Nothing brings more holiday cheer than the delicious aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the oven. Whether you’re preparing for a cookie exchange, holiday dessert platters, or just enjoying a cozy treat with a cup of hot cocoa, Christmas cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season. This easy Christmas cookie recipe will guide you step by step to create soft, flavorful treats that everyone will love.
Nothing brings more holiday cheer than the delicious aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the oven. Whether you’re preparing for a cookie exchange, holiday dessert platters, or just enjoying a cozy treat with a cup of hot cocoa, Christmas cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season. Let’s explore how to make these festive delights with this easy-to-follow recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.
What Makes Christmas Cookies So Special?
Christmas cookies are more than just sweet treats; they are a cherished tradition that brings people together during the holiday season. These festive cookies aren’t just about flavor—they’re about creating lasting memories with loved ones. There’s something magical about the joy of baking together, decorating cookies, and then sharing them with friends and family. From the fun of cookie exchanges to the festive look of a beautifully decorated cookie platter, Christmas cookies have become synonymous with holiday cheer.
What sets Christmas cookies apart from other cookies is their connection to holiday traditions. Many cultures have their own versions of Christmas cookies, passed down from generation to generation. For instance, gingerbread cookies have been around since the 16th century and are often shaped into festive figures like gingerbread men or houses. In the U.S., sugar cookies decorated with royal icing are a holiday favorite, while in Germany, lebkuchen (spicy ginger cookies) are a traditional treat. Baking these cookies often marks the start of the holiday season, with families gathering to create new traditions and relive old ones.
The act of decorating cookies is another reason why they are so special. It’s a chance to get creative and express holiday cheer through colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, and beautiful piping designs. Decorating Christmas cookies can be a fun activity for kids and adults alike, adding another layer of enjoyment to the process. Whether you’re making cookies to share or to keep for yourself, the effort and love put into each cookie make them all the more meaningful. If you want to explore even more ideas, check out the 85+ Best Christmas Cookie Recipes for inspiration.
Common Ingredients in Christmas Cookies
Most Christmas cookie recipes share a few staple ingredients. These include:
- Flour – The foundation for most cookie dough.
- Butter – Adds richness and flavor, helping create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Sugar – Whether it’s granulated or powdered, sugar is key to giving the cookies their sweetness.
- Eggs – Bind the ingredients together and help cookies rise.
- Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring that warm, holiday flavor to every bite.
Additionally, decorations like sprinkles or candies make these cookies festive and fun, adding a colorful touch to the holiday season. You can find great sugar cookie decorating tips in the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas.
Top Christmas Cookie Recipes to Try
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are perhaps the most iconic Christmas treat. They are buttery, soft, and perfect for decorating. You can use royal icing and festive sprinkles to make them look as beautiful as they taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients, then shape the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Flatten with a glass and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden around the edges.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
The spicy warmth of gingerbread cookies is perfect for holiday celebrations. Whether you’re making gingerbread men or decorating gingerbread houses, these cookies are always a hit.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
Method:
- Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add wet ingredients and blend into dough.
- Roll out the dough, cut out shapes, and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F.
3. Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
A classic favorite with a holiday twist, add peppermint or candy canes to your chocolate chip cookies for a festive flavor. These cookies are great for cookie exchanges or holiday gifting.
Baking Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies
Making perfect Christmas cookies requires more than just following a recipe—it’s about knowing the little tips and tricks that will elevate your baking game. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these essential baking tips will ensure that your cookies come out soft, chewy, and perfectly golden every time.
Use Cold Butter for Best Texture
When preparing your cookie dough, it’s important to use cold butter. Cold butter helps the dough maintain its structure and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. This is especially important for sugar cookies and shortbread cookies, which should maintain their shape even after baking. If your recipe calls for softened butter, you can quickly soften it in the microwave by placing it in short bursts, but avoid using melted butter as it can affect the texture of the cookies.
Chill the Dough for Better Flavor and Texture
Many Christmas cookie recipes benefit from resting or chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Chilling the dough not only helps the cookies hold their shape but also allows the flavors to meld together. This resting time also helps reduce the amount of spread, giving you thicker, fluffier cookies. For best results, chill your dough covered in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. This step is especially crucial for recipes like gingerbread cookies or those with rolled dough that need to be cut into shapes.
Don’t Overmix the Dough
One of the biggest mistakes people make when baking cookies is overmixing the dough. Mixing the dough too much can lead to cookies that are tough and dense. To achieve the perfect soft and chewy texture, mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined. The dough should still have some texture, but it shouldn’t be overly smooth. Overworking the dough incorporates too much air, leading to a drier texture. If you’re making chocolate chip cookies or gingerbread, mixing until you see no more flour streaks is enough.
Monitor the Baking Time Closely
The baking time for Christmas cookies is crucial, as even a few extra minutes can turn a perfectly golden cookie into a crunchy, overdone one. Always start checking the cookies a minute or two before the recipe’s suggested baking time. The edges should be slightly golden, but the center should remain soft. For best results, use an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is at the correct temperature, as ovens can often run hotter or cooler than the set temperature.
Decorating Christmas Cookies
Decorating Christmas cookies is one of the most exciting parts of the process, allowing you to get creative with colors, patterns, and festive details. From icing and sprinkles to edible glitter and candy toppings, the possibilities are endless.
Royal Icing for Professional Results
For a smooth and polished finish, royal icing is the go-to decorating medium. Made with powdered sugar, egg whites, and a little water, royal icing dries hard and allows for intricate designs. It’s perfect for outlining cookies and flooding them with a smooth base. To achieve professional-looking results, use a piping bag fitted with a fine tip for details, or a larger round tip for flooding the cookie surface. If you’re new to royal icing, start with simple designs like stripes, dots, or holiday shapes. It’s also a great opportunity to add color to your cookies, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your color palette!
Adding Fun Sprinkles and Toppings
After the icing sets, the fun continues with sprinkles, colored sugars, and candy toppings. Using sprinkles or nonpareils can add texture and a festive pop to your cookies. You can use sugar sprinkles in holiday colors like red, green, and white to add a seasonal touch. You can also experiment with candy canes, chocolate chips, or mini marshmallows for fun, edible decorations. Just make sure that any toppings are applied when the icing is still wet, so they stick properly.
Creative Cookie Cutters for Fun Shapes
Cookie cutters are essential for making festive shapes like stars, trees, and reindeer. You can also use themed cutters like gingerbread man shapes or even custom cutters for more unique designs. After cutting out the shapes, place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure that you leave enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. For extra flair, you can add details with edible markers or a brush dipped in colored icing.
Storing and Freezing Christmas Cookies
Storing and freezing your Christmas cookies properly is crucial to maintaining their freshness and taste throughout the holiday season. Whether you’ve baked a batch ahead of time or want to preserve the leftover cookies for later, following these simple guidelines will help your cookies stay fresh for weeks.
How to Store Your Christmas Cookies
Once baked and cooled, Christmas cookies should be stored in an airtight container. To ensure they stay fresh, you can line the container with parchment paper between layers of cookies. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking together. If you’ve decorated your cookies with royal icing, wait until the icing has fully set before storing them. For best results, store the cookies in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Cookies like shortbread and sugar cookies will stay fresh for about a week if properly stored.
Freezing Christmas Cookies
Freezing is a great way to preserve Christmas cookies for later enjoyment, especially if you’ve baked in bulk or want to save some for New Year’s celebrations. There are two ways to freeze cookies: before or after baking. To freeze dough, shape it into a log or individual balls, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place it in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator for several hours and bake as usual. If freezing baked cookies, allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Properly frozen cookies can last up to a month without losing their quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Christmas Cookies?
Yes! Both cookie dough and baked cookies can be frozen. Freezing dough is especially convenient because you can bake fresh cookies whenever you need them. Simply portion the dough into balls and freeze until solid, then store them in a freezer bag. Baked cookies should be stored in an airtight container to keep them fresh in the freezer.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Christmas Cookies?
You can bake your Christmas cookies up to a month in advance! Store them properly in an airtight container, and they will maintain their freshness for weeks. You can also freeze both the dough and the cookies to make ahead of time.
What Is the Best Way to Decorate Christmas Cookies?
The best way to decorate Christmas cookies is by using royal icing for a smooth finish and adding festive toppings like sprinkles, candy canes, and sugars for added texture. Get creative with your designs and try different piping techniques for intricate and unique looks.
Conclusion
Making Christmas cookies is a fun, festive tradition that brings families together and spreads holiday cheer. With the right tips, techniques, and a little creativity, you can bake and decorate cookies that will delight your friends and family. Whether you’re making classic sugar cookies, spicy gingerbread, or chewy chocolate chip cookies, the holidays wouldn’t be the same without these sweet treats. Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy the memories you create along the way!
Print
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookies
Description
Nothing says “holiday cheer” quite like a batch of soft, spiced Christmas cookies! These delightful treats are buttery, lightly spiced with warm holiday flavors, and topped with festive red and green sprinkles. Perfect for cookie exchanges, dessert platters, or simply cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa.
Ingredients
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• Red and green sugar sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving soft cookies!
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed. Stir in the vanilla extract for that sweet, fragrant touch.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The spices give these cookies a holiday twist!
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
6. Shape the Dough
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on ungreased baking sheets. Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each ball.
7. Decorate and Bake
Sprinkle each cookie with red and green sugar sprinkles for that festive look. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers stay soft.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes