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Xmas Cookies Recipe

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These classic Christmas sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and hold their shape perfectly for decorating. With a tender crumb and rich vanilla flavor, they’re the ultimate holiday cookie that stays soft for days. Perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or decorating with family!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Decorating (optional):

  • Royal icing
  • Food coloring gels
  • Sprinkles, sanding sugar, edible glitter
  • Fondant decorations

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a large bowl and hand mixer), beat the softened butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Add the granulated sugar and beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the room temperature egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute until fully incorporated and smooth. The mixture should look creamy and unified.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  5. Mix Dough: With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined and no flour streaks remain. The dough will be thick and slightly soft but not sticky. Do not overmix, or your cookies will be tough.
  6. Roll Out Dough: Divide the dough in half for easier handling. On a lightly floured surface (or between two sheets of parchment paper to minimize flour absorption), roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness for soft cookies, or 1/8-inch for crisper cookies. Keep the second portion covered while you work.
  7. Cut Shapes: Using your favorite holiday cookie cutters, cut out shapes and use a thin spatula or bench scraper to carefully transfer them to your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These cookies don’t spread much, but spacing allows for even heat circulation. Gather scraps, re-roll once, and cut more shapes.
  8. Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes, depending on size. The cookies are done when the edges are just barely starting to turn the lightest golden color—the centers will look slightly underdone, but they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan. Do NOT overbake, or they’ll be dry.
  9. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes (this is when they firm up), then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. Cookies must be completely cool, or icing will melt.
  10. Decorate: Once completely cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or your favorite cookie decorations. Allow decorated cookies to dry completely before stacking or storing (typically 4-6 hours for royal icing).

Notes

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: This is crucial for proper creaming and smooth dough. Set butter and eggs out 1-2 hours before baking.
  • Don’t Overwork the Dough: Re-rolling scraps more than once incorporates too much flour and creates tough cookies.
  • Watch Baking Time: Ovens vary significantly. Start checking at 8 minutes for small cookies. They should look barely done—they firm up as they cool.
  • Thickness Matters: 1/4-inch thickness creates soft, chewy cookies (my preference). 1/8-inch creates crisper, snappier cookies.
  • Chilling Option: While not required, you can chill dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen is very warm or the dough feels too soft to roll.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://focialy.com/xmas-cookies-recipe/