Here’s a classic recipe for Christmas sugar cookies that are perfect for decorating and sharing during the holiday season:
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (or almond extract for a different flavor)
- 2 tablespoons milk
For Decorating:
- Royal icing (optional)
- Sprinkles, colored sugar, or edible glitter
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract (or almond extract if you prefer), and milk until well combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the dough: Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to firm up the dough.
- Roll out and cut cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters (trees, stars, snowflakes, etc.) to cut out shapes. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake, as you want them soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing and sprinkles as desired.
Royal Icing Recipe (Optional)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth.
- If the icing is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time. For decorating purposes, the icing should be slightly thick but pourable.
- Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring if desired. Transfer to piping bags for detailed decorating.
These sugar cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as gift