Christmas Cookie Recipe

Highlighted under: Seasonal & Festive

Create festive memories in your kitchen with this delightful Christmas Cookie Recipe. Soft, buttery, and topped with colorful icing, these cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or decorating with the kids. With a mix of traditional flavors and fun decorations, they’re sure to be a hit this holiday season!

Freya Cooper

Created by

Freya Cooper

Last updated on 2025-11-29T17:38:26.021Z

Create festive memories in your kitchen with this delightful Christmas Cookie Recipe. Soft, buttery, and topped with colorful icing, these cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or decorating with the kids. With a mix of traditional flavors and fun decorations, they’re sure to be a hit this holiday season!

Unleashing Your Creativity

Baking Christmas cookies isn't just about following a recipe; it's an opportunity to express your creativity. With a base of soft, buttery cookies, you can add various flavors, from peppermint to orange zest, allowing your unique taste to shine through. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different spices or mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruits to create a personalized twist on this classic recipe.

Decorating your cookies can be just as enjoyable as baking them. Gather the kids or invite friends over for a festive decorating party. Use colorful icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter to transform your cookies into delightful little works of art. This hands-on activity not only enhances the holiday spirit but also creates lasting memories with loved ones, making it a cherished holiday tradition.

Perfect for Gifting

What better gift to spread cheer than a batch of homemade cookies? These Christmas cookies are perfect for presenting to friends, family, or neighbors during the holiday season. Package them in decorative boxes or tins, add a personal note, and watch as their faces light up with joy. Homemade gifts convey warmth and thoughtfulness that store-bought items simply can’t match.

Consider hosting a cookie exchange party where each guest brings a unique batch of their favorite cookies. This way, you can sample a variety of flavors and textures, making it a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holidays together. The joy of sharing homemade treats amplifies the spirit of giving and community that brings us all closer during the festive season.

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients before starting:

Christmas Cookie 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 to 4 tablespoons milk
  • Icing and decorations of choice

Make sure to measure everything accurately for the best results!

Instructions

Follow these steps to make the perfect Christmas cookies:

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.

Add Egg and Flavors

Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Add milk as needed to moisten the dough.

Shape Cookies

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake

Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Cool on wire racks.

Decorate

Once cooled, decorate with icing and festive toppings!

Enjoy your homemade Christmas cookies!

Tips for Perfect Cookies

To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time, pay attention to the temperature of your ingredients. Start with room-temperature butter for easy creaming with sugar. Also, chilling your dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can help improve the texture and prevent spreading, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the baking time! Every oven is different, so it's wise to check your cookies a couple of minutes before the recommended baking time. They should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center for that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Storing and Freezing Cookies

Proper storage of your cookies is vital to maintain their freshness and taste. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For optimal freshness, separate layers of cookies with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

If you want to prepare in advance, consider freezing your cookie dough. Portion the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you're ready to bake, simply remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer, let them thaw slightly, and bake as usual. This allows you to enjoy freshly baked cookies anytime without the stress of making the dough from scratch!

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I freeze the cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! Store them in an airtight container.

→ What icing works best for decorating?

A royal icing or buttercream icing would work wonderfully for decorations.

Christmas Cookie Recipe

Create festive memories in your kitchen with this delightful Christmas Cookie Recipe. Soft, buttery, and topped with colorful icing, these cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or decorating with the kids. With a mix of traditional flavors and fun decorations, they’re sure to be a hit this holiday season!

Prep Time30.0
Cooking Duration10.0
Overall Time40.0

Created by: Freya Cooper

Recipe Type: Seasonal & Festive

Skill Level: Easy

Final Quantity: 24.0

What You'll Need

Christmas Cookie Ingredients

  1. 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  2. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  3. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  4. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  5. 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  6. 1 egg
  7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  8. 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  9. 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
  10. Icing and decorations of choice

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 02

In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

Step 03

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.

Step 04

Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.

Step 05

Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Add milk as needed to moisten the dough.

Step 06

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Step 07

Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Cool on wire racks.

Step 08

Once cooled, decorate with icing and festive toppings!

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 150
  • Total Fat: 7g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 2g