Festive Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen whenever I bake these magical christmas butter cookies that melt like snowflakes on warm fingertips.

Grandma’s cherished recipe whispers comfort from generations past.

Delicate rounds of buttery goodness promise pure holiday happiness.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a perfect balance of texture and taste.

These simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary that sparks joy with each bite.

Soft vanilla notes and rich butter will transport you to cozy winter moments.

Sprinkle some festive magic and let these cookies become your new holiday tradition.

What Makes Christmas Butter Cookies a Holiday Classic

• Quick Christmas Cookie Magic
• Enjoy three different cookie styles (drop, rolled, or piped) that adapt to your mood and skill level, making baking a breeze for everyone from beginners to seasoned bakers.
• Whip up delightful cookies in under 30 minutes of active preparation time, perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings or spontaneous baking sessions.
• Engage children in fun holiday activities by letting them sprinkle, decorate, and create personalized cookie masterpieces with minimal adult supervision.
• Craft elegant cookies suitable for Christmas parties, family gatherings, gifting, or casual weekend treats that everyone will adore.

All the Ingredients Behind These Festive Treats

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that provides flavor and soft texture. European-style or high-fat butter works best.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, delicate sweetness and helps achieve a tender cookie texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor. Pure vanilla extract recommended over imitation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and maintains cookie shape. Sifting helps prevent lumps.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Holiday Sprinkles, Colored Sugar: Adds festive visual appeal and extra sweetness.
• Royal Icing: Provides smooth, decorative finish for detailed designs.
• Melted Chocolate: Offers rich drizzle and additional flavor variation.

How to Mix, Shape, and Bake These Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar into Fluffy Clouds

In a spacious mixing bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar until they transform into a light, airy mixture that looks like fluffy clouds.

Step 3: Splash in Vanilla Goodness

Pour in vanilla extract and blend until it’s completely mixed and smelling delightful.

Step 4: Marry Dry Ingredients

Gently fold in sifted flour and salt, mixing on low speed until a soft, pillowy dough comes together.

Step 5: Get Creative with Cookie Shapes

Choose your cookie adventure:

• Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto baking sheets
• Gently press down with a glass bottom

• Chill dough for 30 minutes
• Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness
• Use festive cookie cutters to create holiday shapes

• Transfer dough to piping bag with star tip
• Create rosettes or swirly designs directly on baking sheet

Step 6: Dress Up Your Cookies

• Festive sprinkles
• Colored sugar
• Sparkly decorations

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide cookies into the oven and bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn a lovely golden brown. Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 8: Final Festive Touches

• Drizzle with royal icing
• Zigzag melted chocolate
• Dust with powdered sugar

Tips for Buttery Texture and Holiday Sparkle

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Leave butter out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before starting, ensuring smooth and even mixing without overheating.
• Prevent Spreading Cookies: Chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Customize Decorations Creatively: Use holiday-themed sprinkles, colored sugars, or edible glitter to add festive flair and personalize each cookie.
• Achieve Consistent Size: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform drop cookies, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Best Ways to Keep Cookies Tasting Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the coolest part of your refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies stay delicious for 2-3 months without losing their buttery texture.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture damage.
• If cookies become soft, place them in a preheated 300F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their original crisp texture and warm, delightful aroma.

Pairing Drinks and Desserts for Your Cookie Tray

• Cinnamon and cardamom-infused tea complements the buttery sweetness, creating a cozy Christmas morning experience with each delicate cookie bite.
• Creamy dark chocolate beverage enhances the cookie's vanilla notes, offering a luxurious winter warmth that melts perfectly with the delicate butter cookie texture.
• Aromatic spiced wine provides a sophisticated adult pairing, balancing the cookie's sugary profile with deep, complex wine undertones and festive holiday spirit.
• Mild soft cheeses like brie or mascarpone create delightful contrasts, allowing the cookie's delicate butter flavor to shine while providing elegant entertaining options.

Holiday Twists You Can Bake Next Time

Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic buttery texture.

Vegan Christmas Cookies: Replace butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and use powdered sugar made from organic sugar to create a plant-based treat that’s equally festive.

Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while preserving the cookie’s delicate flavor profile.

Chocolate Peppermint Variation: Fold in crushed candy canes and mix cocoa powder into the dough for a rich, minty Christmas cookie that feels extra special and indulgent.

Christmas Cookie Questions, Solved

• What ingredients do I need for Christmas Butter Cookies?

The key ingredients are butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt. You’ll also want holiday sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the unbaked dough for up to 2 months, which is perfect for holiday prep.

• How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

Look for lightly golden edges. The cookies should be set but not dark brown. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

• What are the different ways I can shape these cookies?

You have three options: drop cookies (scooped), rolled cookies (cut with holiday cutters), or piped cookies (using a star tip to create rosettes and swirls). Each method gives a unique look to your Christmas treats.

Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas butter cookies bring sweet holiday cheer with their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Rich buttery goodness and simple ingredients create perfect treats that connect family traditions and delightful seasonal memories you’ll treasure.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (100 g) powdered sugar, sifted

Flavor and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decoration Ingredients:

• Holiday sprinkles
• Colored sugar
• Royal icing (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Create a creamy base by whipping softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Enhance the flavor profile by gently incorporating vanilla extract, ensuring complete integration with the butter-sugar mixture.
4. Transform the mixture into a cohesive dough by gradually introducing sifted flour and salt, mixing at low speed until a soft, pliable consistency develops.
5. Select your preferred cookie formation technique: drop cookies can be portioned with a tablespoon and gently flattened; rolled cookies require chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to 1/4-inch thickness and cutting with festive cutters; piped cookies involve transferring dough to a star-tipped piping bag for elegant rosette or swirl designs.
6. Personalize the cookies with holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or decorative elements before placing them in the oven.
7. Bake the cookies until their edges turn a delicate golden hue, typically 10-12 minutes. Allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
8. Complete the festive transformation by embellishing cooled cookies with royal icing or a luxurious chocolate drizzle for an extra touch of holiday elegance.

Notes

• Softened butter ensures smooth mixing and prevents tough cookies, so let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
• Use powdered sugar for a more delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that creates a lighter cookie crumb.
• Chill the dough if it feels too soft or sticky, which helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape during baking.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding almond extract, lemon zest, or crushed peppermint for a festive twist on the classic recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 118
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg