Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

There’s something magical about Christmas cookies, especially the soft, buttery kind that seem to melt in your mouth! These soft Christmas cookies have just the right amount of vanilla sweetness with a delicate hint of almond, making them perfect for the festive season. Whether you’re looking to decorate them with your family or enjoy them as a simple treat, they are a crowd-pleaser. Let me walk you through every step, and I promise, by the time you’re done, these cookies will be your go-to holiday treat.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Cookies

I can’t wait for you to try these cookies because they offer everything you’d want in a holiday dessert! Here are a few reasons these cookies will become a tradition in your home:

• Incredible Taste: They’re rich, buttery, and just sweet enough, with a perfect balance of vanilla and almond flavor.
• Versatile: You can enjoy them plain or have fun decorating them with icing, sprinkles, or festive colors!
• Perfect Texture: Soft, tender, and just the right amount of chewy. They stay soft for days, making them ideal for gift boxes or holiday parties.
• Kid-Friendly: These are perfect for cookie decorating parties or family activities.

Now, let’s get to the heart of the recipe!

Ingredients for Soft Christmas Cookies

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour: The base for your soft, pillowy cookies.
• 1 tsp baking powder: Helps the cookies rise to soft perfection.
• ½ tsp baking soda: Adds to the light and fluffy texture.
• ½ tsp salt: Balances out the sweetness.
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Key for that rich, buttery flavor.
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies just right.
• 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
• ½ tsp almond extract: Optional, but it gives a lovely holiday touch.
• ½ cup sour cream: This is what makes the cookies so tender and soft.

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar: For that smooth, sweet glaze.
• 2-3 tbsp milk: Adjust to get the perfect consistency for spreading or piping.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract): Choose whichever flavor you prefer.
• Food coloring (optional): Get creative with your holiday colors.
• Sprinkles for decoration: Adds a festive, fun element.

Tools You’ll Need

Before we dive into the method, make sure you’ve got the right tools on hand:

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (your favorite holiday shapes)
• Parchment paper
• Wire cooling rack

Now, let’s bake some cookies!

How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This is essential for giving the cookies their perfect texture.

4. Add the Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined. The aroma at this point is absolutely divine!

5. Mix in Sour Cream

Slowly incorporate the sour cream into the mixture, blending until smooth. The sour cream adds moisture, keeping the cookies soft for days.

6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. The dough will be soft but not sticky—perfect for rolling out!

7. Roll Out and Cut the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to create festive shapes. Stars, trees, snowmen—the options are endless!

8. Bake

Carefully transfer the cookies onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges are barely golden. You want them soft, so avoid overbaking!

9. Cool Completely

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

Decorating the Soft Christmas Cookies

1. Prepare the Icing

In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth. You can add more milk if the icing is too thick or more powdered sugar if it’s too runny.

2. Add Some Color!

If you’re feeling festive, divide the icing into smaller bowls and mix in your favorite food coloring. Red, green, or blue make for classic Christmas hues.

3. Decorate Your Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, either spread the icing with a spatula or pipe it on for more detailed designs. Don’t forget to sprinkle your decorations while the icing is still wet so they stick beautifully!

4. Let the Icing Set

Allow the icing to fully set before storing the cookies in an airtight container. This ensures the decorations stay intact and the cookies don’t stick together.

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What to Serve with These Soft Christmas Cookies

These cookies are perfect on their own, but if you’re hosting a holiday gathering, they pair beautifully with:

• A hot cup of cocoa or spiced tea.
• Eggnog for a festive holiday flavor.
• A glass of cold milk for the classic cookie experience.

Storage Tips

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to make them ahead of time, you can freeze the cookies (without icing) for up to 3 months. Just defrost and decorate when you’re ready!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before rolling and baking. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling out.

Can I substitute the almond extract?

Absolutely! If almond isn’t your thing, just replace it with more vanilla extract, or try another extract like lemon or peppermint for a different twist.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Be sure to chill the dough if it becomes too soft to handle. Also, avoid overmixing the dough, as this can cause spreading.

Conclusion

There you have it—soft, tender, and delicious Christmas cookies that will be the star of your holiday baking. With just the right balance of flavor, texture, and festive fun, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite. I hope you enjoy making these cookies as much as I do. And if you do, don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!

Looking for more festive treats? Check out my Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake or the Christmas Crack Saltine Toffee for more holiday inspiration!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 180
• Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 2g

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