If you’re dreaming of the perfect holiday treat that’s buttery, tender, and decorating-ready, this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are the ultimate festive delight, boasting a melt-in-your-mouth texture that comes from a simple but thoughtfully balanced list of ingredients. Whenever the holidays roll around, whipping up a batch of these charming, buttery cookies feels like a celebration in itself. They’re not just delicious on their own, but they also make the most beautiful, colorful canvas for sprinkles and icing, turning your kitchen into a festive haven of sweet joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create the magic of these Christmas Butter Cookies, you only need a handful of uncomplicated ingredients that work harmoniously to deliver classic rich flavor, gentle sweetness, and an unbeatable buttery crumb. Each ingredient plays an important role, whether it’s adding moisture, enhancing flavor, or providing the perfect structure for cutting shapes.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The star of the show, butter brings richness and tenderness to every bite.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create that light, fluffy dough texture.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together while adding a hint of moisture.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: A classic flavor booster that makes the cookies irresistibly aromatic.
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional): Adds a delicate nutty undertone, perfect for holiday baking.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Gives the dough structure and firmness needed for shaping cookies.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates the overall flavor.
- Holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or royal icing: For turning simple cookies into festive masterpieces.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by creaming the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, making your cookies wonderfully tender. Once that’s done, add the egg, vanilla extract, and if you choose, the almond extract. Mix everything until fully combined. Gradually add the flour and salt, stirring until a soft dough forms that’s easy to handle but not sticky.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Divide your dough into two equal portions and flatten each into a disc. Wrapping the discs in plastic wrap keeps them fresh and allows the dough to firm up in the fridge. Chilling for at least one hour helps the butter solidify, which not only makes the dough easier to roll out but also helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready right after you finish rolling. Lightly flour your surface, then roll out each dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using your favorite festive cookie cutters, cut out fun holiday shapes and transfer them carefully onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Taking this extra care keeps your shapes intact and ready for decoration.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges start to turn a light golden color. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye out to prevent overbaking. After baking, allow the cookies to cool for five minutes on the baking sheet to firm up before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent breakage and prepares them perfectly for decorating.
Step 5: Decorate Your Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Once cooled, it’s time to let your creativity shine. Whether using colorful sprinkles, dazzling colored sugar, or intricate royal icing designs, decorating is where the fun truly begins. Each decoration adds personality and cheer, making these cookies as festive to look at as they are delicious to eat.
How to Serve Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkles and colored sugar are classic, offering a bright, crunchy contrast to the buttery softness of the cookie. Royal icing not only adds sweetness but opens up a world of artistic possibilities, letting you pipe delicate patterns or festive messages that make your cookies stand out at any holiday gathering.
Side Dishes
These butter cookies pair beautifully with warm drinks like hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a creamy latte. Serving your Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe alongside a cozy beverage enhances the festive experience and makes for comforting holiday moments shared with friends and family.
Creative Ways to Present
Present your cookies stacked with colored parchment paper between layers or arrange them on a festive platter with fresh rosemary sprigs for a holiday touch. Gift-wrapping small batches in decorative tins or cellophane bags with ribbons turns your homemade treats into heartfelt presents everyone will cherish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any uneaten Christmas Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh and soft for up to one week. Placing parchment paper between layers prevents sticking and helps maintain their perfect texture.
Freezing
You can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. To freeze dough, shape it into discs, wrap tightly in plastic, and place in a freezer bag for up to three months. For baked cookies, arrange them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper layers to avoid sticking. Thaw before decorating or eating for best results.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This revives their fresh-from-the-oven tenderness without drying them out, giving you that cozy just-baked feeling all over again.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time for this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! The dough can be prepared up to three days in advance and stored in the refrigerator or frozen for longer storage. Just remember to bring the dough back to a chillable firmness before rolling and cutting.
Is almond extract necessary for the recipe?
Almond extract is optional but highly recommended for a subtle nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with vanilla and butter. If you prefer, you can omit it or replace it with another extract like lemon or peppermint for a seasonal twist.
What’s the best way to keep cookies crisp if I’m storing them?
For crisp cookies, store them with a slice of bread in the container. The bread absorbs excess moisture, helping the cookies stay crunchy longer. If you want them soft, just keep them in an airtight container without the bread.
Can I use this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe for cut-out shapes like stars and trees?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for cut-out cookies since the dough holds its shape well when chilled and rolled. It’s ideal for festive cookie cutters and decorating.
How long do the cookies stay fresh after baking?
Stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, these cookies remain fresh and delicious for about one week. For longer keeping, freezing is your best option.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about baking your own batch of Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe that fills your home with warmth and festivity. With its straightforward ingredient list and approachable steps, this recipe invites you to create treasured holiday memories while enjoying a classic, buttery cookie that never loses its charm. I encourage you to gather your loved ones, roll out that dough, and embark on this delightful baking adventure!
Print
Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Christmas Butter Cookies that are tender, buttery, and perfect for holiday decorating. These delightful cookies are easy to make, with a rich buttery flavor enhanced by vanilla and almond extracts. Ideal for holiday parties and cookie exchanges, they can be decorated with sprinkles, colored sugar, or royal icing for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Decorations
- Holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or royal icing for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth dough base.
- Add Flavorings and Egg: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, mixing thoroughly to combine all the wet ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms that holds together without being sticky.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disc, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up for easier rolling.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape the cookies, then carefully transfer them onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and leave them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once the cookies are fully cooled, decorate them with holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or use royal icing to add festive designs and colors.
Notes
- For a subtle almond flavor, adding almond extract is optional but recommended.
- Ensure the dough is well chilled before rolling to prevent sticking and to maintain cookie shape during baking.
- Do not overbake; the cookies should be just lightly golden at the edges to remain tender.
- Use parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and for easier cleanup.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh.
