These Christmas buttercream cookies are festive treats that are perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft and chewy, these cookies are topped with a rich buttercream frosting that adds a delightful sweetness.
This recipe is simple and can be customized with various colors and decorations to match your holiday theme.
Creating the Perfect Holiday Atmosphere
Setting the scene for your festive gathering can be as delightful as baking itself.
Decorating your space with holiday ornaments, twinkling lights, and cheerful colors can elevate the mood and create a warm, inviting environment.
Consider using tablecloths adorned with seasonal patterns and centerpieces that reflect the joy of the season.
Choosing Your Cookie Shapes
The beauty of Christmas buttercream cookies lies in their variety.
Opt for classic shapes such as stars, trees, and snowflakes to capture the essence of the holiday.
These shapes not only appeal to the eye but also allow for creative expression when it comes to decorating.
Buttercream Frosting: A Canvas for Creativity
Buttercream frosting is the star of the show when it comes to decorating your cookies.
Its smooth texture makes it easy to spread and pipe, allowing for intricate designs and vibrant colors.
Feel free to experiment with different flavors and shades to match your festive theme.
Decorating Techniques to Try
Once your cookies are baked and cooled, it’s time to bring them to life with frosting and sprinkles.
Use piping bags for detailed designs or simply spread the buttercream with a spatula for a more rustic look.
Sprinkles add a fun touch, so don’t hesitate to sprinkle generously!
Sharing the Joy of Baking
Baking Christmas cookies can be a wonderful activity to share with family and friends.
Gather loved ones in the kitchen to roll out dough, cut shapes, and decorate together.
This not only creates lasting memories but also fills your home with the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies.
Storing Your Festive Treats
Once your cookies are decorated, proper storage is key to keeping them fresh.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness.
If you’re planning to make them ahead of time, consider freezing the undecorated cookies and frosting them closer to your event.
Festive Buttercream Cookies for the Holidays
These cookies are made with a buttery dough that is rolled, cut into shapes, and baked until lightly golden. Once cooled, they are generously frosted with a creamy buttercream that can be flavored and colored to your liking. The recipe yields about 24 cookies.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until just combined.
- Shape Cookies: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare Buttercream: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla extract, and beat until creamy. Add food coloring if desired.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the buttercream and add sprinkles if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 22g