These classic sugar cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, sweet, and easy to decorate, they make a delightful addition to any Christmas celebration.
This recipe is straightforward and allows for creativity with various toppings and icing to suit your festive spirit.
Creating Festive Sugar Cookies
Crafting sugar cookies during the holiday season is a delightful way to spread cheer. These cookies are not only visually appealing but also a treat for the taste buds.
With their soft texture and sweet flavor, they serve as the perfect canvas for festive decorations.
Imagine a plate filled with stars, trees, and snowflakes, each adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles, bringing a smile to anyone who sees them.
Essential Ingredients for Sugar Cookies
To create these festive delights, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients.
All-purpose flour, sugar, and butter form the base of the dough, ensuring a tender cookie.
Adding an egg, along with vanilla and optional almond extract, enhances the flavor, making each bite a sweet experience.
Don’t forget the colorful sprinkles or sugar for that extra festive touch!
Decorating Your Cookies
The fun truly begins once the cookies are baked and cooled.
Using vibrant icing, you can transform each cookie into a festive masterpiece.
From swirling patterns to intricate designs, the possibilities are endless.
Sprinkles can add texture and color, making each cookie unique and inviting.
Setting the Scene for Cookie Enjoyment
Presentation plays a key role in the holiday spirit.
Arranging your beautifully decorated cookies on a rustic wooden table creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Surround them with holiday decorations and twinkling fairy lights to enhance the festive vibe.
Such a display not only showcases your baking skills but also adds to the joy of the season.
Sharing the Joy of Baking
These sugar cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply spreading cheer, a plate of these cookies is sure to be a hit.
Encouraging loved ones to join in the decorating process can make for a memorable experience, creating lasting holiday traditions.
Storing Your Festive Treats
After baking and decorating, it’s important to store your cookies properly to maintain their freshness.
Using an airtight container will keep them soft and delicious for days.
Consider layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking, ensuring they remain as delightful as the day they were made.
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
These sugar cookies are made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in a tender and sweet cookie that can be cut into various shapes. The recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish and yields approximately 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 (optional)
- 3 tablespoons colored sugar or 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 (if using).
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.
- Shape Cookies: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass, and sprinkle with colored sugar if desired.
- Bake: Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.
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: 21g