Soft, Dreamy Christmas Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Christmas magic sparkles with these delightful soft Christmas cookies that melt in your mouth like sweet winter memories.

Every bite carries the warmth of holiday cheer and comfort.

Festive baking fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma of vanilla and cinnamon.

These tender, pillowy treats promise to delight both young and old with their gentle sweetness.

Generations have cherished this beloved recipe, passing down the tradition of creating these delectable cookies.

Simple ingredients come together to create a nostalgic dessert that captures the essence of holiday joy.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom across faces as loved ones savor each tender, delicious morsel.

Why Soft Christmas Cookies Are a Joy

• Boost Convenience: No baking required, making this recipe a quick and stress-free dessert option for busy home cooks.
• Craft Kid-Friendly Treat: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps allow children to help in the kitchen, creating fun family bonding moments.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe lets you experiment with different pudding flavors or toppings, making it perfect for personalized sweet experiences.
• Impress Without Effort: Looks and tastes like a gourmet dessert but requires minimal culinary skills, guaranteeing a stunning result every single time.

Everything for Festive Soft Christmas Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the soft Christmas cookies.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a golden, crisp edge.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Add depth and a warm, festive flavor to the cookies.

• Milk: Helps soften the dough and creates a smooth consistency.
• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Create a simple, smooth icing for decorating.
• Food Coloring, Sprinkles: Optional ingredients to add color and festive decoration to the cookies.

How to Bake Perfect Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 400F (200C). Grab some parchment paper and line your baking sheets for a smooth cookie-making adventure.

Step 2: Blend Dry Goodies

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 3: Whip Creamy Base

In a large bowl, transform butter and sugar into a fluffy cloud. Crack in eggs and splash vanilla and almond extracts.

Mix until everything looks happy together.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough Magic

Slowly add dry ingredients into the creamy mixture.

Pour in milk between dry ingredient additions. If the dough feels too clingy, send it to chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Step 5: Shape Festive Treats

Dust your work surface with flour. Roll out the dough super thin.

Grab holiday-themed cookie cutters and create delightful shapes. Transfer these cute cutouts onto prepared baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven. Bake for 6-8 minutes until edges turn a gentle golden color.

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack.

Step 7: Create Magical Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Add food coloring if you want extra pizzazz.

Step 8: Dress Up Your Cookies

Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe icing. Sprinkle with festive decorations for extra joy.

Notes for Soft Christmas Cookie Success

• Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading and make rolling easier.
• Dust surface lightly with flour to prevent cookies from becoming tough or dry.
• Watch cookies closely – remove when edges are just golden to maintain softness.
• Use various piping tips and food coloring to create unique, festive designs.
• Allow cookies to cool entirely before icing to prevent melting and ensure smooth decoration.

Swaps for Christmas Cookie Lovers Everywhere

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the soft, festive texture.
• Vegan Christmas Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and choose plant-based milk to create a dairy-free alternative.
• Low-Sugar Winter Treats: Substitute granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while keeping the classic cookie flavor.
• Spiced Holiday Cookies: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the dry ingredients for a warm, aromatic Christmas cookie variation that brings extra seasonal warmth.

What Goes With Soft Christmas Cookies

• Pair with Mulled Wine: Warm, spiced mulled wine complements the soft, sweet Christmas cookies perfectly. The cinnamon and clove notes enhance the cookie's delicate almond and vanilla flavors.
• Create a Cozy Hot Chocolate Station: Rich, creamy hot chocolate provides a luxurious backdrop for these festive treats. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience.
• Serve with Peppermint Tea: Crisp, refreshing peppermint tea cuts through the sweetness of the cookies. Its cool, minty essence offers a delightful contrast to the rich, buttery base.
• Match with Eggnog: Classic holiday eggnog brings a creamy, nutmeg-infused companion to these soft Christmas cookies. The rich, velvety drink balances the light, delicate texture of the treats.

Keeping Soft Christmas Cookies Freshest

• Store decorated cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before decorating.
• Keep plain, uniced cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place a piece of bread inside to help maintain softness and prevent drying.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

FAQs

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to roll and bake.

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.

• What's the best way to cut out cookie shapes?

Use sharp, clean cookie cutters and dip them in flour between cuts to prevent sticking. Press firmly and lift carefully to transfer the shapes.

• How can I get smooth, even icing on my cookies?

Use a piping bag or squeeze bottle for more control. Let the base layer of icing dry completely before adding detailed decorations.

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Cookies bring holiday cheer with their delightful blend of warm spices and sweet memories. Crisp edges and tender centers invite family and friends to savor classic comfort that connects generations around the seasonal table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 3/4 cups (472 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) milk

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie preparation.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl to create a uniform dry ingredient blend.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, incorporating eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts until smooth.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, and mix until a cohesive dough forms. Refrigerate for 30 minutes if the dough feels too sticky.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness, using festive cookie cutters to create seasonal shapes.
6. Carefully transfer cookie shapes onto prepared baking sheets, ensuring even spacing.
7. Bake for 6-8 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
8. Prepare a smooth icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Optional: Add food coloring for decorative flair.
9. Once cookies have completely cooled, decorate with icing using a spread or piping technique and embellish with festive sprinkles.

Notes

• Chill the dough before rolling to prevent sticking and make cutting shapes easier.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Dust rolling pin and surface lightly with flour to avoid dough becoming tough.
• Swap almond extract with more vanilla or orange zest for different flavor profiles.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
• Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and tender; remove when edges are just golden.
• Store decorated cookies in single layers between parchment paper to preserve design.
• Freeze unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months for quick holiday baking later.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 141 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 74 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 28 mg