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Easy Christmas Cookies are a festive, fun, and delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. These buttery, sugar-based cookies are shaped into classic Christmas designs like snowflakes, candy canes, and Christmas trees, then decorated with colorful royal icing.
Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or as a delightful family activity, these cookies are as beautiful as they are tasty.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Holidays: These cookies are shaped and decorated to bring festive cheer to your holiday table.
- Fun to Decorate: A great activity for kids and adults alike, allowing creativity to shine.
- Versatile: You can customize the shapes and decorations to suit your style.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake the cookies in advance and decorate them later.
- Delicious and Buttery: The soft sugar cookie base is rich and flavorful.
What to Serve with Christmas Cookies
- Hot Cocoa: The perfect pairing for a warm and cozy treat.
- Milk: A classic choice, especially for Santa!
- Eggnog: Adds a festive, creamy flavor to your cookie platter.
- Tea or Coffee: Complements the sweetness of the cookies.
- Fruit Punch: A vibrant and refreshing holiday drink option.
Unique Christmas Cookies
Classic Christmas cookies made with a buttery sugar cookie base and decorated with colorful royal icing.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5-6 tablespoons water (adjust as needed)
- Gel food coloring (red, blue, green, white)
For Decorating:
- Sprinkles, edible pearls, or sugar decorations
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten it into discs, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters (trees, snowflakes, candy canes) to cut out shapes.
- Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more water for flooding or less for outlining. Divide the icing into separate bowls and color each with gel food coloring.
- Use a piping bag or squeeze bottle to outline and flood the cookies with royal icing.
- Add sprinkles or edible decorations while the icing is wet. Allow the icing to set for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw and decorate when ready.
- Icing Tips: Use a toothpick to smooth out the icing or create intricate designs.
- Flavor Variations: Substitute almond extract with lemon or peppermint for a different twist.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the dough a day in advance and chill until ready to bake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought icing?
Yes, but homemade royal icing gives better texture and control for decorating.
How can I make these cookies softer?
Bake them for slightly less time, about 8-10 minutes, for a softer texture.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling helps the dough hold its shape during baking.
Wrapping it up
These delightful cookies combine buttery goodness with festive decorations to bring joy to any celebration.
Easy Christmas Cookies are a must-have for your holiday baking list.
Gather your family, grab your cookie cutters, and create magical holiday moments with this fun and simple recipe!
