These Christmas sugar cookies are sweet, buttery, and perfect for the holiday season! They are fun to decorate with colorful icing and sprinkles, making them a festive treat.
Baking these cookies always gets me in the holiday spirit. I love letting my creativity shine with the designs—who says cookies can’t wear silly hats? 🎄🍪
What I enjoy most is how easy the dough is to make. Just mix, roll, cut out shapes, and bake! They disappear quickly, so be ready to share… or not! 😉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your cookies, giving them structure. If you prefer a gluten-free version, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. It works surprisingly well in cookies!
Unsalted Butter: Always use unsalted butter to control the salt content. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with margarine, but the flavor won’t be quite the same. Room temperature butter is best for creaming with sugar.
Granulated Sugar: This is essential for sweetness and soft texture. You could swap some out for brown sugar to add a touch of caramel flavor if you like. Just remember it may slightly alter the texture!
Egg: Eggs help bind and provide moisture. If you need a vegan option, try 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a “flax egg” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water).
Royal Icing Ingredients: Meringue powder gives the icing stability, but if you cannot find it, pasteurized egg whites can be used instead for texture. This icing is what makes your cookies look festive, so don’t skip it!
What’s the Secret to Roll and Cut Perfect Sugar Cookies?
Getting the perfect thickness and shapes for your cookies can be tricky, but here are my best tips:
- Chill your dough if it feels sticky. Wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. This makes it easier to roll out.
- Flour your surface well before rolling to prevent sticking. A light dusting is usually sufficient.
- Keep the dough at about 1/4 inch thickness for a nice, chewy cookie. Use a ruler if you want to be precise!
- When cutting shapes, press down firmly but lift straight up to avoid distortion. You can re-roll scraps for more cookies.
Enjoy the process! Decorating these sugar cookies is half the fun, and you’ll be left with some beautiful treats for the holidays.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For The Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5-6 tablespoons warm water (adjust for consistency)
- Food coloring (red, green, black, orange, gold, etc.)
- Sprinkles for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prep the dough and another 15 minutes to bake the cookies. The decorating time really depends on your creativity but expect to spend at least an hour or more if you’re going for intricate designs. Don’t forget to allow the cookies to cool completely before icing, and let the decorated cookies dry at room temperature for several hours or overnight. All in all, you’ll need a good chunk of an afternoon to make these delightful treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
Start by whisking together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer on medium speed until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it until everything is well combined.
2. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms. If you find the dough is sticky, don’t worry! Just wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. This makes rolling it out much easier!
3. Roll and Cut:
Once your dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like trees, snowflakes, snowmen, and gingerbread people. Place the cookie shapes on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake the Cookies:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden. Keep an eye on them, as baking times may vary slightly. Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on wire racks.
5. Make the Royal Icing:
While the cookies are cooling, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add warm water while mixing on low speed until the icing reaches a stiff peak consistency for piping. If you want to use it for flooding, just add a bit more water to reach the desired consistency.
6. Color and Prepare for Decorating:
Divide the royal icing into small bowls and use food coloring to dye each portion as desired for the festive decorations!
7. Decorate Cookies:
Using piping bags with fine tips, outline and flood the cookies with your colored icing. Allow the base icing to dry slightly before adding additional details like faces, scarves, snowflake patterns, and lots of fun sprinkles!
8. Let Your Cookies Set:
Once decorated, let your cookies dry completely at room temperature, which could take a few hours or even overnight. This step ensures that your beautiful creations hold their shape and won’t smudge when you store them.
These Christmas sugar cookies make lovely gifts, are perfect for decorating parties, or can simply be enjoyed with hot cocoa. Have fun creating festive designs and sharing these charming cookies with friends and family! Enjoy! 🎄🍪
Can I Use Different Flours for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend if you need a gluten-free version. Just substitute the all-purpose flour in a 1:1 ratio. Make sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture!
How Do I Store the Cookies After Baking?
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you’ve decorated them with royal icing, they can be kept for a few days without losing quality. For longer storage, you can freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to three months!
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before rolling and baking. For longer storage, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to bake!
I Don’t Have Meringue Powder. What Can I Use Instead?
If you can’t find meringue powder, you can substitute with pasteurized egg whites. However, for best results, make sure to whip the icing properly to achieve the desired stiffness. Alternatively, there are some recipes for royal icing that use only powdered sugar and water, but they won’t have the same stability.