Description
Soft in the center, crisp on the edges, and decorated with a glossy easy icing, these Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for holiday trays, gifting, or family baking nights.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (or 1 tsp vanilla + ½ tsp almond extract)
3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
For the Easy Icing:
2 cups (240g) powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted
1 ½ tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or clear flavoring
2–3 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
Gel food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
Cream butter & sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg & flavoring: Mix in egg and vanilla (plus almond extract if using).
Combine dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add gradually to the wet mixture until a dough forms.
Chill the dough: Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Roll & cut: Roll chilled dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters into festive shapes.
Bake: Place cookies on parchment-lined sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely before decorating.
Make icing: Whisk powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and water until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
Color & decorate: Divide icing, tint with food coloring, and pipe onto cooled cookies. Add sprinkles before icing sets.
Dry: Let cookies sit uncovered for 4–6 hours until icing hardens.
Notes
For cleaner edges, keep dough well-chilled.
Icing too thin? Add more powdered sugar. Too thick? Add a drop of water.
Cookies keep 5–7 days in an airtight container or up to 3 months frozen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Christmas sugar cookies recipe with easy icing, holiday cookies, cut-out sugar cookies, easy cookie icing