Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
If you’re dreaming of buttery, tender treats that practically melt in your mouth, this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need to make your holidays sparkle. These cookies strike the perfect balance between a soft, pillowy texture and just the right amount of festive sweetness. With simple ingredients and a fun decorating step, they’re a delightful way to bring everyone together around the kitchen counter and share some joy one bite at a time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that you probably already have, each playing their part perfectly: the flour provides structure, butter lends that delicious richness, and the vanilla and almond extracts add subtle warmth that will remind you of holiday magic.
- All-purpose flour (3 ¾ cups): The base of your cookie that gives them structure and softness.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay tender and fluffy.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors so nothing tastes flat.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Essential for that melt-in-your-mouth richness; soften it well for easy creaming.
- Granulated sugar (1 ½ cups): Sweetens while helping achieve the perfect light texture.
- Eggs (2 large): Bind everything together and add moisture for softness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): One of the main flavor stars – so comforting and classic.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle hint of nutty depth that makes these cookies extra special.
- Milk (4 tablespoons): Keeps the dough moist and helps with the texture.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): For smooth, sweet icing to decorate your festive creations.
- Additional milk (4 tablespoons): Mixed with powdered sugar for the icing’s perfect consistency.
- Additional vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): In the icing for flavor harmony.
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional): Bring bright holiday fun and charm to your finished cookies.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures your cookies bake quickly to a soft center with just a hint of golden edges. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients ahead of time helps them incorporate evenly, which is key to a consistent and tender cookie.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This step is crucial because it traps air in the dough, contributing to the delightful softness that defines this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. The eggs add moisture and structure, while the extracts introduce those cozy holiday flavors you’ll love.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your whisked dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. This ensures an even, well-blended dough that’s not too sticky or dry. If the dough feels sticky, don’t worry — just pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
Step 6: Roll and Cut Out Shapes
On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. This thickness is perfect for a soft interior but enough to hold its shape. Use your favorite festive cookie cutters, from stars to bells, and place the cutouts on your prepared baking sheets.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 6 to 8 minutes, watching closely for the edges to turn just a delicate golden color. This is the secret to soft, flavorful cookies that aren’t overdone. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Prepare the Icing
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. This icing is silky and sweet, perfect for decorating your holiday shapes. If you want to get festive, split the icing into bowls and add food coloring for popping reds, greens, or whatever colors strike your fancy.
Step 9: Decorate and Delight
Once cooled, spread or pipe your icing onto the cookies and sprinkle with your favorite holiday sprinkles. This creative step is a chance to share laughs and make wonderful memories with family or friends.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your soft Christmas cookies with colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or mini candy canes adds the perfect festive touch. These accents not only look delightful but introduce fun textures and bursts of holiday cheer to every bite.
Side Dishes
Serve your cookies alongside a warm mug of spiced hot cocoa, creamy eggnog, or a simple glass of cold milk. These drinks complement the sweet, buttery softness of the cookies and bring an extra cozy holiday vibe to your gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a decorative holiday platter, layer them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gifting, or place them in a beautiful tin for a classic touch. Presentation can elevate these soft treats and make sharing them feel even more special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for several days — perfect for snacking anytime holiday cravings hit.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the cooled baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can last up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
To refresh your soft Christmas cookies after storage or freezing, warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes until soft and slightly warmed through. This little trick brings back that freshly baked feel every time.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract if I don’t have it?
Absolutely! You can leave it out or replace it with a little extra vanilla extract or a touch of lemon zest for a different kind of flavor twist. The cookies will still taste wonderful either way.
Why do my cookies sometimes turn out hard instead of soft?
Overbaking is often the culprit. Be sure to bake just until the edges are lightly golden and not brown. Also, chilling the dough helps control spreading and maintains softness.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just keep an eye on dough texture, adding a bit more milk if it’s too dry.
Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can use salted butter, but reduce or omit the salt in the recipe to prevent oversalting. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the final taste.
How long does the icing take to dry before decorating or packaging?
Let the icing set at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. For thicker layers or heavy decorations, it might take longer to harden fully.
Final Thoughts
This Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is a holiday staple that brings warmth, sweetness, and festive fun together in every bite. Whether you’re baking with loved ones or gifting them to friends, these cookies are sure to make your season brighter. So grab your rolling pin, your favorite cutters, and dive into the joy of creating something soft, sweet, and utterly irresistible!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect festive treat with a tender, buttery texture and a sweet vanilla-almond flavor. Easy to make and fun to decorate, they are ideal for holiday baking, with soft cookies topped with colorful icing and sprinkles to bring holiday cheer.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 4 tablespoons milk
Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which helps create a soft texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and almond extracts, mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the 4 tablespoons of milk, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. If the dough feels too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make rolling easier.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges turn just lightly golden for that soft, delicate texture. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the icing is smooth. Add food coloring if desired to create vibrant decorating colors.
- Decorate: Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the icing on top and decorate with sprinkles as desired to add a festive touch.
Notes
- Chilling the dough prevents sticking and makes cutting shapes easier.
- Baking time is short to keep cookies soft; watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
- Use parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
- Customize icing colors and decorations to fit your holiday theme.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness for several days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
