The smell of sugar cookies baking during the holidays—it’s pure nostalgia! These Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies bring festive cheer to your kitchen. Soft, buttery, and perfectly shaped, these cookies are ideal for holiday cut-outs and creative decorating. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, sharing with family, or simply adding some festive treats to your holiday spread, this recipe has you covered.
Holiday baking is all about tradition, and these sugar cookies are a holiday essential. Each bite offers a soft, tender crumb and a delicate sweetness that pairs beautifully with a crisp edge. This recipe is simple yet flavorful and provides the perfect canvas for holiday creativity with icing, sprinkles, or glitter!
Once you try making sugar cookies from scratch, they’re bound to become a holiday staple. Ready to bake some holiday magic? Let’s go! You’ll end up with a kitchen that smells amazing and a beautiful plate of festive cookies to enjoy or share.
Why I Love These Cookies
These cookies are packed with nostalgia and holiday charm. Here’s why they’re so special:
- Simple yet Flavorful: The buttery flavor and hint of vanilla create the perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
- Fun to Decorate: Whether you’re using sprinkles, icing, or edible glitter, these cookies are a blank canvas for creativity.
- Great for Sharing: Perfect for holiday cookie swaps or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Easy to Make: The recipe is beginner-friendly, yet the cookies look and taste amazing.
Holiday baking is all about making memories, and these cookies are great for family baking sessions or quiet afternoons of holiday creativity.
Tips for the Perfect Holiday Sugar Cookies
Follow these tips for perfectly shaped, delicious sugar cookies:
- Use Softened Butter: Softened butter blends easily, creating a light dough that rolls smoothly and bakes evenly.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and makes the dough easier to handle.
- Let Cookies Cool Completely: Before decorating, ensure the cookies are fully cooled to keep the icing from melting.
- Store Properly: After decorating, store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and keep designs intact.
These tips make baking (and decorating) holiday sugar cookies a breeze, ensuring each batch is as beautiful as it is delicious!
Troubleshooting
Here’s how to fix some common sugar cookie issues:
- Dough is Too Dry: Add a teaspoon of milk to help bring it together. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Cookies Spreading in the Oven: This can happen if the dough isn’t chilled long enough. Chill for at least an hour.
- Icing Won’t Set: Give royal icing extra time to set if it’s humid. Place decorated cookies in a cool, dry area.
- Cookies Losing Shape: Use a sharp cutter and avoid twisting while cutting out shapes.
Troubleshooting these common issues will help you achieve picture-perfect holiday cookies every time.
Variations
Looking to add a twist to the classic recipe? Try these variations:
- Spiced Cookies: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for a cozy flavor.
- Lemon or Almond Twist: Add a bit of lemon zest or almond extract for a unique flavor profile.
- Textured Sugar: Roll cookies in sanding sugar before baking for a beautiful sparkle.
- Dipped and Decorated: Dip baked cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkle with candy canes or nuts.
These little tweaks can make your sugar cookies stand out, adding a personal touch to the classic recipe.
How to Store & Give as Gifts
Holiday sugar cookies make wonderful gifts. Here’s how to store and package them:
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Freeze undecorated cookies for up to three months if preparing in advance.
- Gifting Ideas:
- Arrange cookies in a festive tin or box lined with parchment paper and decorate with holiday tissue or bows.
- Wrap individual cookies in cellophane bags with ribbon for a personal touch.
- Add a handwritten recipe card for a thoughtful addition, allowing friends and family to recreate the cookies at home.
Whether you’re giving them as gifts or enjoying them yourself, these cookies bring a touch of holiday warmth and joy to anyone who receives them. Perfect for cookie swaps, family gatherings, or as a sweet gesture for loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes! The dough can be made up to 2 days in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator and let it soften slightly before rolling.
Q: Can I freeze decorated cookies?
A: For the best presentation, it’s recommended to freeze the cookies undecorated. Once thawed, you can decorate them as desired.
Q: Can I skip the almond extract?
A: Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and just adds a little extra flavor. Vanilla alone works great.
Baking Tip: Prevent Your Cookies from Spreading
Ever had your cookies flatten out on the baking sheet? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check out our latest blog post with simple tricks to keep your cookies in perfect shape, every time.
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Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and mix until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place the cookies on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Decorate: Use your favorite icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter to decorate these festive cookies!
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Holiday Sugar Cookies
- Chill the Dough: This step is essential for the cookies to hold their shape. If the dough is too soft, it will spread while baking.
- Roll Evenly: For even baking, roll the dough to a consistent thickness.
- Decorate Creatively: Use colored icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter to make these cookies extra festive and fun!
