These easy Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for holiday exchanges and gatherings. With a simple dough that requires minimal ingredients, these cookies can be decorated in festive colors and shapes to spread holiday cheer.
The recipe is straightforward, making it ideal for bakers of all levels. You can customize the flavors and decorations to match your holiday spirit.
Creating Festive Sugar Cookies
Christmas sugar cookies are a delightful treat that brings joy to any holiday gathering. These cookies are not only easy to make but also offer a canvas for creativity with their various shapes and colorful decorations.
From stars to trees and snowflakes, each cookie can be transformed into a festive masterpiece. The simple dough allows bakers of all skill levels to join in the fun, making it a perfect activity for families and friends during the holiday season.
Essential Ingredients for Success
The foundation of these cookies lies in a few key ingredients. All-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder create the perfect base for a soft and chewy texture. The combination of unsalted butter and white sugar ensures a delightful sweetness that pairs beautifully with icing.
Adding an egg and vanilla extract enhances the flavor, while an optional almond extract can provide a unique twist. For decoration, colorful icing and sprinkles are essential to bring these cookies to life, making them visually appealing and festive.
Simple Steps to Delicious Cookies
Making these sugar cookies is a straightforward process. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and preparing the dry ingredients. Creaming together the butter and sugar is a crucial step that contributes to the cookie’s texture.
After combining the wet and dry ingredients, shaping the cookies into balls and flattening them slightly ensures they bake evenly. A quick bake in the oven results in golden cookies that are ready for decoration once cooled.
Decorating for the Holidays
The decorating stage is where the magic happens. Once the cookies have cooled, unleash your creativity with icing and sprinkles. Use vibrant colors to bring each shape to life, making them perfect for holiday displays or gift exchanges.
Whether you prefer a minimalist approach or an extravagant design, the options are endless. Each cookie can reflect personal style, making them not just a treat but a festive expression of holiday spirit.
Setting the Scene
To create a cheerful atmosphere, consider presenting your decorated cookies on a rustic wooden table. This setting adds warmth and charm, enhancing the visual appeal of your festive display.
Surround the cookies with holiday decorations such as pinecones, ornaments, or twinkling lights to create an inviting scene. This not only showcases your cookies but also sets the mood for gatherings with family and friends.
Sharing the Joy of Baking
These Christmas sugar cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a way to share joy and create memories. Whether you are baking alone or with loved ones, the process is filled with laughter and creativity.
As you share these delightful treats, you spread holiday cheer, making every gathering a little brighter. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and enjoy the festive spirit of baking this holiday season!
Simple Sugar Cookies for Christmas Exchange
These sugar cookies are soft and chewy, with a delightful sweetness that pairs perfectly with icing and sprinkles. The recipe takes about 30 minutes 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 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 (if using).
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Shape Cookies: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place them onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in 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: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 120kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 15g