Christmas Butter Cookies

Christmas butter cookies are a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth treat that has become a holiday favorite in many households. With their simple yet rich buttery flavor, these cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends, making them an essential addition to any holiday spread. The recipe is incredibly easy to follow and requires only a few basic ingredients, making it ideal for baking with loved ones, especially around the Christmas season. Whether enjoyed as a snack or as part of a holiday gift basket, these cookies are sure to spread cheer and warmth to everyone who indulges in them.

The beauty of Christmas butter cookies lies in their versatility. You can decorate them with colored sugar, sprinkles, or even royal icing to make them festive and personalized for the holiday season. The soft, tender texture pairs perfectly with a hot cup of cocoa or tea, making them a great treat for cozy winter nights. This recipe yields a generous batch, perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or as a delicious gift. These cookies are a timeless classic that never fails to bring a touch of sweetness and joy to your holiday celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Christmas butter cookies are beloved for their smooth, buttery flavor and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. With just a handful of ingredients, this simple recipe creates delicious cookies that are perfect for sharing during the holiday season. The combination of butter, sugar, and vanilla creates a rich, sweet taste that appeals to both kids and adults alike. These cookies are also incredibly versatile and can be decorated to match any festive theme. The recipe is quick and easy, making it an ideal choice for busy holiday baking, and it’s sure to become a tradition in your holiday baking repertoire.

Ingredients

• Butter, softened
• White sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Variations

• Decorating Ideas: Use colored sugar, sprinkles, or icing to decorate your butter cookies. Royal icing can be used to create intricate designs for an extra festive touch.
• Add-ins: Stir in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit for added texture and flavor.
• Flavored Cookies: Experiment with different extracts, such as almond or lemon, to give your butter cookies a unique twist.
• Cut-Out Cookies: Roll the dough out and use cookie cutters to create fun shapes like stars, hearts, or holiday-themed designs.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when you are ready to bake the cookies.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until smooth and well combined. This will create the base for your dough.

Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. This will add flavor and help bind the dough together.

Step 4: Combine the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir the dry mixture into the creamed butter mixture, blending until the dough comes together.

Step 5: Form the cookies

Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with a fork to give them their classic cookie shape.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown at the edges.

Step 7: Cool

Allow the cookies to cool on wire racks to prevent them from becoming too soft.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Butter Consistency: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smoother dough.
• Flour Measurement: When measuring flour, make sure to spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off to avoid adding too much flour to the dough.
• Cookie Thickness: If you like thicker cookies, simply roll the dough balls slightly bigger or flatten them less.
• Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too soft to handle, chill it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before shaping the cookies.
• Golden Brown Edges: Keep a close eye on the cookies while they bake, as they should turn golden but not over-baked, as they can get dry.

How to Serve

These Christmas butter cookies are perfect on their own or as part of a holiday cookie platter. Serve them at family gatherings, holiday parties, or as an after-dinner treat with a hot beverage. For an extra festive touch, pair the cookies with a mug of hot cocoa, mulled wine, or eggnog. They can also be packaged in decorative tins or boxes to give as holiday gifts or to share with neighbors and friends.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Christmas butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This will help preserve their fresh, soft texture.

Freezing

If you want to make cookies in advance, you can freeze the dough. Simply roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up. Then, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place them directly on a baking sheet and bake as usual, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To refresh leftover cookies, place them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes to warm them up and restore their softness.

FAQs

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

For the best flavor and texture, it’s recommended to use butter. Margarine may alter the taste and texture of the cookies.

2. Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Yes, a hand mixer will work just fine for creaming the butter and sugar.

3. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and store it in the fridge or freeze it to bake later.

4. Can I use a different sugar, such as brown sugar?

You can substitute brown sugar for a different flavor, but it may change the texture of the cookies slightly, making them chewier.

5. How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure the dough is not too soft. If necessary, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.

6. Can I make these cookies into cut-out shapes?

Yes, you can roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make festive shapes. Make sure the dough is chilled to make it easier to cut.

7. Why did my cookies come out too hard?

Overbaking the cookies can make them hard. Be sure to keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven once they are golden.

8. How can I make these cookies more festive?

Decorate the cookies with colored sugar, sprinkles, or royal icing to add a holiday flair.

9. Can I use gluten-free flour?

You can try using gluten-free all-purpose flour as a substitute, but the texture may vary slightly.

10. How many cookies does this recipe make?

This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on the size of the dough balls.

Conclusion

Christmas butter cookies are a holiday classic that everyone loves. With their simple, buttery flavor and soft texture, they are the perfect treat to share with loved ones during the festive season. Easy to make and versatile for decorating, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your holiday baking tradition. Whether enjoyed on their own, paired with a warm drink, or gifted to others, these cookies are guaranteed to bring joy and sweetness to your celebrations.

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