Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy
Delicate christmas butter cookies dance between crispy edges and tender centers, promising pure holiday magic.
Buttery aromas will soon fill your kitchen with warmth and nostalgia.
Sweet memories of childhood celebrations drift through each carefully crafted bite.
Generations have treasured this simple yet elegant treat during festive gatherings.
Soft, melt-in-your-mouth textures reveal baking secrets passed down through loving hands.
Classic ingredients combine into something extraordinary that sparks joy and connection.
You’ll want to share these irresistible cookies with everyone who gathers around your table.
Why Christmas Butter Cookies Feel So Special
Ingredients To Make Christmas Butter Cookies
For the Main Ingredients:For the Flavor Enhancers:For the Decorative Elements:How To Bake Christmas Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Baking Station
Set oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Ensure your workspace is clean and organized for cookie making.
Step 2: Whip Butter to Perfection
Place softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat until creamy and smooth, eliminating any visible lumps for a silky texture.
Step 3: Blend Sugar and Butter
Add granulated sugar to the butter. Mix thoroughly until the combination becomes light, fluffy, and well-incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
Crack an egg into the butter-sugar mixture. Pour in vanilla extract. Whisk until the ingredients create a smooth, uniform liquid.
Step 5: Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together:Ensure no clumps remain to guarantee a perfect cookie texture.
Step 6: Create Cookie Dough
Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture. Fold gently to prevent overmixing, creating a consistent dough.
Step 7: Chill Dough
Refrigerate the prepared dough for 30 minutes. This step helps intensify flavors and firms up the mixture.
Step 8: Shape Cookies
Remove chilled dough. Roll into small, equal-sized balls. Arrange evenly on prepared baking sheets.
Step 9: Add Decorative Touches
Press each cookie ball with a fork or festive stamp. Create interesting patterns and textures.
Step 10: Embellish with Sparkle
Sprinkle generously over cookie surfaces:Add vibrant holiday flair to your treats.
Step 11: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place cookies in preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
Step 12: Cool and Rest
Transfer cookies to wire racks. Allow complete cooling to set their shape and texture.
Step 13: Final Elegant Finish
Dust cookies with powdered sugar. Create a snow-like appearance that adds a touch of winter magic.
Helpful Tips For Christmas Butter Cookies
Creative Versions Of Christmas Butter Cookies
Festive Pairings With Christmas Butter Cookies
How To Store Christmas Butter Cookies Right
Popular Questions About Christmas Butter Cookies
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.
Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure consistent dough portions. This helps cookies bake evenly and look professional.
Look for golden brown edges and a slightly set center. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the wire rack.
Print
Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 42-45 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Festive Christmas butter cookies bring holiday cheer with their delicate, buttery perfection. Rich with tradition and sweet memories, these melt-in-your-mouth treats will delight your senses and spread seasonal joy.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Decorative Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp colored sprinkles
- 1 tbsp red and green sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a clean workspace for your festive cookie creation.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate granulated sugar into the butter, blending thoroughly until the mixture becomes light and airy.
- Crack the egg into the butter-sugar mixture, adding vanilla extract, and whisk until completely integrated and silky.
- Gently sift together flour and salt in a separate bowl, eliminating potential clumps that might affect cookie texture.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to create a uniform, cohesive dough without overmixing.
- Chill the prepared dough for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor development.
- Roll the chilled dough into small, uniform balls, placing them evenly across the prepared baking sheets.
- Delicately press each cookie with a fork or festive cookie stamp, creating decorative patterns.
- Sprinkle colored sprinkles and sanding sugar generously over the cookie surfaces for a vibrant holiday appearance.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching carefully until edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on wire racks.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a final elegant, snow-like finish before serving.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy texture and light, fluffy cookies.
- Chill for Better Shape: Refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookies’ crisp, defined edges during baking.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Decorative Alternatives: Experiment with different sprinkle colors, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes to personalize your holiday cookies for various festive occasions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 151
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 49mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 31mg
Jackson Reid
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training
Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.