There’s nothing quite like the nostalgic magic of Soft Christmas Cookies, especially when their sweet vanilla aroma fills your kitchen and hints at the joy of the holiday season. These cookies are the kind you remember from childhood gatherings, impossibly tender with a pillowy crumb and dreamy layer of festive frosting crowned by colorful sprinkles. Whether you enjoy them with a mug of cocoa while trimming the tree or bring them to share at a holiday party, these Soft Christmas Cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your family’s winter traditions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’re just a handful of pantry staples and a couple of festive touches away from baking the Soft Christmas Cookies of your dreams. Each ingredient plays its part—creating a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that tastes as delightful as it looks. Don’t skip the optional almond extract if you have it; it adds that special bakery-style flavor that takes these cookies over the top!
- Unsalted butter (3/4 cup, softened): Gives the cookies their rich, tender texture and helps the dough cream beautifully with sugar for a light crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough and creates that classic holiday cookie chew.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the dough together and give your Soft Christmas Cookies structure and loft.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth—pure comfort in every bite.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Infuses a subtle, nutty essence reminiscent of bakery treats (optional, but highly recommended!).
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The base that shapes these cookies into their perfect round domes.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise, keeping them beautifully puffed and soft.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the sour cream to tenderize and create a light texture.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies those classic flavors.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): The secret ingredient for unbelievably soft, plush cookies with the right amount of moisture.
- For the Frosting:
- Unsalted butter (1/4 cup, softened): Creates a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a luscious, smooth spread.
- Milk (2–3 tablespoons): Loosens the frosting to a perfect, spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Boosts the flavor in every frosted swirl.
- Food coloring (optional): Adds a festive pop of color—think pale pink, green, or gold for holiday cheer.
- Holiday sprinkles: The finishing touch that makes every cookie sparkle and delight kids and adults alike!
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this not only ensures even baking and easy release, but also makes cleanup a breeze. While the oven heats, let your butter reach room temperature for the softest cookie batter.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale in color. This step is key for creating that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture you want in your Soft Christmas Cookies. Take a moment to scrape down the sides to incorporate every bit of butter and sugar.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is well blended before adding the next. Now drizzle in the vanilla extract and, if you’re going for maximum holiday flavor, the optional almond extract. This simple step transforms your dough into something special and memorable.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures every bite of your Soft Christmas Cookies is evenly risen, tender, and balanced. Don’t skip this, or you may find pockets of baking powder hiding in your dough!
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, alternating with the sour cream. Mix gently just until a soft, sticky dough forms—no need to overwork it. The sour cream is your secret weapon here, as it guarantees the cookies turn out extra fluffy and moist.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart since they’ll spread just a bit. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are barely golden and the centers are set. For extra-thick, bakery-style Soft Christmas Cookies, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping and baking.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool all the way through. This short cooling time helps the centers stay soft and makes frosting a breeze.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
While the cookies cool, beat the softened butter for the frosting until creamy, then blend in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and luscious. If you’re feeling festive, tint your frosting with food coloring! Spread the frosting over cooled cookies and shower with holiday sprinkles for the ultimate festive finish.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies
Garnishes
The crowning jewel of these cookies is unquestionably the frosting and sprinkles! But you can get creative—try edible glitter for sparkle or crushed peppermint candies for a minty twist. A drizzle of melted chocolate is another fun way to customize these Soft Christmas Cookies and really make them your own.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside mugs of hot chocolate, warm apple cider, or a frothy cappuccino for a comforting holiday pairing. For a full dessert platter, mix them with chocolate-dipped strawberries, candied nuts, or other festive treats—the Soft Christmas Cookies will always steal the show!
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap them up in cellophane bags with ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift, add them to a tiered cookie display at your holiday party, or slip a few onto a neighbor’s doorstep as a sweet surprise. You can even invite little hands to help decorate, turning your kitchen into a merry workshop for holiday memories.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Soft Christmas Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you’ve frosted them, lay sheets of parchment paper between layers to keep the icing picture-perfect. They stay delightfully soft—no sad, stale cookies here!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully, whether you frost them first or not. Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then stack them in a freezer-safe container with parchment or wax paper between layers. Frozen, they’ll keep their flavor and softness for up to three months—perfect for planning ahead during a busy holiday season!
Reheating
To enjoy that “freshly baked” magic, simply let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you’d like them warm, pop unfrosted cookies into a 300°F oven for three to five minutes. Frosted cookies thaw beautifully on their own, keeping their luscious texture intact.
FAQs
Why do you use sour cream in Soft Christmas Cookies?
Sour cream is the secret to these cookies’ pillowy softness—it adds just the right dose of moisture and tang, ensuring each bite stays tender for days. You won’t taste the sour cream, but you’ll notice the incredible texture!
Can I make these cookies without almond extract?
Absolutely! The almond extract is optional, but it does lend a delightful, almost nostalgic bakery flavor to your Soft Christmas Cookies. If you prefer, you can simply use extra vanilla extract or try a splash of lemon extract for a subtle twist.
How do I get perfectly soft, bakery-style cookies?
The trick is to avoid overbaking—even a minute or two too long can dry out your Soft Christmas Cookies. Watch for just-barely golden edges and set centers, and consider chilling the dough for thicker, puffier results.
What’s the best way to make colorful frosting?
A few drops of gel food coloring will give you vibrant, festive hues without watering down your frosting. Divide the frosting into bowls and create an array of holiday colors—pastels, jewel tones, or even classic white with a dusting of sprinkles!
Can I decorate these cookies with kids?
Definitely! These Soft Christmas Cookies are perfect for little hands. Let kids spread on the frosting and scatter on sprinkles, crushed peppermints, or edible stars. It’s a wonderful way to start a new family tradition and make joyful memories together.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a comforting, festive treat that melts in your mouth and brings people together, these Soft Christmas Cookies are just the ticket. Their tender crumb, creamy frosting, and colorful sprinkles check every holiday box, whether you’re a baking newbie or a seasoned cookie pro. Give them a try this season—you’ll love sharing them as much as you love sneaking a couple straight from the cooling rack!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are a holiday favorite, perfect for festive gatherings or as a sweet treat to enjoy at home. The combination of butter, sugar, and sour cream creates a tender cookie that pairs beautifully with a creamy vanilla frosting and colorful sprinkles.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Frosting:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- food coloring (optional)
- holiday sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the cookie dough: Cream together butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, alternating with sour cream.
- Bake the cookies: Drop dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 9–11 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the frosting: Beat butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until creamy. Add food coloring if desired.
- Frost the cookies: Frost cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- Chill dough for thicker cookies
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Cookies freeze well
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
