These classic Christmas sugar cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, sweet, and easy to decorate, they make a delightful addition to any holiday gathering.
This recipe is straightforward and allows for creativity with various icing and decoration options. You can customize them with sprinkles, colored icing, or even edible glitter to make them extra special.
Creating the Perfect Holiday Atmosphere
As the holiday season approaches, the joy of baking fills the air.
Decorating sugar cookies becomes a cherished tradition for many families.
These delightful treats not only satisfy sweet cravings but also bring loved ones together in a festive spirit.
Picture a cozy kitchen adorned with twinkling lights and the scent of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air.
The atmosphere is filled with laughter and creativity as everyone joins in to decorate cookies in various shapes.
Essential Ingredients for Sugar Cookies
To create these festive sugar cookies, simple ingredients are key.
Flour, sugar, butter, and eggs form the base of the dough, ensuring a soft and sweet cookie that is perfect for decorating.
Adding vanilla and almond extracts enhances the flavor, making each bite a delightful experience.
With just a few additional ingredients, you can transform these cookies into a holiday masterpiece.
Rolling and Shaping Your Cookies
The process of rolling out the dough and cutting it into festive shapes is where the fun begins.
Using cookie cutters, you can create stars, trees, and snowflakes, each ready to be adorned with colorful icing.
Once the dough is rolled and cut, flattening each shape slightly ensures even baking.
Sprinkling sugar on top adds a touch of sparkle before they go into the oven.
Baking to Perfection
As the cookies bake, the kitchen fills with a warm, inviting aroma.
Baking them at the right temperature is crucial to achieving that perfect golden color.
After a brief cooling period, the cookies are ready to be transformed into festive decorations.
This is where creativity truly shines!
Decorating Your Sugar Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to unleash your inner artist.
Using colorful icing and an array of sprinkles, each cookie can become a unique creation.
From intricate designs to simple patterns, the decorating process allows for endless possibilities.
Whether you prefer a classic look or something more whimsical, the choice is yours!
Sharing the Joy of Cookies
Once decorated, these cookies become a centerpiece for holiday gatherings.
They can be shared with friends and family, bringing smiles and sweet moments to everyone.
Displaying them on a festive plate surrounded by holiday decorations adds to the cheerful atmosphere.
Each bite not only satisfies a sweet tooth but also creates lasting memories during this special time of year.
Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe for Christmas
These sugar cookies are made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. The dough can be rolled out and cut into festive shapes, making them ideal for holiday celebrations. 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
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar for decoration
- Icing and sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass, and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake: Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 120kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 16g