These classic Christmas sugar cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. With a soft and buttery texture, they are ideal for decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles.
The recipe is simple and allows for creativity, making it a fun activity for families and friends during the holidays.
Festive Cookie Shapes
Christmas sugar cookies come in a delightful array of shapes that capture the spirit of the season.
Stars, trees, and candy canes are just a few of the iconic designs that bring joy to holiday gatherings.
Each shape offers a unique canvas for creativity, allowing decorators to showcase their artistic flair.
Colorful Icing and Sprinkles
The magic of these cookies lies in their vibrant decorations.
Colorful icing transforms each cookie into a work of art, while sprinkles add a playful touch.
Using a variety of colors and designs can make the cookie display even more festive, appealing to both children and adults alike.
Creating a Cheerful Atmosphere
Setting the stage for these cookies is just as important as the baking process.
A backdrop of twinkling lights and pine branches enhances the holiday spirit, creating an inviting environment for all.
Arranging the cookies on a beautifully decorated table can turn any gathering into a celebration.
Perfect for Family Activities
Baking and decorating Christmas sugar cookies is a wonderful activity for families and friends.
Gathering in the kitchen to mix dough, cut shapes, and decorate fosters connection and creates lasting memories.
This fun tradition can be enjoyed by all ages, making it a cherished part of the holiday season.
Tips for Successful Baking
To achieve the perfect sugar cookies, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
Ensure that the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
Chilling the dough before baking can help maintain the cookie shapes, preventing them from spreading too much in the oven.
Sharing the Joy
Once the cookies are decorated, sharing them with friends, family, and neighbors spreads holiday cheer.
Consider packaging them in festive boxes or tins for a thoughtful gift.
This simple act of sharing can brighten someone’s day and strengthen community bonds during the holiday season.
Easy Sugar Cookies for Christmas
This sugar cookie recipe yields soft, delicious cookies that can be cut into festive shapes and decorated. The preparation time is about 20 minutes, with a total time of around 1 hour, including baking and cooling.
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)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar for decoration
- Icing and sprinkles for decorating (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 until well combined.
- 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 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: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 21g