Ah, Christmas sugar cookies! There’s just something magical about baking these little delights during the holiday season. I love gathering with family and friends in the kitchen, flour dusting the air, laughter echoing as we roll out the dough and cut it into festive shapes. The best part? Decorating them with vibrant icing and a sprinkle of festive cheer! Trust me, whether you’re a baking pro or just starting out, making and decorating these cookies is a fun, heartwarming tradition that brings everyone together. Plus, the delicious aroma wafting through the house is simply unbeatable. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients List
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk, as needed
- Royal icing for decorating
- Assorted sprinkles for decoration
How to Prepare Christmas Sugar Cookies Decorated
Making these Christmas sugar cookies is a delightful experience, and I promise it’s easier than you might think! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of beautifully decorated cookies in no time. Let’s get started!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This way, it’s nice and hot when your cookies are ready to go in!
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- In another bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and packed white sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. I usually do this for about 2-3 minutes; it really makes a difference!
- Now, add in the large egg and pure vanilla extract to your butter mixture. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients from the first bowl. You can do this in batches to avoid a flour explosion! Just mix until everything is fully combined.
- Once the dough is ready, roll rounded teaspoonfuls of it into balls. Place them on ungreased cookie sheets, giving them a bit of space since they will spread.
- Next, flatten each ball gently with the bottom of a glass. It’s fun to make them uniform in shape—plus, it creates a nice surface for decorating!
- Bake these little beauties in your preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll want them just golden on the edges but still soft in the center.
- Once baked, let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling step is super important before you get to the fun part—decorating!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s an easy and straightforward recipe, perfect for bakers of all skill levels!
- Making these cookies is a fun, creative activity to enjoy with family and friends.
- They’re completely customizable—use your favorite shapes, colors, and sprinkles!
- The cookies are soft and chewy, making them a delightful treat for everyone.
- They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy night in.
- The aroma of freshly baked cookies fills your home with festive cheer!
- You’ll create lasting memories decorating these festive cookies together.
- They make wonderful gifts—who wouldn’t love a box of beautifully decorated cookies?
Tips for Success
To make sure your Christmas sugar cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some of my top tips. Trust me, these little nuggets of wisdom will make the baking process smoother and the results even more delicious!
- Dough Consistency: When mixing your dough, it should be soft but not sticky. If it feels too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s just right. You want it to hold its shape when you roll it out.
- Chill the Dough: If you have time, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes can really help! It makes it easier to roll out and cut into shapes, plus it prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Decorating Techniques: For the royal icing, make sure it’s the right consistency—thicker for outlining and thinner for flooding. A squeeze bottle or piping bag works wonders for precision. Don’t forget to have fun with different colors and patterns!
- Storage: Once your cookies are decorated, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you have layers, place parchment paper between them to avoid sticking. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for about a week!
- Experiment with Sprinkles: Don’t hold back on the sprinkles! Mix and match different types—like nonpareils, jimmies, and edible glitter—to make your cookies pop. The more festive, the better!
Variations
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, there are so many fun ways to mix up this classic Christmas sugar cookie recipe! Here are some of my favorite variations that’ll keep things exciting and festive:
- Different Sprinkles: Switch up your sprinkle game! Try using themed sprinkles for different holidays or events—think snowflakes, candy canes, or even chocolate sprinkles for a richer treat.
- Flavored Icing: Instead of plain royal icing, why not add a splash of flavor? A drop of almond extract or peppermint extract can elevate your icing and give your cookies a delightful twist!
- Cookie Shapes: Get creative with your cookie cutters! Use holiday-themed shapes like stars, trees, or even festive animals. You can also mix in some non-holiday shapes for a fun surprise!
- Colorful Dough: Why not tint your cookie dough? A few drops of food coloring can turn your dough into a vibrant masterpiece. You can even swirl different colors together for a marbled effect!
- Chocolate Chip Addition: For a little extra decadence, fold in some mini chocolate chips into the dough. The chocolate against the sweet vanilla base is simply heavenly!
- Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. It’ll remind everyone of gingerbread but with a softer texture!
With these variations, you can make each batch of Christmas sugar cookies uniquely yours. Let your creativity shine, and don’t forget to enjoy the process as much as the delicious results!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your beautifully decorated Christmas sugar cookies is super simple, and I’ve got some handy tips to keep them fresh and delicious for as long as possible! After you’ve let them cool completely, place your cookies in an airtight container. This will keep them soft and prevent them from getting too hard. If you’ve made multiple layers of cookies, be sure to add a piece of parchment paper between each layer to avoid any sticking.
They’ll stay delightful for about a week at room temperature, but I bet they won’t last that long! If you find yourself with a few leftover cookies (which is pretty rare in my house), you can pop them in the fridge for up to two weeks—but remember, they’ll lose a bit of that fresh-baked goodness.
Now, if you want to reheat them and bring back that warm, just-baked feel, here’s what I recommend: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the cookies on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 5 minutes—just enough to soften them up again. You can also use the microwave, but be careful! Heat them for just 10-15 seconds, or they might become a gooey mess. Enjoy your festive treats any time you crave a little holiday magic!
Nutritional Information
While I love sharing these delicious Christmas sugar cookies with you, it’s important to note that the nutritional information can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. The values provided are approximate and are meant to give you a basic idea of what to expect. Always feel free to adjust the recipe to fit your dietary needs and preferences!
As a general guideline, one cookie has about 150 calories, 10g of sugar, and 7g of fat. Just keep in mind that these values can change depending on how you decorate or modify your cookies. Happy baking!
FAQ Section
Can I freeze my decorated Christmas sugar cookies?
Absolutely! Just make sure they’re completely cooled and decorated first. Layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container, and they can last in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature. They’ll taste just as delightful!
What’s the best way to store my cookies?
To keep those festive cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’ve decorated them, use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They should stay soft and delicious for about a week—if they last that long!
Can I use a different type of icing for decoration?
Definitely! While royal icing is a classic choice for detailed decorations, you can use buttercream or even a simple glaze if you prefer something sweeter and creamier. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold its shape when you decorate!
Why did my cookies spread too much while baking?
This can happen if the dough is too warm or if you didn’t chill it before baking. Chilling the dough helps maintain its shape, so if you notice it’s sticky or soft, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling it out!
How can I make my icing colorful and festive?
The easiest way to add color to your icing is by using gel food coloring. Just a tiny bit goes a long way! Mix it in gradually until you reach your desired shade. You can even create a rainbow of colors to make your decorated cookies extra cheerful and eye-catching!
Christmas Sugar Cookies Decorated: 7 Tips for Joyful Baking
- Gesamtzeit: 30 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious Christmas sugar cookies decorated with icing and sprinkles.
Zutaten
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
- Royal icing for decoration
- Sprinkles for decoration
Anweisungen
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Let cool before decorating with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature.
- Use a variety of cookie cutters for different shapes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 10 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: christmas sugar cookies, decorated cookies, festive cookies
