Contents
- 1 Why These Christmas Sugar Cookies Are a Holiday Classic
- 2 Ingredients You’ll Need for the Cookies
- 3 Ingredients for the Icing
- 4 Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
- 5 Step-by-Step Instructions
- 6 Make the Homemade Icing
- 7 How to Decorate Christmas Sugar Cookies
- 8 Flavor Variations for Christmas Sugar Cookies
- 9 Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies Every Time
- 10 Decorating with Kids: Fun Ideas
- 11 Christmas Cookie Board Ideas
- 12 How to Store Christmas Sugar Cookies
- 13 Troubleshooting: Common Sugar Cookie Issues
- 14 Are These Cookies Good for Gifting?
- 15 Frequently Asked Questions
- 16 Final Thoughts
There is a reason classic Christmas sugar cookies remain one of the most beloved holiday treats around the world. Their soft texture, sweet buttery flavor, and the joy of decorating them turn baking into a heartwarming seasonal tradition. Whether you’re baking with children, preparing trays for a holiday gathering, hosting a cookie-decorating party, or creating picture-perfect cookies to gift, this recipe delivers sugar cookies that hold their shape, taste absolutely delightful, and pair beautifully with simple homemade icing.
During the holiday season, these cookies become more than just dessert—they become memories. From rolling out the dough to choosing festive shapes and adding colorful icing, every step feels like part of the holiday celebration. This long-form recipe guide covers everything you need: a detailed ingredient breakdown, step-by-step instructions, icing variations, decorating tips, storage guidance, troubleshooting, and a thorough FAQ section. With more than 1800 words of helpful content for readers, this is your go-to resource for creating holiday-perfect Christmas sugar cookies.
Let’s bake something magical.
Classic Christmas sugar cookies are known for their soft, tender texture and their ability to hold crisp, clean shapes—snowflakes, stars, gingerbread men, trees, stockings, candy canes, and more. This recipe is crafted so your cookies won’t spread or lose detail, ensuring they come out of the oven looking as beautiful as the cookie cutters you used.
These cookies also feature:
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A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth flavor
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A perfect balance of sweetness
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A dough that’s easy to roll and cut
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A soft but sturdy texture ideal for decorating
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A simple icing that dries smooth and glossy
Holiday cookie boxes, dessert boards, school treats, and cozy winter baking nights all call for a recipe you can rely on—and this one delivers consistent perfection every time.
All-Purpose Flour
Provides structure and ensures the cookies hold their shape. For best results, spoon and level the flour.
Butter (Unsalted, Softened)
Butter is the heart of a sugar cookie’s flavor. Softened butter mixes easily and helps create a tender texture.
Sugar (Granulated)
Sweetens the dough while helping achieve the classic sugar cookie texture.
Eggs
Adds moisture and richness while binding the dough.
Vanilla Extract
Gives warmth and classic sugar cookie flavor. A high-quality vanilla makes a noticeable difference.
Baking Powder
Helps cookies rise slightly without losing shape.
Salt
Balancing sweetness and enhancing flavor.
Ingredients for the Icing
Powdered Sugar
Forms the smooth, sweet base.
Milk or Water
Creates the right consistency. (Milk adds richness; water keeps it dairy-light.)
Vanilla Extract or Almond Extract
Both options are delicious and aromatic.
Food Coloring
Red, green, white, blue, and gold shimmer gels are holiday favorites, but optional.
Ingredients List for the Cookies
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
Ingredients List for the Icing
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2 cups powdered sugar
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2–3 tablespoons milk or water
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½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
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Optional: gel food coloring
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare Your Dough
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create soft, tender cookies. Mix in the egg and vanilla until fully combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture gradually. Mix until the dough starts to form and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Shape and Chill
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling ensures the dough becomes firm enough to roll and prevents spreading in the oven.
Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface. Roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Using your favorite holiday cookie cutters, cut shapes and transfer them carefully to a baking sheet lined with parchment.
Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Bake cookies for 8–11 minutes depending on the size and thickness. The edges should remain pale—they should not brown. Soft cookies become firmer as they cool, keeping their delicate texture.
Cool
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Make the Homemade Icing
Mix the Icing
In a mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla or almond extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk or water. Add more liquid as needed, one teaspoon at a time, until the icing is smooth and spreadable but not runny.
Adjust Consistency
Thicker icing is perfect for outlining. Thinner icing works great for flooding the cookie. You can create multiple bowls of icing with different thicknesses based on your decorating goals.
Add Color
Use gel food coloring to create vibrant holiday shades without thinning the icing. Mix well until smooth.
Decorating sugar cookies is where creativity shines. Whether you’re hosting a kids’ decorating party or aiming for elegant holiday designs, these tips help you achieve beautiful results.
Outline and Flood Technique
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Use thicker icing to outline the shape of the cookie.
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Use thinner icing to fill in (flood) the outlined area.
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Use a toothpick or scribe tool to spread icing evenly or create designs.
Add Details
Once the base layer dries, add:
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Polka dots
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Snowflake lines
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Candy-cane stripes
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Stars or tree ornaments
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Simple borders
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Holiday messages (Merry Christmas, Joy, Peace, etc.)
Use Color Wisely
For festive and visually appealing cookies:
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Combine red and white for candy-cane themes
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Use soft pastels for snowflakes
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Choose green for Christmas trees
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Try metallic accents using edible shimmer dust
Add Sprinkles
Add sprinkles before the icing sets. Popular options include:
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Snowflake-shaped sprinkles
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Sugar crystals
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Holiday confetti sprinkles
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Gold or silver sugar
These sugar cookies are delicious on their own, but you can easily personalize the flavor profile to match your holiday preferences.
Almond Sugar Cookies
Replace half the vanilla extract with almond extract for a bakery-style flavor.
Citrus Sugar Cookies
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough for a bright, festive twist.
Spiced Christmas Cookies
Add a hint of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to warm up the flavor.
Frosted Cream Cheese Cookies
Swap vanilla icing for a soft cream cheese frosting—perfect for a richer cookie.
Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
Dip half the cookie in melted dairy-safe chocolate for a beautiful two-tone design.
Chill the Dough
Chilling is essential. It prevents spreading and makes rolling easier.
Don’t Overbake
The cookies should not brown. Pale edges mean a soft, perfect sugar cookie.
Avoid Over-Flouring
Too much flour will make the dough crumbly. Flour lightly and as needed.
Keep Shapes Clean
Dip cookie cutters in flour between cuts to keep edges crisp.
Work in Portions
Roll dough in small batches, keeping the rest chilled to maintain shape.
Decorating with Kids: Fun Ideas
Baking and decorating cookies with children creates joyful memories. Simplify decorating by offering:
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Pre-colored icing
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Easy squeezable bottles
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Larger sprinkles
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Simple cookie shapes
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A “sprinkle station”
Let kids create their own designs—imperfections make the cookies even more charming.
If you’re assembling a holiday cookie board, combine your decorated sugar cookies with:
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Gingerbread cookies
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Chocolate crinkle cookies
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Shortbread
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Peppermint bark
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Fudge squares
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Fresh berries
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Candy canes
Arranged beautifully, these trays make excellent centerpieces for parties and gatherings.
Storing Cookies
Store decorated or undecorated cookies in layers separated by parchment in an airtight container. They stay soft for up to one week.
Freezing the Dough
Shape dough into discs, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Freeze undecorated cookies in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Decorate after thawing for best results.
Freezing Decorated Cookies
Allow icing to fully dry, then layer cookies with parchment paper in freezer-safe containers.
Cookies Spread Too Much
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Dough was not chilled enough
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Butter too warm
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Incorrect flour measurement
Dough Too Sticky
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Not enough chilling time
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Too much liquid extract
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Weather/humidity affecting consistency (add 1–2 tablespoons of flour)
Cookies Too Hard
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Overbaking
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Excess flour
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Oven temperature too high
Icing Too Runny
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Add more powdered sugar
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Use gel colors instead of liquid dyes
Absolutely! These cookies hold up beautifully in treat boxes, tins, or favor bags. Add festive tissue paper, decorative ribbon, or a handwritten tag for a thoughtful holiday gift.
These cookies are ideal for:
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Teachers
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Neighbors
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Friends and family
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Office coworkers
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School parties
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to chill the dough?
Yes. Chilling ensures cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading.
What thickness is best for rolling?
About ¼ inch is ideal for soft, sturdy cookies.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but omit most of the added salt.
Should I use parchment paper?
Yes, parchment helps prevent sticking and promotes even baking.
How long should the icing dry?
Allow icing to dry for several hours or overnight for best results.
Can I make these cookies without icing?
Absolutely! They taste wonderful plain or dusted with powdered sugar.
Can I add sprinkles before baking?
Yes, but they may melt slightly. For precise decoration, add sprinkles after icing.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter and water instead of milk.
How do I prevent the dough from cracking when rolling?
Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes after chilling.
Final Thoughts
Classic Christmas sugar cookies with icing are a holiday essential—timeless, festive, customizable, and irresistibly delicious. They’re the perfect blend of tradition and creativity, appealing to both children and adults. These cookies hold their shape beautifully, taste wonderfully soft and buttery, and offer endless decorating possibilities.
Whether you’re preparing holiday party trays, gifting homemade sweets, creating cozy baking memories, or simply craving a soft sugar cookie, this recipe offers everything you need to achieve perfect Christmas cookies every time.
From rolling out the dough to mixing colorful icing and creating beautiful designs, this recipe brings joy to every step of the holiday baking experience. May your kitchen be filled with warmth, sweetness, and holiday cheer as you bake these delightful cookies. Happy Christmas baking!
