The classic sugar cookie holds a cherished place in Christmas dessert traditions. It is the perfect canvas for holiday imagination from festive shapes to elaborate icing designs. But too often traditional cut-out sugar cookies turn out flat hard and disappointingly crunchy—sacrificing softness for shape.
I spent years refining the recipe searching for the ULTIMATE balance. I wanted a cookie that held the precise shape of a snowflake or a gingerbread man but still offered a MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH softness that tasted of pure holiday bliss.
This Soft Christmas Cookies recipe is the definitive answer.
This recipe uses a higher ratio of fat and a touch of milk to create a dough that is pliable enough for cutting yet bakes into a remarkably tender cushion of sweetness. The secret hint of almond extract elevates the flavor making this the BEST holiday sugar cookie you will ever bake. They are ready in less than 30 minutes active time and are absolutely perfect for decorating with family.
This recipe is a must-pin for anyone searching Christmas Cookies Recipes because it delivers a perfect texture solution for the quintessential easy Christmas cookie. If you are looking for the BEST cookie for decorating and gifting this simple method is your guaranteed winner.
Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Cookies
This recipe is a massive holiday success because it resolves the classic baking conflict: achieving both perfect shape and perfect softness.
- The MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH Texture These cookies are incredibly soft chewy and buttery. The high fat content and careful technique ensure they stay tender for days. This MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH texture is a delightful surprise compared to the usual crunchy cutout cookies.
- BEST for Decorating This dough holds its shape well enough to create sharp edges yet bakes up with a light puff providing the perfect sturdy decorating surface for royal icing or simple glaze. It is the ideal easy Christmas cookie base for intricate designs and festive colors.
- Easy and Fun Holiday Project With simple steps and common ingredients baking these cookies is an enjoyable low-stress activity for bakers of all levels. It is the perfect fun holiday treat to make with kids who can focus entirely on the exciting stage of cutting and decorating.
- Enhanced Festive Flavor The recipe uses standard vanilla extract but adds a touch of almond extract. This subtle nutty note deepens the flavor profile giving the cookie that distinct warm Christmas dessert essence that many traditional sugar cookies possess.
Ingredients and Instructions The Tender Dough Base
The key to these Soft Christmas Cookies is the ratio of butter and sugar which ensures tenderness and the fast high-temperature bake.
| Component | Quantity | Notes |
| All-Purpose Flour | 3 3/4 cups | Spooned and leveled for accuracy |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon | Helps the cookies rise evenly |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | Balances the sweetness |
| Unsalted Butter | 1 cup | Softened to room temperature is mandatory |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 1/2 cups | |
| Large Eggs | 2 | Binds the dough |
| Vanilla Extract | 2 teaspoons | Adds warm flavor |
| Almond Extract | 1/2 teaspoon | Essential for the festive flavor |
| Milk | 4 tablespoons | Adds moisture for pliability |
For the Icing
- Powdered Sugar 2 cups
- Milk 4 tablespoons
- Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon
- Mix Dry Ingredients Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour baking powder and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar In a large mixing bowl cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). This creaming is essential for softness.
- Add Wet Ingredients Beat in the eggs vanilla extract and almond extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dough Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternating with the milk. Mix until a smooth dough forms. If the dough is sticky wrap it and chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll and Cut On a lightly floured surface roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to cut shapes.
- Bake Arrange the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for only 6-8 minutes until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color. Do not overbake.
- Cool and Decorate Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Whisk together the icing ingredients. Once cookies are fully cool spread or pipe the icing on top and decorate with sprinkles.
Step by Step Mastering the Tender Sugar Cookie
The challenge with these Soft Christmas Cookies is preventing them from spreading too thin in the oven while still achieving that tender interior—the balance between flour and fat is crucial. My early batches were sometimes too thin; I learned the quick chill is helpful.
Here is the detailed human-written guide to mastering this spectacular holiday sugar cookies recipe:
- Room Temperature is Key The butter must be properly softened to room temperature for the creaming process. This incorporates air into the dough which is essential for a soft chewy final product. Cold butter will result in a dense less tender cookie.
- High Heat Short Time Baking at a relatively high temperature (400°F) for a very short time (6-8 minutes) is the hack for achieving soft cut-out cookies. The high heat sets the edges quickly preventing excess spreading while the short duration keeps the centers tender and pale.
- The Quick Chill Trick If your dough feels sticky or difficult to roll after mixing wrap it and chill it for 30 minutes. This firms up the butter allowing the dough to be easily rolled to 1/4-inch thickness and ensuring the intricate shapes hold perfectly during baking.
- Measure Flour Precisely Because we are relying on minimal flour for a soft texture measuring correctly is vital. Use the spoon-and-level method to measure the flour. Too much flour is the number one cause of dry hard holiday sugar cookies.
- Almond Extract Secret The 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract is the secret flavor booster. It adds a subtle warm complexity that elevates this from a plain sugar cookie to a truly memorable Christmas dessert. Do not skip this ingredient.
Variations Serving and Storage Tips
This core Soft Christmas Cookies recipe is an easy Christmas cookie masterpiece perfect for any holiday situation.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Cinnamon Sugar Omit the icing. Brush the cut-out dough with milk and sprinkle heavily with cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Orange Zest Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the butter and sugar mixture for a BRIGHT citrus flavor that pairs well with the almond.
- Royal Icing Instead of the simple milk glaze use royal icing for more intricate pipework and a crisp durable finish perfect for cookie exchanges.
- Gluten-Free Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 11 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture remains surprisingly soft.
Serving Suggestions
These BEST holiday sugar cookies are perfect for:
- Cookie Decorating Party Set up a station with the cooled cookies colored icing and assorted sprinkles. They are the perfect base for decorating fun.
- Gifting Place decorated cookies in tins or layered boxes. The sturdy shape and soft interior make them ideal for gifting to neighbors and teachers.
- Classic Holiday Treat Serve alongside hot cocoa spiced cider or a simple glass of milk.
Storage and Recipe Notes
| Item | Details |
| Keep Fresh | Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days |
| Freezing Dough | Freeze wrapped dough logs or cut-out dough shapes for up to 3 months |
| Freezing Baked | Freeze undecorated baked cookies for up to 3 months thaw overnight before icing |
| Baking Temperature | 400°F for 6-8 minutes is crucial for softness |
Conclusion Your Most MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH Christmas Cookie Recipe
The Soft Christmas Cookies recipe is the perfect blend of simple technique and perfect festive flavor. It’s the BEST easy Christmas cookie solution that guarantees a MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH tender and irresistible holiday sugar cookies every time.
By embracing this simple recipe you ensure your Christmas dessert platter is filled with beautifully shaped tender treats perfect for decorating.
Pin this easy Christmas cookie today and enjoy the BEST MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH cookies
Soft Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. This step ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until a smooth, soft dough forms. If sticky, wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into festive shapes using cookie cutters.
- Arrange cookies on prepared sheets and bake for 6–8 minutes, until the edges are just golden. Do not overbake — cookies will stay soft as they cool.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for icing. Decorate cooled cookies and add sprinkles if desired.