Add a touch of holiday magic to your baking with these Christmas sugar cookie recipes! These buttery, tender cookies are ideal for cutting into festive shapes and decorating with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Perfect for parties, gifting, or leaving out for Santa, they’re a classic holiday treat everyone will love.

Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 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

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt until a dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Cut the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into festive shapes with cookie cutters.
4. Bake: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely before decorating.

Chewy and Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough: Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Shape and Bake: Roll dough into balls and flatten slightly. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes. Let cool before decorating.

No-Chill Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Instructions:

1. Mix the Dough: Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour and baking powder.
2. Bake Immediately: Roll out dough, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.

Royal Icing for Decorating

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

1. Whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
2. Divide into bowls, add food coloring, and transfer to piping bags.

Why These Recipes Work

• Perfect Texture: Soft yet sturdy cookies ideal for decorating.
• Festive Flair: Easy to customize with shapes, colors, and designs.
• Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples make baking a breeze.

Pro Tips for Sugar Cookie Success

• Chill the Dough: Helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
• Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
• Cool Before Decorating: Let cookies cool completely to avoid melting the icing.

Storage Guidelines

• Refrigerate Dough: Store in the fridge 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 before decorating.