The holiday season would not be complete without a batch of delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treats, and this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need to bring comfort and joy to your festive gatherings. These cookies have that perfect soft texture that simply melts as you bite in, paired with a sweet, buttery flavor that captures the spirit of Christmas in every single bite. Whether you’re baking with family or preparing a show-stopping cookie platter, this recipe is easy to follow and promises to deliver those warm, nostalgic holiday vibes everyone craves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a tender, luscious cookie. Each ingredient plays a vital role, from the all-purpose flour giving structure to the butter providing that rich softness, ensuring every bite is truly delightful.
- All-purpose flour (3 ¾ cups): The backbone of your cookie dough, giving it the right texture and body.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and fluffy.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the cookie’s flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Adds richness and makes the cookies wonderfully tender.
- Granulated sugar (1 ½ cups): Sweetens the dough while helping with the perfect crumb.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the ingredients and add moisture needed for softness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses the cookies with warm, comforting flavor.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle, festive note to the overall taste.
- Milk (4 tablespoons): Keeps the dough moist and easy to roll out.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): For making the sweet icing that decorates the cookies.
- Milk for icing (4 tablespoons): Mixes perfectly with powdered sugar to create smooth frosting.
- Vanilla extract for icing (1 teaspoon): Complements the cookie flavor in the frosting.
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional): For adding that festive pop and extra cheer.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to a lively 400°F (200°C). While it warms up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick, making clean-up easier and your treats come out pristine every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Next, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution, so every cookie bakes up with a consistent softness and flawless flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is crucial because the fluffiness traps air, contributing to that beloved soft texture in your cookies.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined. These ingredients add the moisture and fragrant notes that make these cookies truly festive and memorable.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet ones, alternating with the milk. This method keeps the dough smooth and soft. If it feels too sticky, pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes—that little chill helps with rolling out.
Step 6: Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour a clean surface and roll your dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Grab your favorite festive cookie cutters to create shapes that scream holiday cheer, then place the cutouts neatly on your lined baking sheets.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies for 6 to 8 minutes or until the edges just start to pick up a golden hue. Remember, these soft cookies should not be crisp! Once out of the oven, give them a few minutes on the sheet to set before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Prepare the Icing
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Add a few drops of your favorite food coloring to get those classic reds, greens, or any color you love for the holiday spirit.
Step 9: Decorate and Enjoy
Once the cookies are cool, spread or pipe the icing on top and sprinkle with festive decorations. This is where the magic really happens—each cookie becomes a little work of art ready to brighten your holiday table.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkles, colored sugar crystals, or even edible glitter add an extra sparkle that makes these cookies look as delightful as they taste. For a cozy touch, dust with a delicate sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair these soft Christmas cookies with a steaming cup of hot cocoa, chai tea, or classic eggnog for a wonderfully comforting snack that’s perfect for chilly winter nights or festive gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your decorated cookies on a holiday-themed platter or stack them in a clear glass jar tied with a ribbon for gifting. You can also thread string through small holes in the cookies and hang them as edible ornaments for an interactive holiday display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your extra cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to a week, making it easy to enjoy a festive treat even days after baking.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, freeze the unbaked dough or baked cookies. For dough, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. For baked cookies, place them in a freezer-safe bag separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating
Gently warm your cookies in the oven at a low temperature (about 300°F) for 5 minutes to bring back that just-baked softness. Avoid microwaving as it can dry them out quickly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe?
All-purpose flour works best for maintaining that tender yet structured texture. Using whole wheat or gluten-free flour may alter the softness and flavor, so if you swap, expect a different result.
Why are my cookies turning out crispy instead of soft?
Make sure not to overbake the cookies—6 to 8 minutes is perfect. Also, using the correct amount of butter and milk in the dough helps keep them soft. Chilling sticky dough before cutting can help maintain the texture as well.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
With a few ingredient swaps like vegan butter and egg substitutes, you can adapt this recipe. Just keep in mind the texture and flavor might slightly change from the classic Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe you love.
How do I get my icing to be the right consistency?
Start with the recommended powdered sugar to milk ratio and add milk in tiny increments if you need to thin it out. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but spreadable for decorating.
What is the best way to store decorated cookies?
Let the icing harden completely before stacking. Store them in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers inside an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about baking Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe during the holidays. The tender crumb, festive shapes, and sweet icing come together to create memories that last. So gather your ingredients, invite your loved ones into the kitchen, and enjoy every joyful moment this recipe brings. Happy baking and even happier holidays!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are tender, buttery, and delightfully festive. Perfectly spiced and decorated with smooth vanilla icing and sprinkles, they bring holiday cheer to any gathering. Made with simple ingredients and baked to soft perfection, these cookies are ideal for sharing with family and friends during the Christmas season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 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 (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside to blend the leavening and seasoning evenly throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender cookie.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined, adding moisture and flavor depth to the dough.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined. If the dough feels too sticky to roll, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Roll Out the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to shape the dough, then place the shapes on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Add food coloring if desired to create colorful decorations.
- Decorate: Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread or pipe the icing on top. Add sprinkles or other festive decorations as desired to finish your soft Christmas cookies.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes cutting shapes easier.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- The almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor but can be omitted if allergic or undesired.
- For softer cookies, do not overbake; remove them as soon as edges start to turn golden.
- Let cookies cool completely before icing to prevent melting or sliding of decorations.
