If you are on the lookout for that perfect festive treat that melts in your mouth and fills your kitchen with the cozy spirit of the holidays, you’ve got to try this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the ideal balance between a tender, fluffy crumb and just enough sweetness to make every bite a celebration. With classic holiday colors peeking through colorful sprinkles or a festive frosting, these soft Christmas cookies are guaranteed to become your go-to recipe whenever the season calls for something both comforting and delightfully cheerful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the foundation of any remarkable cookie bake. These simple staples come together effortlessly to create a dough that’s soft, flavorful, and beautifully textured, giving you the classic holiday cookie experience you’ve been dreaming of.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure and the perfect tender crumb.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just the right amount for softness.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Adds a gentle lift and lightness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Creates that rich, buttery softness everyone loves.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens perfectly without overpowering.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough and contributes to softness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warm, inviting aroma and flavor.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional): A subtle nutty note that elevates the holiday feel.
- 3 tablespoons milk: Keeps the dough moist and easy to work with.
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar (optional): For that festive holiday sparkle.
- Optional frosting: Made with 1 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, and food coloring for extra holiday cheer.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This step sets you up for success, ensuring your cookies bake evenly without sticking or burning.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This blend of leavening agents might sound basic, but it’s the key to getting those cookies perfectly soft and lightly puffed, without any unwanted density.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process isn’t just about mixing — it introduces air that helps your cookies rise gently and stay soft.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. Then mix in the milk, which adds moisture and promotes that melt-in-your-mouth texture every bite of these soft Christmas cookies boasts.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing is the enemy here, so stopping as soon as everything comes together keeps the dough tender and prevents tough cookies.
Step 6: Shape and Decorate
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined sheets. Flatten each ball slightly using the bottom of a glass or your hand, and sprinkle with festive red and green sugar or sprinkles to get that joyful holiday look.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, watching carefully until the edges are set but not browned. This precise timing preserves the signature softness of the cookies.
Step 8: Cool and Frost (Optional)
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cool, feel free to frost with your colorful icing for an extra festive touch that’s sure to impress.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like colored sugar or sprinkles before baking brings a little sparkle and holiday spirit to your cookies. After baking, a drizzle of colorful frosting or a sprinkle of edible glitter can add whimsy and just the right amount of sweetness.
Side Dishes
These soft Christmas cookies pair beautifully with a cup of rich hot cocoa, a classic eggnog, or even a simple glass of cold milk. The warm softness of the cookies complements cozy drinks, making for a perfect holiday afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your soft Christmas cookies recipe on a festive platter with pine branches or cinnamon sticks for an extra holiday aroma and visual appeal. Gift them in clear boxes or tins wrapped with ribbons to share the joy with friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your soft Christmas cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully soft for up to five days, meaning you can bake ahead and still enjoy that fresh-baked feel later.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking for up to one month. Simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container with parchment layers between the cookies to avoid sticking.
Reheating
To refresh your soft Christmas cookies after storage or freezing, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This brief heat restores their softness and freshly baked charm without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I skip the almond extract?
Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and adds a subtle nutty note, but your cookies will still taste incredible without it.
How can I make the cookies softer?
Don’t overbake. Pull the cookies out when the edges are just set and not browned. Also, creaming the butter and sugar well helps trap air, keeping them tender and light.
Can this recipe be gluten-free?
Not as is, since it relies on all-purpose flour. However, you could try a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, though texture may vary slightly.
Why is it important to chill the dough?
Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, helping maintain a soft and thick texture.
What frosting works best with these cookies?
A simple powdered sugar glaze with a touch of milk and your favorite food coloring complements these cookies without overpowering their delicate flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so heartwarming about sharing a batch of soft, colorful, and festive cookies with loved ones, and this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe makes it delightfully easy to do just that. Once you bake these treats, you’ll see why they’re perfect for every holiday gathering or cozy night in. Go ahead, make a batch, and fill your home with the joyful spirit of the season one soft cookie at a time!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring a tender, buttery texture and festive decorations. Perfectly sweetened and lightly flavored with vanilla and optional almond extract, these cookies bake up soft and chewy, ideal for gifting, holiday cookie swaps, or enjoying with a cup of tea or cocoa.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 tablespoons milk
Decorations and Frosting (Optional)
- Red and green sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating
- Frosting: 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, which incorporates air for a tender crumb.
- Add Wet Flavorings: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, ensuring all ingredients are fully combined for balanced flavor.
- Incorporate Milk: Mix in the milk to the wet ingredients for moisture and a smoother dough consistency.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until incorporated to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls, then place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow spreading.
- Flatten and Decorate: Slightly flatten each dough ball using the bottom of a glass or your hand, then add red and green sprinkles or colored sugar for a festive touch, if desired.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned, to ensure a soft texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Frosting and Decoration: If desired, prepare frosting by mixing powdered sugar with milk and food coloring. Once cookies are fully cooled, frost and add additional festive sprinkles.
Notes
- To keep cookies extra soft, avoid overbaking and remove from the oven as soon as edges are set.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps prevent excessive spreading.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- These cookies are ideal for holiday gifting or cookie swaps due to their festive appearance and soft texture.
