These easy Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for holiday baking. With a simple dough that requires just a few ingredients, you can create delicious cookies that are great for decorating or enjoying plain.
This recipe is straightforward and ideal for baking with family or friends. You can customize the cookies with various icing and sprinkles to make them festive.
Creating Festive Sugar Cookies
Christmas sugar cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. Their soft and chewy texture makes them a favorite among both kids and adults. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch that is perfect for decorating or enjoying plain.
These cookies can be shaped into various festive designs, such as stars, trees, and snowflakes. The process of baking and decorating them can be a fun activity for families and friends, creating lasting memories during the holiday season.
Essential Ingredients for Success
To make these festive treats, you’ll need basic pantry staples like flour, butter, and sugar. The simplicity of the ingredients allows for easy customization with different icings and sprinkles.
For those looking to add a little extra flavor, consider incorporating almond extract alongside the vanilla. This small addition can elevate the taste and make your cookies stand out even more.
Decorating Your Cookies
The real fun begins once the cookies are baked and cooled. Decorating allows for creativity to shine. Use colorful icing to outline and fill in your cookie shapes, and don’t forget to sprinkle on some festive toppings.
Whether you choose to go with classic red and green or opt for a more whimsical color palette, the results are sure to be visually appealing and delicious. Each cookie can become a unique piece of edible art.
Setting the Scene for Holiday Baking
Creating a festive atmosphere while baking can enhance the experience. Consider decorating your kitchen with twinkling lights and pine branches to bring in the holiday spirit.
Playing some cheerful holiday music in the background can also set a joyful tone as you mix, roll, and decorate your cookies. The sights and sounds of the season will make the baking process even more enjoyable.
Sharing the Joy of Cookies
Once your cookies are beautifully decorated, they make for perfect gifts or party treats. Arrange them on a decorative plate and share them with friends, family, or neighbors.
These cookies are not just a treat; they symbolize the joy of giving and sharing during the holiday season. They can be a thoughtful gesture that spreads cheer and warmth to those around you.
Storing Your Festive Treats
After the festivities, you might have some cookies left over. Proper storage is key to keeping them fresh. Place them in an airtight container to maintain their softness and flavor.
These cookies can last for several days, making them a delightful snack to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Just remember to keep them out of reach of curious little hands!
Simple Sugar Cookies for Christmas
These sugar cookies are soft and chewy, making them a delightful treat during the holiday season. 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 until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully incorporated.
- 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 before decorating.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 21g