These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are the quintessential holiday treat that everyone looks forward to. Soft, buttery, and topped with colorful sprinkles, they bring festive cheer to your table. Whether you’re baking with family or preparing treats for a holiday party, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. You can use your favorite sprinkles or icing to decorate them, making each batch unique. Plus, their melt-in-your-mouth texture ensures they’ll be a hit with both kids and adults alike. Perfect for Santa’s plate or as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies are guaranteed to spread holiday joy!
Full Recipe:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Holiday sprinkles for decoration
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and almond extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Flatten slightly and top with holiday sprinkles.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 145 kcal per cookie | Servings: 36 cookies
The Ultimate Guide to Baking the Best Soft Christmas Cookies
Christmas is a magical time of year filled with traditions, and baking cookies is one of the most cherished. Among the myriad of treats, soft Christmas cookies hold a special place in everyone’s heart. Their buttery texture, sweetness, and festive decorations make them the highlight of holiday gatherings. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of these delightful cookies, exploring their origins, variations, tips for achieving perfection, and how to make them the centerpiece of your holiday celebrations.
Why Soft Christmas Cookies Are a Holiday Favorite
Soft Christmas cookies are beloved for their tender texture and versatility. Unlike crispy cookies, their melt-in-your-mouth softness is comforting, reminiscent of childhood memories and cozy family gatherings. They’re the perfect treat to enjoy with a warm mug of cocoa or mulled wine. The appeal lies not only in their taste but also in the creative aspect of decorating them with icing, sprinkles, and other festive embellishments.
These cookies are also universally appealing. Children love them for their sweetness and vibrant decorations, while adults appreciate their nostalgic charm. Their soft texture makes them easy to eat and even easier to love, ensuring they’re a staple at holiday cookie exchanges, office parties, and Christmas dinners.
The History of Christmas Cookies
The tradition of baking cookies for Christmas dates back to medieval Europe when spiced biscuits became popular during the holiday season. Sugar, spices, and dried fruits were luxuries, often saved for special occasions like Christmas. These early cookies were influenced by a mix of European culinary traditions, with each country developing its unique take.
In America, the modern Christmas cookie as we know it began gaining popularity in the 19th century, with recipes featuring butter, sugar, and vanilla. Over time, decorating cookies with colored icing and sprinkles became a common tradition, elevating these simple treats into edible works of art.
Tips for Perfect Soft Christmas Cookies
Achieving the ideal softness in Christmas cookies requires a bit of science and technique. Here are some tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfect every time:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter, eggs, and other dairy ingredients mix better when they’re at room temperature, resulting in a smoother, more uniform dough.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overworking the dough can lead to dense cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Chill the Dough: Allowing the dough to rest in the fridge before baking helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much, keeping them soft and fluffy.
- Monitor Baking Time: Soft cookies require careful timing. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just set, even if the centers look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to cook as they cool.
- Store Properly: To maintain their softness, store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a damp paper towel to keep them moist.
Creative Ways to Decorate Your Cookies
One of the joys of making soft Christmas cookies is the opportunity to decorate them creatively. With a batch of plain cookies as your canvas, the possibilities are endless:
- Royal Icing Art: Use royal icing to create intricate designs, from snowflakes and Christmas trees to candy canes and festive patterns.
- Sprinkle Magic: Top your cookies with colorful holiday-themed sprinkles for an easy yet festive touch.
- Edible Glitter: Add a touch of sparkle with edible glitter or luster dust, making your cookies look as magical as they taste.
- Fondant Cutouts: Use fondant to create shapes and designs that can be placed atop your cookies for a professional-looking finish.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark, milk, or white chocolate and drizzle it over your cookies for a decadent twist.
Making Soft Christmas Cookies a Family Tradition
Baking soft Christmas cookies is more than just a culinary activity; it’s an opportunity to bond with loved ones. Invite your family, especially kids, to join in the fun of cutting shapes, baking, and decorating. This activity fosters creativity and brings everyone together in the spirit of the season.
Set aside a day each December to bake as a family, complete with holiday music and festive aprons. These cookies can also become part of your gift-giving tradition, packaged in beautiful tins or boxes and shared with neighbors, teachers, and friends.
Adapting Recipes for Dietary Preferences
One of the great things about soft Christmas cookies is how easily they can be adapted to suit different dietary needs. Whether you’re baking for someone with allergies or specific dietary preferences, there’s a version of these cookies for everyone:
- Gluten-Free: Substitute traditional flour with almond, rice, or gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Vegan: Replace butter with vegan alternatives and eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce.
- Low-Sugar: Use natural sweeteners like stevia or erythritol for a lower-sugar option.
- Keto-Friendly: Opt for almond or coconut flour and use sugar substitutes to create cookies that fit into a ketogenic diet.
Pairing Cookies with Other Holiday Treats
Soft Christmas cookies are a versatile treat that pairs beautifully with other holiday goodies. Create a dessert table featuring these cookies alongside fudge, gingerbread, and peppermint bark. For a cozy night in, serve them with a hot drink station offering options like hot cocoa, spiced cider, and eggnog.
They also make an excellent addition to a festive charcuterie board, surrounded by seasonal fruits, nuts, and chocolates. This combination of sweet and savory delights will impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your holiday gatherings.
The Joy of Gifting Homemade Cookies
Homemade cookies are one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give during the holidays. They’re personal, delicious, and show that you’ve put time and effort into creating something special. Package your soft Christmas cookies in decorative boxes, tins, or mason jars, and add a handwritten note or recipe card for an extra personal touch.
For a creative twist, consider creating a cookie-decorating kit as a gift. Include baked cookies, small containers of icing in various colors, and a selection of sprinkles. This interactive gift is sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Conclusion: A Sweet Tradition Worth Keeping
Soft Christmas cookies are more than just a holiday treat; they’re a tradition that brings joy, warmth, and creativity to the season. Whether you’re baking them for your family, decorating them with kids, or sharing them as gifts, these cookies are a symbol of love and togetherness.
The beauty of these cookies lies in their simplicity and adaptability, allowing everyone to create their own version of holiday magic. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the aroma of freshly baked cookies fill your home. This year, make soft Christmas cookies a part of your celebrations, and enjoy the sweetest moments of the season.