Christmas Sugar Cookies always sound like a good idea until you realize yours end up spreading into weird blobs or the icing’s a mess (hey, we’ve all had a gingerbread man with a weird lopsided grin). I totally get it. You want those bakery-looking, festive cookies, but between shopping, wrapping, and watching “Elf” again for the 18th time, WHO wants complicated recipes? If you’re more of a “let’s just have fun” baker, you’re in good company. And by the way, if you ever get the itch to branch out, these 4-ingredient shortbread cuties are a cinch. Or, let’s be real, you can always just toss together some cake mix Christmas cookies if you’re low on time (guilty).
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
Here’s the deal. These cookies are like edible nostalgia, simple and soft, with just enough sweetness to make you go back for “just one more.” Kids go wild for the decorating part, and honestly, so do most adults (I will physically fight you for the green sprinkles).
My favorite part? You don’t need fancy ingredients or decorator-level skills. The dough is forgiving, rolls out smooth, and doesn’t stick to every surface. I’ve even made these during a power outage using flashlight “mood lighting.” The vanilla in these cookies pops — not in a snobby way, just cozy and homey, like grandma’s living room.
Last year, I brought a plate of these to a little neighborhood party, and they vanished faster than you can say “Santa’s cookies.” Someone actually messaged me for my “secret recipe.” There isn’t one, folks, unless you count “mix slowly and have fun.” Bake them thick or thin, they taste like Christmas morning. 
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
So let me break this down, real-life style.
First, you mix the usual suspects: butter (soft, not melted), white sugar, an egg, and a good splash of vanilla. Don’t skimp on the vanilla, trust me. Blend until creamy, kinda like a paste. Slowly stir in flour, a bit of baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Shouldn’t look dry, but not sticky either — if you poke it, it bounces back a little.
Scoop it all together, wrap in plastic, and chill that dough. At least an hour. Put your feet up, have a peppermint hot chocolate, whatever. Once it’s chilled, put some flour on your counter and roll it out not too thick, like a quarter inch maybe. Cut cute shapes. If the dough’s acting stubborn or sticky, add a dusting of flour. Really annoying part? Peeling those snowflakes off the counter (use a spatula, don’t panic).
Pop ‘em on a baking sheet lined with parchment or one of those magical silicone mats. Bake about 7-8 minutes. Watch close — you want pale bottoms, not gold medals. When cool, they’ll be soft, not crispy like store-bought. Kids can barely wait, so hide some if you want leftovers. 
Tips for Making the Best Sugar Cookies
If I’m honest, I messed up a few batches before figuring out some sneaky tricks.
First, always use room temp butter. Cold butter is your enemy here. Also, don’t go wild with flour on the counter or your dough might get dry. If you want perfect edges, chill your cut cookies again before you bake. Pop the trays in the fridge for 10 minutes. They’ll hold shape way better.
Some folks swear by rolling between parchment sheets. I tried it — it’s neat, but honestly, a little messy at cleanup. Oh, and for flavor, sometimes I’ll sneak in a drop of almond extract. Just don’t get heavy-handed or you’ll taste nothing but almonds.
If you’re impatient (I get it), resist skipping the chilling step. That’s the one thing you can’t cheat. Otherwise… well, you risk blobs instead of stars.
“I make these every Christmas with my son. The dough is forgiving, and they hold up to every shape we try—sometimes even a Tyrannosaurus. Best sugar cookies ever!”
How to Decorate Sugar Cookies
This is honestly where things get wild in my house. You don’t need anything fancy — just powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and food coloring for some classic royal icing. Mix it to the consistency of school glue if you want outlining, or a little thinner if you’re “flooding” the cookies.
Start with an outline. Let that dry a hot second. Then fill in, using a toothpick to help the icing ooze into corners. Sounds fancy, but once you see how forgiving it is, you’ll relax. There’s nothing like cramming too many rainbow sprinkles on, right? For actual grown-up looking cookies, use white, red, and green together — looks five-star, but still tastes like childhood.
And if you want next-level variety, try chocolate drizzle, tiny candies, or sanding sugar for crunch. All are winners. Oh — and if you’re more of a chocolate person, these chocolate chip cookies dress up well with festive sprinkles too. Total crowd-pleaser.
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature Butter | Always use butter that is softened to room temperature for a creamy texture. |
| Chill Dough | Chill the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading during baking. |
| Use Parchment Paper | Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal and less sticking. |
| Don’t Overbake | Bake until just set, leaving them soft as they will firm up while cooling. |
How to Store Sugar Cookies
Alright, super simple here. Let your cookies dry totally after decorating — nobody wants smeary icing in the container.
Then pile ‘em carefully in an airtight tin with parchment paper between layers. That keeps the decorations nice. On the counter, they’ll stay fresh for a week (ish). Want to keep them even longer? Freeze in zip bags, separated by parchment. Defrost at room temp when ready to serve — they come out as tasty as the day you made them.
For gifting, stack them in a mason jar or tiny bakery box, tie on a ribbon, and you’re basically Pinterest famous.
Serving Suggestions
- Dunk them in hot cocoa for the full holiday effect.
- Sandwich two Christmas sugar cookies with fluffy frosting for a serious treat.
- Pack some with lunch — instant conversation starter at the lunch table.
- Serve beside a plate of raspberry-filled almond snow cookies for a real wow factor.
Common Questions
Can I freeze the dough?
Totally. Roll it into a log, wrap it up, and stash in the freezer. When the mood hits, slice and bake.
How do I get cookies to keep their shape?
If you chill the dough, and even chill the cut-outs before baking, you’ll get crisp shapes every time.
Are these cookies too sweet?
Not at all. They’re sweet, but not tooth-achingly so, even with icing. If you like them sweeter, more icing fixes that.
What’s the best icing for decorating?
Plain powdered sugar icing is easy, or you can use royal icing for smoother, fancier results.
Can I double this recipe?
Yep, and I do it often. Just grab a bigger bowl and make sure you’re not splattering flour everywhere (speaking from experience).
Bring a Little Joy to Your Table
Honestly, Christmas sugar cookies are the thing people remember (maybe even more than what’s under the tree). If you want more decorating hacks, Sally’s Baking has a solid Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing. Or if you want a straight-up easy shortcut, check out Sugar Spun Run’s Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe (With Icing!) for more hacks. And if you’re convinced you need a tried-and-true winner, don’t miss Allrecipes’ The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe too. So, preheat that oven, grab your sprinkles, and trust me: you got this. 
Delicious and Festive Christmas Treats
Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, sweet, and perfect for decorating. Fun for kids and easy to make, they capture the festive spirit of the holidays.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick on a floured surface. Cut into desired shapes.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the bottoms are just pale.
- Mix powdered sugar with milk and food coloring to a desired consistency.
- Outline the cookies, let dry, then fill in with icing. Use sprinkles to decorate.
Notes
- Enjoy these cookies with hot cocoa or gift them decorated for a festive touch!