Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

These soft and tender Christmas cookies are perfect for the holiday season, offering a festive canvas for creative decorations!

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 4 tablespoons milk

Icing

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring and sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. Preheat oven: Set to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add wet ingredients: Beat in eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well incorporated.
  5. Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, until a soft dough forms. If the dough is sticky, refrigerate for 30 minutes for easier handling.

2. Shape and Bake the Cookies

  1. Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
  2. Cut into shapes: Use festive cookie cutters to create your desired shapes. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  3. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  4. Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Prepare and Apply the Icing

  1. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
  2. Decorate: Spread or pipe the icing onto the cooled cookies. Sprinkle with festive toppings while the icing is still wet.
  3. Set: Let the icing harden for 1-2 hours before storing or serving.

Tips for Success

  • Chill the dough: If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the dough between batches to keep it firm.
  • Decorating fun: Set up a decorating station with different colored icings, sprinkles, and candies for a family-friendly activity.
  • Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Yield: About 48 cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time (optional): 30 minutes
Bake Time: 6-8 minutes per batch

Enjoy crafting these delightful cookies and spreading holiday cheer!

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