Make your holiday season extra special with this best Christmas cookie recipe! These buttery, tender cookies are easy to bake and perfect for decorating with festive icing and sprinkles. Whether for a cookie exchange, gifting, or just indulging with family, these cookies are sure to be a holiday favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need Best Christmas Cookie Recipe

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder or 1 egg white
• 3 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
• Food coloring (optional)

How to Make the Best Christmas Cookie Recipe

1. Make the Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

2. Chill the Dough:

• Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

3. Roll and Cut the Cookies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use cookie cutters to cut into festive shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

4. Bake:

• Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on wire racks before decorating.

5. Prepare the Royal Icing:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
2. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring as desired. Transfer to piping bags for decorating.

6. Decorate the Cookies:

• Use the royal icing to outline and fill your cookies. Add sprinkles or edible glitter for extra holiday charm.

Serving Suggestions Best Christmas Cookie Recipe

These cookies are perfect for:

• Holiday parties and cookie exchanges
• Gifting in festive tins or bags
• Leaving out for Santa with a glass of milk

Why This Recipe Works

• Holds Its Shape: The dough stays firm during baking, ensuring perfect shapes.
• Easy to Customize: Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter.
• Delicious Flavor: A hint of almond extract adds festive flair to the buttery base.

Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies

• Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough prevents spreading and makes it easier to work with.
• Roll Evenly: Use rolling pin guides or place sticks of equal thickness on either side of the dough for uniform cookies.
• Let Icing Dry: Allow decorated cookies to dry completely before stacking or packaging.

Storage Guidelines

• Refrigerate Dough: Wrap and store dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking.
• Store Baked Cookies: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Freeze: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.