Description
These soft Christmas cookies are buttery, tender, and perfectly festive. With a pillowy texture, warm vanilla flavor, and endless decorating options, they’re the perfect treat to brighten your holiday season.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
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1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
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½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs, at room temperature
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
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½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
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½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Optional Decorations
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Colored sugar, sprinkles, or frosting
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Cream butter & sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs & vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
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Whisk dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Combine wet & dry: Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
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Fold in sour cream: Gently mix in sour cream (or Greek yogurt) to lock in moisture. Dough will be slightly sticky.
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Scoop & bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
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Cool & decorate: Let cookies rest on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Decorate with icing, powdered sugar, or sprinkles once cooled.
Notes
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For richer flavor, chill dough overnight before baking.
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Don’t overbake—slightly underdone centers make cookies extra soft.
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Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, cranberries, or crushed candy canes (up to 1 cup).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+optional chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: best soft Christmas cookies, soft Christmas cookie recipe, holiday soft cookies, chewy Christmas cookies