Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Get ready to celebrate the holidays with these simple and tasty Christmas sugar cookies! They’re just right for sharing with your friends and family, and they add that extra bit of festive cheer to any holiday get-together. Plus, with just a handful of easy ingredients, you’ll have these cookies ready to bake in no time at all!

Why you’ll love this easy sugar cookie recipe

• If classic sugar cookies warm your heart, then you’re going to adore this festive twist!
• They’re super simple to whip up, and the kids will have a blast helping out in the kitchen!
• Make them ahead or freeze them so you’re always ready when the craving hits.
• All the ingredients are 100% vegetarian, making these cookies a crowd-pleaser for everyone.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies

Whipping up these Christmas sugar cookies is a breeze when you follow my easy steps.

You’ll find a printable recipe card below with measurements in both US customary and metric, perfect for any kitchen.

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C.

For the sugar cookies

Start by whisking together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl until everything’s well blended, then set it aside for a moment.

Next, grab your stand mixer or handheld mixer and cream the unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture feels nice and creamy.

Then, add in the vanilla extract and egg, beating everything together until it’s fully combined and smooth.

Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.

Cream the butter and sugar until soft and fluffy.

Break in the egg and add vanilla, then beat until everything is blended together.

Slowly pour in the dry flour mixture a little at a time, mixing until your dough is smooth and fully combined.

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.

Now, dust your countertop with some flour, take the dough out of the bowl, and cut it in half. Shape each piece into a flat disc with your hands.

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin lightly dusted with flour. For crispier cookies, go for about 1/8 inch thick, or ¼ inch if you prefer them thicker and chewier. Keep sprinkling flour to stop the dough from sticking.

Pick your favorite cookie cutters and press them into the dough to cut out fun shapes. Then, carefully transfer each one to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper using a spatula.

Roll out the dough and cut your favorite shapes for a festive batch.

Place the cut cookies onto your prepared baking sheet, ready to bake.

Bake the cookies until the edges are just starting to turn a light golden color, about 10 minutes. To get them perfectly baked, turn the sheet halfway through baking.

Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

For the sugar frosting

In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and combined.

Whisk powdered sugar, corn syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until silky smooth.

Once smooth, divide the frosting into separate bowls for adding colors.

Mix in your favorite food colorings to create bright, festive shades.

If your frosting is too thick to pipe, simply add a little more milk just one tablespoon at a time until it’s thick but easy to squeeze out of your piping bag.

Divide the frosting and add gel food coloring or food coloring as you like for colorful decorating fun.

Using a piping bag, decorate your cookies with one color at a time for that perfect holiday look.

Keep going until all your cookies are beautifully iced and holiday-ready.

Fill your piping bag to get started and have fun decorating your Christmas sugar cookies just the way you want.

Remember to let the frosting set completely before stacking or enjoying them.

And there you go—delicious, festive Christmas sugar cookies to share and enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Recipe notes and expert tips

• Salted butter
  If all you have is salted butter, just cut the salt in the dough down to ¼ teaspoon so it doesn’t get too salty.
• Line it
  Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper or pop on a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup and perfect baking.
• Storage
  Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months to keep them fresh.

How to serve Christmas sugar cookies

These soft, buttery sugar cookies go perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee.

They’re also fantastic to bring along to a cookie swap or holiday party. You can even package them up in cute gift bags to surprise your family and friends.

How do I store sugar cookies?

You can keep these holiday sugar cookies fresh for up to a week if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Want to keep them longer? Freeze the baked cookies for up to three months and thaw when you’re ready to enjoy.

If you like, freeze the dough balls as well! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag—then bake fresh cookies whenever the mood strikes.