Christmas Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that captures the spirit of the holiday season. These cookies are soft, chewy, and topped with a creamy frosting that makes them a festive favorite. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as gifts, they are sure to bring joy to everyone who tastes them.
Table of Contents
Why make this recipe
There are many reasons to make Christmas Sugar Cookies. First, they are easy to prepare and fun for the whole family to join in. The colorful sprinkles add a joyful touch to the cookies, making them visually appealing. Plus, they make great gifts and are perfect for cookie exchanges. Lastly, the combination of flavors in these cookies, along with the smooth cream cheese frosting, creates a treat that everyone will love.
How to make Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 270 g (2¼ cups) all-purpose flour
- 4 g (1 tsp) baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 170 g (1½ sticks / ¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened (68-72°F)
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 54 g (⅓ cup) Christmas jimmies sprinkles
- 283 g (1¼ bricks / 10 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened (68-72°F)
- 184 g (13 Tbsp) salted butter, softened (68-72°F)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) heavy cream, very cold
- 24 g (2 Tbsp) Christmas sprinkles (jimmies, nonpareils, trees, etc.)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat on medium-low speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two parts, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies sprinkles with a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Use a 3-Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough (48-50 g each). Roll each scoop into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each dough ball, ensuring they are at least ½-inch thick.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look soft and no longer glossy. The cookies should not brown.
- Remove from the oven and shape into a perfect circle by gently rotating a cookie cutter or glass around each cookie.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth and lump-free, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt, then beat on low until just combined.
- Add the sifted powdered sugar in three parts, mixing on low speed until just combined, about 10-15 seconds each time.
- Gradually drizzle in the cold heavy cream while whisking on low speed until stiff peaks form, about 1-1½ minutes.
- Pipe the frosting onto the cookies using a #2A or #1A piping tip or spread with a spatula to create swirls.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Delightful Christmas Sugar Cookies topped with creamy frosting, perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 270 g (2¼ cups) all-purpose flour
- 4 g (1 tsp) baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 170 g (1½ sticks / ¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened (68-72°F)
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 54 g (⅓ cup) Christmas jimmies sprinkles
- 283 g (1¼ bricks / 10 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened (68-72°F)
- 184 g (13 Tbsp) salted butter, softened (68-72°F)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) heavy cream, very cold
- 24 g (2 Tbsp) Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat on medium-low speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies sprinkles.
- Use a 3-Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, rolling each scoop into a ball. Place them on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops are soft. Remove from the oven and shape into circles.
- Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and salted butter on low speed until smooth. Add vanilla extract and salt.
- Gradually mix in the sifted powdered sugar, then drizzle in the cold heavy cream while whisking until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies, sprinkling additional Christmas sprinkles just before serving.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for three months. For best results, ensure ingredients are at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
How to serve Christmas Sugar Cookies
Christmas Sugar Cookies are perfect for serving at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as gifts. Arrange them on a festive platter or add them to your Christmas Cookie Box to share with friends and family.
How to store Christmas Sugar Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Tips to make Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Don’t overmix the dough; stop as soon as you see no dry flour.
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies.
- Chill the cookies after making, if the dough is too soft to handle comfortably.
Variations
You can customize Christmas Sugar Cookies by changing the type of extract used, such as peppermint or orange, or by adding different types of sprinkles to match your holiday decorations.
FAQs
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, but butter gives the best flavor and texture.
2. Can these cookies be made in advance?
Absolutely! You can make the cookies ahead of time and frost them just before serving.
3. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges should be set and the tops soft but not glossy. They should not brown.
Conclusion
Christmas Sugar Cookies are a classic treat that brings the joy of the festive season to your home. With their soft texture, creamy frosting, and colorful sprinkles, they are sure to delight everyone. Whether you bake them for a party or a gift, they will surely be a hit!
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