How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies?
At its core, the holiday season is all about delicious treats, joyful gatherings with loved ones, and, of course, Christmas sugar cookies! Buttery and festive, these cookies have been around for a long time and are still beloved today for their deliciousness and cuteness. For me, Sugar cookie making is a chance to spend quality time with family and friends, particularly children.
In this blog, you will find a simple sugar cookie recipe along with helpful hints for making the cookies, suggestions for embellishing them, and an account of the delight you will feel when you share your baked goods with loved ones.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 egg
For the Frosting:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- Gel food coloring (optional)
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies?
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Proper preheating is essential to ensure that your cookies bake evenly, resulting in a uniform golden-brown color and consistent texture. While your oven warms up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. The parchment not only prevents sticking but also makes cleanup much easier—a real lifesaver during the busy holiday season!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of white sugar. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until it becomes pale, fluffy, and creamy.
The tiny air pockets created during this process will expand in the oven, giving your cookies a light and tender texture. Be sure the butter is at room temperature, as cold butter won't mix well, and melted butter can make the cookies too dense.
If you're baking with kids, this step is an exciting opportunity for them to see how simple ingredients transform into a luscious mixture, sparking their interest in the magic of baking.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Crack 1 large egg into the bowl, then add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until the egg and vanilla are fully incorporated. These ingredients enhance the flavor of your cookies. The egg binds everything together, while the vanilla provides that classic, sweet aroma synonymous with sugar cookies.
Zulay Says: For an extra festive touch, consider using vanilla bean paste instead of extract. It adds a richer flavor and specks of vanilla that look beautiful in the dough!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, about 1/3 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition.
This gradual mixing method prevents the flour from flying everywhere and ensures the dough comes together evenly. The baking powder helps the cookies rise slightly, while the salt enhances their flavor, balancing the sweetness.
Once all the dry ingredients are mixed in, the dough should be soft but not sticky. If it's too sticky to handle, sprinkle in a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Step 5: Shape the Dough
Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking. Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a disc, as this makes rolling easier and more uniform.
Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thickness. A thinner dough might bake too crisp, while thicker cookies could turn out doughy in the center. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough as you roll to keep it from sticking to the rolling pin.
Step 6: Cut Out Your Cookies
Using Christmas-themed cookie cutters, press firmly into the dough to create shapes like stars, trees, snowflakes, or gingerbread people. Be creative—this is the perfect time to involve kids and let them pick their favorite shapes!
Transfer the cut-out cookies to your prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch of space between each one. This gap allows for slight spreading during baking without the cookies merging together.
Pro tip: Re-roll the scraps of dough to cut out more cookies, but try not to overwork it, as this could make the cookies tougher.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just beginning to turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them—they can go from perfectly baked to overdone quickly!
For softer cookies, pull them out as soon as the edges firm up but before they darken too much. For crisper cookies, bake for an additional minute or two.
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Make the Frosting
While the cookies are cooling, it’s time to prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, combine:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix the ingredients until smooth and glossy. The corn syrup gives the frosting a shiny finish and helps it set firmly. If the frosting feels too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until it’s smooth but still thick enough to hold its shape when piped.
Step 9: Add Color and Creativity
For colorful decorations, divide the frosting into separate bowls and mix in your choice of gel food coloring. Gel colors are ideal because they provide vibrant hues without thinning the frosting.
Transfer the frosting into piping bags fitted with small round or star tips. If you don’t have piping bags, you can use a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off.
Step 10: Decorate Your Cookies
Now comes the fun part! Pipe frosting onto the cookies in festive patterns—add snowflake designs, outline Christmas trees, or create adorable faces on gingerbread shapes. Sprinkle decorative candies, edible glitter, or nonpareils on top for extra holiday sparkle.
Encourage kids to join in and let their imaginations run wild. Decorating cookies is a wonderful way to bond and create cherished holiday memories.
Step 11: Let the Frosting Set
Allow the frosted cookies to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or until the frosting hardens. This step is essential if you plan to stack or package the cookies for gifting.
Enjoy and Share the Joy
Your Christmas sugar cookies are ready to be savored! Serve them at holiday parties, gift them in festive boxes, or enjoy them with a warm cup of cocoa.
Zulay's Expert Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies
- Chill the Dough: For sharper edges on your cookies, chill the rolled-out dough for 15-20 minutes before cutting out shapes.
- Test Bake: Bake a single cookie first to check the spread and adjust the baking time or temperature if necessary.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer freshness.
Let Us Know Your Thoughts!
Did you enjoy this sugar cookie recipe? What shapes and decorations did you try? Leave a comment below to share your experience or request more festive recipes.
Share the Love!
Know someone who would love this recipe? Share it with friends and family on social media! Tag us at @ZulayKitchen and use the hashtag #kitchenhappiness to show off your creations.
Let’s bake some memories and make this Christmas sweeter than ever!
