These Christmas sugar cookies are a beloved holiday tradition for many families, and for good reason. Their simple yet satisfying recipe delivers a buttery, crisp-edged treat perfect for decorating and enjoying during the festive season. Whether you’re baking with kids or prepping for a party, these cookies are easy to make, endlessly customizable, and sure to bring joy.
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Why These Cookies Stand Out
The appeal of these sugar cookies lies in their simplicity: only eight ingredients are needed for the dough, making them accessible even for beginner bakers. The dough itself holds its shape beautifully, ensuring clean cuts for precise holiday designs. Beyond the taste and ease, these cookies offer a creative outlet – decorating them is half the fun, with options ranging from simple sprinkles to intricate royal icing work. Plus, they freeze exceptionally well, allowing you to spread out the baking process over days or weeks.
Mastering the Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process begins with creating a smooth, buttery dough. Softened butter is creamed with sugar, then bound together with an egg and infused with vanilla and almond extracts for a warm, comforting flavor. The dry ingredients are added gradually to form a soft dough, which is then chilled to maintain its shape during baking.
Key steps include:
- Chilling the dough: Divide the dough into disks, wrap them tightly, and chill for at least two hours (or up to two days). This step prevents cookies from spreading in the oven.
- Rolling and cutting: Roll the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes, re-rolling scraps as needed.
- Baking: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. The cookies will set up as they cool.
Decorating Options: From Simple to Elaborate
The decorating stage is where the cookies truly come to life. You have two main options:
- Royal Icing: This creates a firm, smooth finish ideal for detailed designs and flooding shapes with color.
- Simple Sugar Glaze: Combine powdered sugar with milk for a quick, drizzleable icing that hardens more slowly but still adds a festive touch.
Both icings can be tinted with food coloring, and topped with sprinkles, candies, or colored sugar for extra flair.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Proper storage ensures your cookies stay fresh. Iced cookies can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Unfrosted cookies store well at room temperature. For longer preservation, freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to three months, either before or after decorating.
These cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a way to create lasting holiday memories through baking, decorating, and sharing with loved ones.
Yields: About 30 cookies
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 3 hours 20 minutes
