Christmas Cookies

The holiday lights glow faintly outside my kitchen window. The oven hums like a small companion. I can hear the tiny scrape of a spoon against a mixing bowl and the soft chatter of my kids deciding who will frost which cookie. The smell of butter and vanilla rises and fills the small apartment. It brings me back to childhood winters, standing on a stool to peek at the sugar cookies cooling on the rack. Sometimes I put on a little carol in the background. Meanwhile, the timer on my phone keeps me honest between school pickup and bedtime. I often click through ideas from my little recipe stash, and once I’m ready to share, I save the best ones for nights when we need a warm, simple ritual. If you want more party snacks for a busy holiday evening, I sometimes pair these with easy finger foods from this list to keep things carefree and tasty: Best Christmas Eve Finger Food Ideas on a Budget.

Why Christmas Cookies Works for Busy Families

There is something humble and perfect about a tray of Christmas Cookies. They are forgiving. They ask for little and give a lot. When life in New York gets loud and the subway roar fades into our hallway, baking these cookies becomes our pause button. They fit into our routine because they do not demand chef hours. You can mix the dough while dinner simmers. You can bake a tray during the kids’ homework window. And afterward, we gather at the small table with mismatched mugs and talk about the day.

In my home, these cookies are a family project. My seven-year-old loves cutting shapes, my husband sneaks sprinkles, and my teenager prefers to perfect the frosting swirl. I keep the recipe simple so everyone can take part. It builds connection. It also means these cookies are realistic for families who work late, commute, or host last-minute guests. They are a small, bright way to slow down and say, we are here, we are together.

Making them also teaches the kids something steady. They learn to measure, to follow steps, and to wait while the oven does its magic. They learn that some of life’s best moments are ordinary. These cookies are not just treats. They are a lesson in care, patience, and shared warmth.

How to Make Christmas Cookies

“Every time I stir this pot, it smells just like Sunday at home.”

First, imagine the dough coming together. It is pale and soft, like a fresh winter morning. The butter creams into sugar and the kitchen fills with that cozy scent of warm vanilla. You will feel the dough change under your hands. It goes from crumbly to smooth, and then it becomes ready to shape. The cookies bake into golden edges and soft centers. When you open the oven door, a lift of sweet, buttery steam rises. The sound of little feet runs in from the hallway. Meanwhile, the kids argue gently over who will be the official sprinkle officer.

This recipe is straightforward and comforting. It works whether you are making a dozen for a neighbor or a big batch for a holiday party. The dough is easy to chill and roll. Once it is ready, the real joy is in decorating. Frosting adds color. Sprinkles add cheer. From there, you can make each cookie tell a tiny story of your holiday.

Tools you will find handy include a stand mixer or hand mixer, a rolling pin, cookie cutters, a baking sheet, parchment paper, and a cooling rack. I like to keep a small bowl of extra sprinkles and a damp towel on the side. It keeps the counter tidy and the kids happy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups frosting (various colors)
Sprinkles and decorations (optional)

Personal note: Use good unsalted butter if you can. It makes the butter flavor bright without adding extra salt. If you do not have almond extract, you can skip it, but the tiny almond note gives the cookies a cozy, bakery feel.

I also keep small jars of colored sugars on hand. They make the cookies feel festive with almost no fuss. If you want to make the frosting a bit lighter, try half powdered sugar and half Greek yogurt for a tangy twist. It is not traditional, but it is a nice family-approved swap when we want a less sweet finish.

For best results, measure your flour carefully. Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents a heavy, dense cookie. Also, let your butter come to room temperature. It should be soft enough to press a finger into but not oily.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
6. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
7. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass, and decorate with frosting and sprinkles if desired.
8. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden.
9. Cool on wire racks.

Tip: Stir until creamy when you are creaming the butter and sugar. It takes a good 2 to 3 minutes in a stand mixer and a little longer with a hand mixer. Watch for golden edges in the oven. Cookies keep baking for a minute or two after you take them out, so take them out just as the edges begin to set.

Another tip: If you want uniformly shaped cookies, use a small cookie scoop to portion dough. It helps the cookies bake evenly. Meanwhile, line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup faster. If you press the bottom of a glass into the dough, dip the glass in a little sugar first for a pretty finish and subtle crunch.

If you have a moment, chill the dough for 15 to 30 minutes before rolling. It helps maintain shape, especially on warmer days in the kitchen. Once cool, frost the cookies with a spatula or a piping bag. Add sprinkles while the frosting is still soft. Afterward, give the frosting a few minutes to set before stacking.

Serving Christmas Cookies at the Family Table

There is a kind of calm that comes when a tray of cookies appears on the table. We place the platter in the center, next to a pot of tea or a thermos of hot cocoa. The kids lean in, breath fogging the air if it is cold outside, and they reach for the shapes that look like little gifts. The table becomes a small festival. Plates clink. Laughter bubbles up. Meanwhile, the city hums beyond the window, but inside our window there is soft light and sugar.

I serve these cookies on a simple wooden board or a painted plate. The colors of the frosting make the board look like a small, edible art display. We pass cookies around with small stories. My daughter announces her favorite design with great ceremony. My son trades cookies like they are tiny coins. Once it is ready, a second helping might appear because everyone wants one with extra sprinkles.

Pair these cookies with warm drinks. Tea brings out the vanilla. Hot chocolate makes the frosting feel richer. For adult company, a small cup of strong coffee or a simple mulled wine can be lovely. If you are hosting a bigger group, set up a small decorating station with extra frosting bowls, sprinkles, and a few cookie cutters. It becomes a neighbor-friendly way to entertain without stress.

Storing and Reheating Christmas Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers to keep decorations intact. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the plain cookies before frosting. Once frozen, store them in a freezer bag for up to three months.

To thaw, take the cookies out the night before and leave them on the counter. If you froze already frosted cookies, let them come to room temperature in their container to avoid condensation on the frosting. For a fresh-baked feel, warm cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely so you do not soften the frosting too much.

You will find that flavors often deepen overnight. The vanilla will bloom and the cookie will mellow. I like to bake the day before a small party and let the dough sit. It saves time and often tastes better. Meanwhile, any leftover frosting can be kept refrigerated in a small jar for up to a week. Give it a quick stir before using.

If you want to stack cookies for gifting, use parchment separators and a sturdy tin. A tight lid prevents movement. Tins make the cookies feel like presents. I have a favorite tin from a holiday sale that I bring out every winter. It holds memories and crumbs alike.

Quick Tips from My Kitchen

1. Swap tip: If you need a dairy-free option, substitute the butter with a plant-based stick butter for similar texture. I tried it once when a friend came over and no one noticed.
2. Timing trick: Chill dough for 15 minutes if it feels too soft. It is easier to shape that way. I often toss the bowl in the fridge while I clean up the counter.
3. Decoration cue: Add sprinkles immediately after frosting. They stick best when the frosting is still tacky. My kids always forget and then regret it.
4. Baking cue: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through if your oven has hot spots. It makes a big difference in getting an even golden edge.
5. Portion tip: Use a tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop for evenly sized cookies. Uniform cookies bake at the same rate, so you do not overbake a batch while waiting for another.

These tips come from many holiday afternoons when I learned the hard way. I burned a tray once because I was folding laundry and forgot the timer. You live and learn. Now I have two timers.

Variations on Christmas Cookies

You can take this basic dough in so many directions. For a citrus note, add one teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest to the dough. It brightens the sugar and gives a fresh twist that kids surprisingly like. For a spiced version, add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. It warms the cookie and pairs well with a dark tea.

If you want to make them slightly healthier, swap half the white sugar for coconut sugar. The texture changes a little but the flavor becomes deeper. Another variation is to roll dough in colored sugar before baking. It creates a sparkly edge and uses less frosting.

For a classic holiday spin, sandwich two cookies together with a thin layer of jam to make little cookie sandwiches. Raspberry jam is my favorite. The tartness cuts through the sugar and makes each bite lively. You can also press in a few chocolate chips before baking for a studded sugar cookie.

For a New York twist, I sometimes add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the frosting. It is subtle but it plays nicely with the vanilla and gives an adult note for an office treat. If you are feeling creative, try using cookie cutters in different sizes and stack small stars on top of larger rounds with a dot of frosting as glue. It makes a tiny tower that thrills younger kids.

Christmas Cookies

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• Author: cookthatdish
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A simple and cozy recipe for Christmas cookies that brings families together during the holiday season.

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Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups frosting (various colors)
• Sprinkles and decorations (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
6. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
7. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass, and decorate with frosting and sprinkles if desired.
8. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden.
9. Cool on wire racks.

Notes

For best results, measure flour carefully and allow butter to come to room temperature. Optionally chill the dough for 15 to 30 minutes before rolling to help maintain shape.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

FAQs About Christmas Cookies

Conclusion

Thank you for letting me share this simple, cozy Christmas Cookies recipe. I hope it becomes a little ritual in your home, a way to slow down and celebrate ordinary moments. If you want another approachable sugar cookie method with an easy icing guide, try this helpful recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing – Sally’s Baking. For a slightly different, tried-and-true take on vanilla biscuits that also make lovely holiday treats, I like this version here: Christmas Cookies! (Vanilla Biscuits/Sugar Cookies) – RecipeTin Eats.

Baking connects us. It hands us a warm plate. It invites a neighbor. It makes a small, sweet memory. I am grateful for this small corner of the kitchen that keeps giving us stories and crumbs. Go on, preheat that oven, call the crew, and make some memories.