These festive Christmas cookies are soft and buttery, perfect for holiday gatherings. Decorated with colorful buttercream frosting, they make a delightful treat for family and friends.
The recipe is simple and allows for creativity in decorating. You can customize the shapes and colors to match your holiday theme.
Creating Festive Christmas Cookies
Christmas cookies bring joy and warmth to the holiday season.
Their soft, buttery texture makes them a favorite among family and friends.
These cookies are not just delicious; they also serve as a canvas for creativity, allowing for various shapes and vibrant decorations.
From stars to snowflakes, the possibilities are endless.
Each cookie can be uniquely adorned with colorful buttercream frosting and sprinkles, making them perfect for festive gatherings.
Gathering Your Ingredients
To create these delightful treats, start by assembling your ingredients.
You’ll need all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, unsalted butter, white sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract.
Don’t forget the salt, buttercream frosting in various colors, and sprinkles for that extra festive flair.
Having everything ready will streamline the process, making it enjoyable and efficient.
This preparation sets the stage for a fun baking experience.
Mixing and Baking the Cookies
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
While the oven warms up, whisk together the dry ingredients in a bowl.
In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until smooth.
Next, beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until well combined.
Gradually blend the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
Shape the dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets, flattening them slightly before baking.
Decorating Your Cookies
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
This step is crucial for ensuring the buttercream frosting adheres properly.
Once cooled, unleash your creativity by decorating each cookie with colorful buttercream frosting.
Use a variety of colors to create festive designs, and don’t hesitate to sprinkle on some edible decorations.
The visual appeal of these cookies will surely impress your guests.
Creating a Festive Display
Presentation is key when showcasing your beautifully decorated cookies.
Arrange them on a decorative platter, and consider adding twinkling fairy lights in the background.
This will create a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Consider using a variety of shapes and colors to make the display even more eye-catching.
A well-arranged platter of cookies not only delights the eyes but also enhances the festive spirit of your celebration.
Sharing the Joy of Christmas Cookies
These cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holiday season.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or gifting them to friends, they are sure to bring smiles.
Their delightful taste and beautiful appearance make them a cherished holiday treat.
Encourage family and friends to join in on the decorating fun, creating lasting memories together.
This festive activity can become a beloved tradition, bringing everyone closer during the holidays.
Easy Buttercream Decorated Christmas Cookies
This cookie recipe yields a batch of soft sugar cookies that are perfect for decorating. The cookies take about 30 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake, making them a fun and festive activity for the holiday season.
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 (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Buttercream frosting (various colors for decorating)
- Sprinkles and edible decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- 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 until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully incorporated.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 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.
- Decorate: Once cooled, use buttercream frosting to decorate the cookies as desired. Add sprinkles and edible decorations for a festive touch.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 21g