll out the dough evenly?
Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper helps maintain an even thickness and prevents sticking, making your cut-outs crisp and uniform.
How do I make the icing less runny for decorating?
Add powdered sugar gradually to thicken the icing and a little milk to thin it out. For pipe-friendly consistency, it should be thick enough to hold shape but still smooth enough to flow.
Can I use cookie cutters of any shape?
Absolutely! This Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe works with every shape you want, from traditional holiday figures to fun, personalized designs.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe is a festive baking adventure that’s as much fun to make as it is to eat. It’s perfect for creating sweet holiday memories, whether you’re baking with family, gifting to friends, or simply treating yourself to a classic seasonal treat. Give it a try, and watch your holiday celebrations shine a little brighter with every delicious bite.
Print
Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, buttery, and easy to decorate, these cookies are made from a simple dough that chills to the perfect consistency, rolled out and cut into festive shapes. Finished with sweet vanilla icing and optional sprinkles or food coloring, these cookies are a fun and delicious holiday tradition.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create tender cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and producing tough cookies.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This firms the dough, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼ inch thickness for even, consistent baking.
- Cut Out Cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut festive shapes from the dough, then transfer the shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookie edges just begin to turn golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and tender.
- Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Use food coloring and sprinkles as desired for festive decoration.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for clean cookie shapes and preventing spreading during baking.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets to avoid sticking and for easy cleanup.
- For best results, allow cookies to cool completely before icing to avoid melting the decoration.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- This recipe can be doubled easily to make more cookies for large gatherings.
