The Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe for Festive Joy

Crafting the perfect soft christmas cookies brings pure joy to holiday baking enthusiasts.

Sugar-dusted memories dance through kitchen spaces where warmth and sweetness collide.

Crisp winter afternoons invite unexpected culinary adventures that spark delightful connections.

Gentle mixing techniques create melt-in-your-mouth textures that surprise even experienced bakers.

Festive ingredients blend seamlessly, promising delectable moments of celebration.

Delicate and tender, these cookies embody the magical spirit of seasonal traditions.

Prepare to transform simple ingredients into memorable holiday magic.

Christmas Cookies That Bake Up Soft and Festive

• Effortless Holiday Baking: Super simple recipe that even beginner bakers can master with minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients.
• Quick Family Festive Activity: Perfect for creating delightful Christmas memories together, with kids enjoying decorating and everyone loving the tasty results.
• Versatile Cookie Potential: Easily customizable with different extracts, decorations, and shapes, making these cookies adaptable for various holiday gatherings and personal preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Soft, tender texture and sweet icing guarantee these cookies will be a hit at potlucks, family parties, and Christmas celebrations, satisfying both children and adults.

Soft Christmas Cookies Ingredient List

Main Ingredients:

Flour Mixture: .

• All Purpose Flour: Soft and fine base for cookie texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light cookie rise.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies brown evenly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.

• Butter: Creamy base for soft cookie texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps cookies brown.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic cookie flavor.
• Almond Extract: Adds depth of flavor.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Smooth and creamy icing.
• Sprinkles, Decorative Toppings: Optional festive touch for cookies.

Baking Soft Christmas Cookies for the Holidays

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F and grab some parchment paper to line your baking sheets. This will ensure your cookies slide off easily and prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Make sure everything is blended smoothly without any lumpy rebels.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture. This process should take about 2-3 minutes of enthusiastic mixing.

Step 4: Add Moisture and Flavor

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Blend until everything is harmoniously combined.

Step 5: Introduce Sour Cream

Slowly fold in sour cream, creating a silky smooth base that will make your cookies incredibly tender.

Step 6: Merge Wet and Dry Worlds

Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until a soft, pillowy dough emerges.

Step 7: Shape the Cookie Magic

Dust your workspace with flour and roll out the dough to a ¼ inch thickness. Grab your favorite holiday cookie cutters and start creating festive shapes.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets and slide them into the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden color.

Step 9: Cool Down

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 10: Create Irresistible Icing

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla or almond extract

Adjust milk quantity to achieve your desired consistency.

Step 11: Decorate with Joy

Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe icing over them. Sprinkle with festive decorations and let the icing set.

Cookie Tips for Soft Christmas Holiday Favorites

• Prevent Tough Cookies: Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies soft and tender, as excess mixing can develop gluten and make them dense.
• Measure Flour Precisely: Use the spoon-and-level method when measuring flour to prevent adding too much, which can result in dry, crumbly cookies.
• Control Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperature, as even slight variations can impact cookie texture and browning.
• Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent them from drying out quickly.
• Experiment with Extract Flavors: Try different extract combinations like peppermint or orange to create unique holiday cookie variations that suit your taste preferences.

Keep Soft Christmas Cookies Perfectly Stored

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Wrap unbaked or baked undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Place completely cooled and decorated cookies in single layers between wax paper inside sealed containers. Freeze up to 1 month. Defrost at room temperature for best texture.
• Warm refrigerated cookies briefly in microwave for 5-10 seconds or place in 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.

Soft Christmas Cookies Serving Ideas

• Sip Warm Spiced Chai Latte: Creamy, fragrant chai complements the soft cookie texture, with cardamom and cinnamon notes enhancing the cookie's sweet profile.
• Enjoy Vanilla Mulled Wine: Rich, warm wine with vanilla undertones creates a cozy holiday mood, balancing the cookie's delicate sweetness and buttery flavor.
• Indulge Hot Chocolate Blend: Creamy, rich chocolate drink with marshmallows perfectly matches the cookie's soft texture and subtle almond extract hint.
• Share Peppermint Mocha: Bold espresso with cool peppermint and chocolate adds festive contrast to the delicate, sweet Christmas cookie.

Holiday Brownie Cookie Combos

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Dairy-Free Christmas Treats: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use coconut cream instead of sour cream to maintain moisture.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and reduce overall sugar content while keeping the festive flavor.
• Vegan Cookie Option: Use flax egg as an egg replacement, plant-based butter alternative, and dairy-free milk in the icing for a completely animal-product-free version.

FAQs

• Why are these Christmas cookies so soft?

The secret is sour cream, which adds moisture and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that keeps cookies soft even after cooling.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before rolling and cutting. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the cut-out cookies for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator before baking. This helps them maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

• What type of flour works best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour is ideal for this recipe. It provides the right structure and texture for soft, tender Christmas cookies that hold their shape well.

Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Cookies blend classic holiday cheer with delightful sweetness, creating a mouthwatering treat perfect for seasonal celebrations. Crisp edges, rich buttery flavor, and delicate sprinkles invite you to savor the warmth of homemade holiday magic.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare workspace by aligning parchment-lined baking trays and preheating oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring uniform texture.
3. Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter and sugar until achieving a cloud-like, pale consistency with increased volume.
4. Incorporate egg and extracts into butter mixture, blending thoroughly until smooth and integrated.
5. Gently fold sour cream into the wet ingredients, creating a silky, unified base.
6. Gradually introduce dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender dough texture.
7. Dust work surface with flour and roll dough to an even ¼-inch thickness, using holiday-themed cutters to create festive shapes.
8. Carefully transfer delicate cookie shapes onto prepared baking sheets, maintaining consistent spacing.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges indicating perfect doneness.
10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for brief cooling period before transferring to wire rack for complete cooling.
11. Craft smooth icing by whisking powdered sugar with milk and extract, adjusting liquid for ideal drizzling or piping consistency.
12. Embellish cooled cookies with icing, adding decorative sprinkles or artistic touches before allowing icing to solidify completely.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes.
• For gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to ensure similar texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter and egg to create smoother, more consistent cookie dough.
• Avoid overbaking by removing cookies when edges are just barely golden to maintain soft, tender texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg