Christmas Sugar Cookies

Why make this recipe

Christmas Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that brings the festive spirit right into your home. These cookies are soft, sweet, and decorated with colorful Christmas jimmies, making them a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations. They are easy to make and are sure to please everyone. Plus, they’re a great activity to get the whole family involved in during the holiday season.

How to make Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 270 g (2¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 4 g (1 tsp) baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 170 g (1½ sticks / ¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened (68-72°F)
• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
• 54 g (⅓ cup) Christmas jimmies sprinkles
• 283 g (1¼ bricks / 10 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened (68-72°F)
• 184 g (13 Tbsp) salted butter, softened (68-72°F)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) heavy cream, very cold
• 24 g (2 Tbsp) Christmas sprinkles (jimmies, nonpareils, trees, etc.)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Pause to scrape down the bowl once or twice.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat on medium-low speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two parts, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies sprinkles using a spatula until they are evenly distributed.
7. Use a 3-Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough (48-50 g each).
8. Roll each scoop into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
9. Slightly flatten each dough ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, keeping the cookies at least ½-inch thick.
10. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look soft and no longer glossy. The cookies should not brown.
11. Remove from the oven, then immediately shape each cookie into a perfect circle by gently rotating a cookie cutter or glass larger than the cookies around each cookie to lightly bring in the edges.
12. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth and lump-free, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
14. Add the vanilla extract and salt and beat on low until just combined.
15. Add the sifted powdered sugar in three parts, beating on low speed until just combined, about 10-15 seconds each time. Stop to scrape the bowl as needed.
16. Gradually drizzle in the cold heavy cream (about 1 tablespoon at a time) while whisking on low speed until stiff peaks form, about 1-1½ minutes. Be careful not to overwhip the heavy cream.
17. Pipe the frosting in a spiral pattern over the cookies with a #2A or #1A piping tip, starting from the center and working outward. Alternatively, you can spread the frosting with a spatula to create decorative swirls.
18. Just before serving, sprinkle Christmas sprinkles over the frosting (less is more!).

How to serve Christmas Sugar Cookies

These cookies can be served at holiday parties, given as gifts, or enjoyed at home with family. Arrange them on a festive plate to make your presentation special. The bright colors of the sprinkles will surely catch everyone’s eye!

How to store Christmas Sugar Cookies

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, they can also be frozen. Just make sure to freeze them in a single layer; once they are hard, you can stack them in a container with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.

Tips to make Christmas Sugar Cookies

• Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for the best texture.
• Don’t overmix the dough to keep the cookies soft.
• Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking.
• If you want thicker cookies, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking.

Variation

You can add different flavors to the frosting like peppermint or chocolate for a fun twist. If you don’t have Christmas sprinkles, feel free to use any colorful sprinkles available.

FAQs

1. Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage. Just let it soften slightly before baking.

2. How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for set edges and a soft top that is no longer glossy. The cookies should not brown too much.

3. Can I use a different type of frosting?
Absolutely! You can use any frosting you like, such as royal icing or buttercream. Just make sure it complements the cookies!

4. What can I do if I don’t have all the ingredients?
Most ingredients can be substituted. For example, you might use margarine instead of butter or almond extract instead of vanilla for different flavors!