Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft Christmas Cookies are a timeless holiday treat that are simple to make, delicious, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. These cookies boast a light, tender texture and a subtle sweetness that makes them perfect for decorating with festive icing, sprinkles, or just enjoying plain. With a few basic ingredients, this recipe brings the warmth of homemade cookies to your kitchen, filling your home with the delightful aroma of freshly baked treats.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, looking for a fun activity to do with kids, or preparing treats for your holiday cookie exchange, these soft Christmas cookies are a must-try. Their easy preparation and customizable decorations make them an ideal choice for spreading holiday cheer. Once you taste one, you’ll want to make these cookies a part of your yearly holiday tradition.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfectly Soft Texture

These cookies have a light and soft texture that melts in your mouth, making them the ideal choice for cookie lovers of all ages.

2. Simple Ingredients

With just a handful of common baking ingredients, you can make these cookies without any special trips to the store.

3. Customizable Decorations

These cookies are the perfect canvas for your creativity, allowing you to decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or candies to match your holiday theme.

4. Fun to Make with Kids

Rolling out the dough, using cookie cutters, and decorating the cookies makes for a fun and interactive holiday activity for the whole family.

5. Perfect for Gift Giving

These cookies are easy to package in cute tins or boxes for a thoughtful homemade gift that’s sure to be appreciated by loved ones.

Ingredients

• Butter (softened)
• White sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Variations

• Add-ins: Stir in mini chocolate chips, colored sprinkles, or chopped nuts to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
• Icing: Use royal icing or buttercream frosting to decorate your cookies for a festive touch. Add food coloring to match your holiday theme.
• Flavored Sugar: Roll the cookie dough in colored sugar before baking for a sparkling, sweet finish.
• Gluten-Free: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the creamed butter mixture until well incorporated.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or overnight for best results. Chilling helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.

Step 5: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready when the cookies are shaped and ready for baking.

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This thickness will give the cookies the perfect soft texture.

Step 7: Cut Into Shapes

Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the dough into fun shapes. Whether it’s classic stars, hearts, or festive Christmas trees, the possibilities are endless!

Step 8: Arrange on Baking Sheets

Place the cut-out cookies about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. This ensures that they have room to spread while baking.

Step 9: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to over-bake them as they should remain soft.

Step 10: Cool Before Decorating

Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. This will prevent the icing from melting and ensures that your designs stay intact.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling the dough! It helps maintain the shape of the cookies and ensures a soft, tender texture.
• Don’t Over-Bake: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking. They should remain pale and soft, so don’t wait for them to turn golden brown before removing them from the oven.
• Flour Your Rolling Pin: To avoid the dough from sticking, lightly flour your rolling pin and work surface.
• Customize with Sprinkles: After baking, you can decorate with colored sugar, sprinkles, or icing to give your cookies a festive look.

How to Serve

These Soft Christmas Cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet treat alongside a cup of hot cocoa. They also make great homemade gifts when packaged in decorative tins or boxes. Serve them as a fun family dessert or enjoy them as a mid-day snack during the holidays.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They will stay soft and fresh, perfect for snacking on throughout the holidays.

Freezing

If you want to make the cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough before baking. Roll the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and follow the baking instructions.

Reheating

To reheat leftover cookies, simply place them in a warm oven at 200°F (93°C) for a few minutes to soften them again.

FAQs

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Yes, margarine can be substituted for butter, but the cookies may not be as rich or soft.

2. How do I keep the cookies soft?

Chill the dough before baking and don’t over-bake the cookies. Removing them from the oven while they are still soft will help keep them tender.

3. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage.

4. How do I decorate these cookies?

Use icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar to decorate the cookies after they’ve cooled. Royal icing or buttercream frosting works best for detailed decorations.

5. Can I use a different flavor of extract?

Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract with almond, peppermint, or any other flavor extract to create different variations of these cookies.

6. Can I freeze baked cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies! Place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

7. How thick should I roll the dough?

Rolling the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick ensures the cookies are soft and tender once baked.

8. Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before rolling and baking.

9. How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough before baking prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps them retain their shape.

10. Can I use cookie cutters for these cookies?

Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for using cookie cutters to create fun shapes for the holidays.

Conclusion

Soft Christmas Cookies are an essential holiday treat that everyone will enjoy. Their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and customizable decorations make them a crowd-pleasing addition to any holiday celebration. Whether you’re baking them for a festive gathering, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying them with your family, these cookies are sure to spread holiday cheer with every bite.

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