Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe

There’s something magical about baking cookies during the holiday season. Christmas Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that captures the essence of the holidays with their soft, buttery texture and simple, sweet flavor. These cookies are not only delicious, but they also offer a fun and festive activity for the whole family. Whether you’re baking them to share with loved ones, leave for Santa, or enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa, these cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite.

The recipe is quick, easy, and requires only a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. The dough is simple to work with, making it perfect for cutting into fun shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes. Once baked, the cookies can be decorated with icing, sprinkles, or enjoyed as they are. The buttery flavor combined with the slight crispness at the edges makes each bite irresistible. It’s a great way to fill your home with the festive spirit and create lasting memories with loved ones during the holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Christmas Butter Cookies are the perfect balance of rich, buttery goodness with a light, delicate texture. The simplicity of the ingredients ensures the cookies are not overly sweet, making them a hit with both kids and adults alike. The dough is incredibly easy to work with, so even novice bakers will find success. Once baked, the cookies have a golden edge that adds a lovely crispness while remaining soft and tender inside.

What makes these cookies even more fun is the opportunity to customize them. Whether you want to decorate them with royal icing, dust them with powdered sugar, or leave them plain, these cookies are a blank canvas for your creativity. They are also perfect for holiday gift-giving or for a cookie swap. No matter how you enjoy them, these Christmas Butter Cookies are sure to spread cheer during the holiday season.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • Butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Egg
  • Baking powder
  • All-purpose flour

Variations

  • Sugar Sprinkles: Before baking, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with colored sugar or edible glitter for a festive touch.
  • Icing Decorations: Once the cookies are baked and cooled, decorate them with royal icing in various holiday colors. You can create intricate designs or simply outline the edges.
  • Add Flavors: Experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon for a unique twist on the traditional butter flavor.
  • Chocolate Dipped: Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate and allow it to set for an extra indulgent treat.
  • Cut-out Designs: Use different cookie cutters to create a variety of fun holiday shapes such as bells, snowflakes, or gingerbread men.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets by leaving them ungreased or lining them with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is important to ensure that the cookies have a light texture.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Egg

Beat in the vanilla extract and the egg, making sure everything is well incorporated.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients

Stir in the baking powder and flour, adding them gradually to prevent lumps. Mix until the dough is well blended.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. This is the perfect thickness for creating cookies that will hold their shape while baking.

Step 6: Cut and Place on Baking Sheets

Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes, then place them on the ungreased cookie sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake.

Step 8: Cool and Decorate

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate as desired or enjoy them plain.

Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft to work with, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to make it easier to roll and cut.
  • Don’t Overmix: Be sure to mix the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
  • Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter works best for creaming with the sugar. If it’s too hard, it won’t blend smoothly, and if it’s too soft, it may make the dough too sticky.
  • Even Rolling: When rolling out the dough, try to keep it even in thickness for consistent baking. A rolling pin with adjustable guides can help.
  • Watch Closely: Since oven temperatures can vary, be sure to watch the cookies towards the end of baking time. Once the edges turn golden, they’re ready.

How to Serve

These Christmas Butter Cookies can be served as-is or with decorative touches. If you’ve added icing or sprinkles, they make a beautiful addition to a holiday dessert spread. Serve them alongside hot cocoa, eggnog, or a warm cup of tea for a cozy holiday treat. They also make wonderful gifts when placed in a festive tin or wrapped up with a ribbon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once the cookies are fully cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week. You can also place a piece of wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.

Freezing

For longer storage, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Roll it out, cut into shapes, and freeze the cut cookies on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place the frozen cookies on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding an extra minute or two.

Reheating

Reheat the cookies briefly in the oven at a low temperature (about 250°F or 120°C) for 5 minutes to bring back a fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before rolling and baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.

2. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While margarine can be used, butter provides a richer flavor and texture. For best results, use unsalted butter.

3. How thick should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and have a nice texture.

4. Can I use self-rising flour?

No, you should use all-purpose flour for this recipe, as self-rising flour contains added baking powder, which can affect the texture.

5. Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yes, once baked and fully cooled, you can freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

6. How can I decorate these cookies?

You can decorate the cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or dusting them with powdered sugar. Get creative with festive colors!

7. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure the dough is chilled before rolling it out, and avoid overworking it. Also, ensure that your baking sheets are not too warm before placing the cookies on them.

8. What can I use if I don’t have cookie cutters?

You can use a glass or a jar lid to cut out simple circular shapes or even make freehand designs.

9. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?

Yes, you can add mini chocolate chips or chunks to the dough for a fun twist.

10. Can I substitute agave syrup for sugar?

Agave syrup is not a direct substitute for granulated sugar in this recipe and could affect the texture. Stick to the original recipe for best results.

Conclusion

Christmas Butter Cookies are the perfect festive treat, offering a buttery, delicate flavor that everyone will love. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, giving them as gifts, or simply enjoying them with a cup of tea, these cookies are easy to make and incredibly satisfying. Their simple yet delicious taste, combined with the fun of decorating, makes them an essential part of the holiday baking tradition.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Amelia
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Description

 

These classic Christmas butter cookies are tender and buttery, perfect for holiday baking! Simple to make and easy to decorate, they’re a festive treat for the whole family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
  • Beat in vanilla and egg.
  • Stir in baking powder and flour until well blended.
  • Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
  • Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden.
  • Allow cookies to cool before decorating.

Notes

  • You can decorate these cookies with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar for a festive touch.
  • If the dough is too soft to roll, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before cutting.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star