Soft Christmas Cookies

These Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect holiday treat pillowy, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! They hold their shape beautifully for decorating and stay soft for days, making them ideal for cookie exchanges, festive platters, or cozy baking sessions with family.

Ingredients

• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract for a festive twist)

Optional Frosting

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tsp milk (or lemon juice)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175 °C (350 °F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
4. Add eggs and flavoring: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla or almond extract.
5. Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
6. Chill dough: Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to help cookies hold their shape.
7. Shape cookies: Roll dough out on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
8. Bake: Place on prepared sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
9. Cool and decorate: Let cookies cool completely before frosting or decorating.

For the Frosting

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk (or lemon juice), and vanilla until smooth. Add food coloring if desired. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies and top with sprinkles before the icing sets.

Variation

• Festive Flavor Swap: Replace vanilla with almond or peppermint extract for a holiday twist.
• Citrus Kiss: Add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest for a fresh flavor boost.
• Colorful Dough: Mix gel food coloring into portions of the dough for red and green cookies.

Cooking Notes

• Don’t overbake the cookies should stay soft and light in color.
• Chill dough well before rolling to prevent spreading.
• For crispier edges, bake an extra minute or two.

Serving Suggestions

• Holiday Platters: Arrange with gingerbread, snowballs, and shortbread for a festive cookie board.
• Gift Giving: Stack decorated cookies in clear bags with ribbons for charming homemade gifts.
• Kids’ Decorating Party: Provide icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter for a fun holiday activity.

Tips

• Brush cookie tops lightly with milk before baking and sprinkle with coarse sugar for sparkle.
• Re-roll scraps gently to avoid overworking the dough.
• Store in airtight containers for up to a week, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Prep Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)

• Calories: 160 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Sodium: 65 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze up to 2 months.
2. Can I use salted butter? You can just reduce added salt to ¼ teaspoon.
3. Do these cookies hold their shape with cutters? Absolutely! Chilling the dough ensures crisp, defined edges.
4. How should I store decorated cookies? Let icing fully set before stacking and store in airtight containers.

Conclusion

These Soft Christmas Cookies are a timeless holiday favorite tender, buttery, and easy to decorate. Whether you bake them for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, or Santa’s plate, they bring festive joy and sweetness to every celebration!

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