Magical Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Biting into a soft Christmas cookies recipe that melts like winter snowflakes on your tongue.

These delicate treats carry memories of childhood holiday gatherings.

Sweet aromas of vanilla and cinnamon will dance through your kitchen.

Generations of home bakers have perfected this delightful recipe.

Each cookie promises a moment of pure comfort and joy.

Warm ovens and festive sprinkles await you.

You’ll want to save this special recipe for your annual holiday baking tradition.

Why Best Soft Christmas Cookies Are a Holiday Hit

• Craft Festive Delights: These Christmas cookies offer a perfect blend of buttery softness and delicate flavor that captures the holiday spirit with every bite.
• Effortless Baking Adventure: The simple recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it accessible for bakers of all experience levels from kids to grandparents.
• Customizable Creativity: Decorating these cookies becomes a fun family activity, allowing everyone to express their artistic side through colorful royal icing, sprinkles, and unique design techniques.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The dough can be prepared and chilled up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility for busy holiday schedules and reducing day-of stress while ensuring fresh, delicious cookies.

Everything You Need for Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the cookies, all-purpose flour works best.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, tender cookie with golden edges.
• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, best when softened at room temperature.

• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic sweet flavor, pure vanilla gives the best taste.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that adds a subtle nutty depth to the cookie flavor.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, light texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

Optional Decorating Ingredients:

• Powdered Sugar: Creates the smooth, glossy base for royal icing.
• Meringue Powder: Helps the icing set and provides structure.
• Water: Adjusts the consistency of the royal icing.

• Food Coloring: Allows customization of icing colors for festive decoration.
• Sprinkles: Adds color and fun texture to the finished cookies.
• Colored Sugar: Provides additional decorative sparkle and sweetness.

How to Bake the Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up Cookie Dough

• Soft butter
• Granulated sugar

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a tender, cohesive dough.

Step 2: Chill Dough

Split dough into two equal portions. Shape each into a flat disc, then wrap securely in plastic. Refrigerate for minimum one hour or up to one day.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Surface

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 4: Shape Festive Cookies

Dust work surface with flour. Roll out chilled dough to quarter-inch thickness. Select holiday-themed cookie cutters and transform dough into charming shapes. Transfer carefully onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide trays into preheated oven. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden. Remove and let cookies rest on sheet for five minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

Step 6: Create Magical Royal Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Meringue powder

Add water gradually, stirring until reaching desired consistency. Separate icing into smaller bowls and experiment with food coloring.

Step 7: Decorate with Joy

• Colorful sugar
• Edible glitter
• Festive sprinkles

Allow icing to set for several hours before storing or serving.

Tips for Fluffy and Soft Christmas Cookies

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie's shape during baking.
• Flour Power: Dust your work surface and rolling pin lightly with flour to prevent sticking and ensure smooth cookie cutting.
• Texture Trick: Let cookies cool completely before decorating to achieve a crisp base and prevent icing from melting.
• Consistency Control: Adjust royal icing thickness by adding water or powdered sugar for precise decorating techniques.
• Storage Wisdom: Store decorated cookies in a single layer between parchment paper to preserve intricate icing designs and prevent smudging.

How to Store Best Soft Christmas Cookies

• Refrigerate: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Room Temperature: For decorated cookies, keep in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 3-4 days for best texture and flavor.
• Revive Texture: If cookies become slightly soft, crisp them up by placing on a baking sheet and warming in a preheated 300F oven for 3-5 minutes.

Best Things to Eat with Best Soft Christmas Cookies

• Pair with Festive Eggnog: Creamy, spiced eggnog complements the soft, buttery cookies perfectly. The rich, vanilla notes in both the drink and cookie create a harmonious holiday experience.
• Match with Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Warm, minty hot chocolate elevates the cookie's sweet flavor. The cool peppermint contrast brings out the cookie's delicate almond and vanilla undertones.
• Serve with Cinnamon Coffee: Robust, aromatic coffee with a hint of cinnamon balances the cookie's sweetness. The warm beverage enhances the cookie's delicate texture and holiday spirit.
• Complement with Spiced Apple Cider: Warm, slightly tangy apple cider provides a festive backdrop for these soft Christmas cookies. The subtle spices in the cider dance beautifully with the cookie's sweet, buttery profile.

New Twists for Best Soft Christmas Cookies

• Spiced Holiday Cookies: Blend warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the dough for a cozy winter flavor profile that captures Christmas spirit.
• Chocolate Drizzled Cutouts: Dip half of each baked cookie into melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint for an elegant winter treat.
• Citrus Zest Cookies: Incorporate orange or lemon zest directly into the dough, creating a bright and refreshing alternative to traditional Christmas cookies.
• Nutty Christmas Cookies: Fold finely chopped pecans or almonds into the dough, adding rich texture and a subtle crunch to each festive bite.

FAQs About Best Soft Christmas Cookies

• What makes these Christmas cookies so soft and delicious?

The secret is in creaming the butter and sugar thoroughly, which creates tiny air pockets that make the cookies light and tender. Adding both vanilla and almond extract also gives them a rich, deep flavor that makes them extra special.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before rolling and cutting. This actually helps develop deeper flavors and makes the dough easier to handle when you’re ready to bake.

• Do I need any special equipment to decorate these cookies?

Not really. While piping bags can be helpful, you can easily use a spoon or even a butter knife to spread royal icing. The most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity shine when decorating your Christmas cookies.

• How can I ensure my cookies turn out perfectly?

The key is to not overmix the dough and to roll it to an even 1/4-inch thickness. This helps ensure all your cookies bake evenly and stay soft and delicious.

Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive holiday “best soft christmas cookies” bring warmth and cheer to winter gatherings. Rich butter and sweet spices meld into delightful treats that melt in your mouth, giving perfect comfort during cold seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Flour and Fat):

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Sweeteners and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Royal Icing Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2.3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 4.6 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)

Decorative Ingredients:

• Holiday sprinkles
• Colored sugars
• Edible glitter
• Food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious cookie foundation by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with pronounced volume and smoothness.
2. Incorporate eggs and aromatic extracts, gently folding them into the creamy base to ensure uniform distribution and enhanced flavor complexity.
3. Meticulously sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel, then gradually integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to develop a tender, cohesive dough.
4. Partition the dough into symmetrical discs, envelop each portion in protective plastic wrap, and allow them to rest and firm up in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, which will intensify the texture and flavor.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for cookie formation.
6. Dust a clean work surface with a delicate layer of flour, then skillfully roll out the chilled dough to a precise quarter-inch thickness, ensuring uniform shape and consistent baking.
7. Employ festive cookie cutters to sculpt intricate shapes, transferring each delicate cutout onto the prepared baking sheets with gentle precision and maintaining appropriate spacing.
8. Bake the cookies until the edges acquire a subtle golden hue, approximately 8-10 minutes, signaling their perfect doneness and delicate crispness.
9. Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then carefully transition them to a cooling rack, where they can achieve complete temperature equilibration.
10. For those desiring elaborate decoration, whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder, gradually introducing water to create a smooth, adaptable royal icing with ideal piping consistency.
11. Embellish the cooled cookies with artistic icing designs, incorporating vibrant food colorings, sparkling sprinkles, and decorative elements that celebrate the festive spirit.
12. Permit the decorative icing to solidify completely, typically requiring 2-3 hours, before storing or presenting these delightful Christmas confections.

Notes

• Ensure butter is truly softened at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing without over-beating.
• Chill dough completely to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use fresh baking powder to guarantee cookies rise properly and maintain a light, delicate texture.
• Experiment with alternative extracts like orange or peppermint for unique flavor variations that transform traditional Christmas cookies.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg