These quick and simple Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for holiday baking. With a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a batch of delicious cookies that are great for decorating or enjoying plain.
This recipe is straightforward and ideal for both novice and experienced bakers. You can easily customize the cookies with your favorite frosting, sprinkles, or festive decorations.
Creating the Perfect Holiday Treats
Christmas sugar cookies are a delightful addition to any festive gathering. Their soft, chewy texture and sweet flavor make them a favorite among both children and adults.
These cookies can be easily customized with various decorations, allowing for a personal touch that reflects your holiday spirit.
Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting to friends, or simply enjoying them at home, these cookies are sure to bring joy to your celebrations.
Essential Ingredients for Sugar Cookies
To make these delightful cookies, you’ll need a few basic ingredients that are likely already in your pantry.
Unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and eggs form the base of the dough, while vanilla extract adds a hint of sweetness.
All-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt complete the mixture, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.
Shaping and Baking Your Cookies
Once your dough is prepared, the fun begins! Rolling the dough into balls and shaping them into festive forms like stars and Christmas trees adds a creative element to the baking process.
Spacing them properly on the baking sheet is key to achieving that perfect cookie shape.
After baking for just a few minutes, the cookies will emerge golden and ready for decoration.
Decorating for the Holidays
Once cooled, the real magic happens with decorating.
Colorful icing and sprinkles transform these simple cookies into festive masterpieces.
Let your imagination run wild—use different colors and patterns to create a stunning display that captures the essence of the holiday season.
Setting the Scene
To truly embrace the holiday spirit, consider the setting where you display your cookies.
A red and green holiday-themed plate adds a festive touch, while twinkling lights and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the background create a cozy atmosphere.
This inviting scene not only showcases your delicious creations but also enhances the overall festive experience.
Sharing the Joy of Baking
These Christmas sugar cookies are more than just a treat; they are a way to share joy and create memories with loved ones.
Invite family and friends to join in the baking process, making it a fun and interactive experience.
Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or packaged as gifts, these cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer.
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
These sugar cookies are soft and chewy, made with butter, sugar, and vanilla. The recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and yields around 24 cookies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Decorating sugar or frosting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate with frosting or sprinkle with decorating sugar if 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: 16g