Angelic Holiday Treats: Heavenly Christmas Cookies Recipe

The aroma of freshly baked Christmas cookies wafting through the heavenly Christmas cookies recipe kitchen instantly transports you to childhood memories of festive cheer.

Delicate and buttery, these treats sparkle with a magic that captures the spirit of the holiday season.

Sweet sugar crystals dance across golden-brown edges, promising a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Every baker knows the joy of creating something truly special during Christmas.

Generations of families have shared this cherished recipe, passing down love in each carefully crafted morsel.

Rich with tradition and warmth, these cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a celebration of connection and joy.

Gather your ingredients and let the baking begin.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredients That Make Soft Christmas Cookies So Loved

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and deep flavor to cookies, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, tender cookie structure with delightful caramelization.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tangy softness, ensuring cookies remain deliciously tender and light.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to cookie's soft, cake-like consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic sweetness, select pure vanilla for most authentic flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's foundational structure, sift to remove lumps and ensure smooth texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and achieve perfect fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweetness.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with silky finish.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps achieve ideal frosting consistency.
• Food Coloring: Allows creative, festive color customization for holiday cheer.
• Sprinkles: Provides fun, decorative touch and delightful textural contrast.

Tools for Baking Soft Christmas Cookies That Stay Chewy

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet ingredients.
• Electric mixer: Helps create fluffy butter-sugar mixture and smooth frosting.
• Cookie scoop: Creates uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
• Baking sheets: Perfect for evenly spreading and baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Separate mixing bowl: Used for combining dry ingredients.
• Glass bottom: Helps flatten cookie dough balls gently.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping and mixing ingredients.
• Whisk: Blends dry ingredients smoothly.

How to Mix and Bake Soft Christmas Cookies

• Whip Up the Base

Grab your mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until it becomes light and airy. Crack in an egg, splash some vanilla, and stir in sour cream until everything looks smooth and creamy.

• Merge Dry Elements

In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into your butter mixture, stirring gently until everything just comes together.

• Craft Cookie Shapes

Scoop out rounded portions of dough onto lined baking sheets. Use the bottom of a glass to gently press each mound, creating soft, even circles.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide your cookie trays into a preheated oven. Watch carefully for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden color. Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Createal Frosting

Whip butter until fluffy, then gradually blend in powdered sugar and cream. Add a touch of vanilla and food coloring to create your dream frosting. Generously spread over completely cooled cookies and sprinkle with festive decorations.

Decoration Tips for Soft Christmas Cookies with Frosting

• Cookie Pro Tips
• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure ultra-smooth, creamy dough that blends perfectly.
• Never overbake these cookies – remove them from the oven when edges are just slightly golden to maintain that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Chill frosting for 10-15 minutes before decorating to help it set faster and create cleaner, more precise designs.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies friendly for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Cookie dough can be prepared and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance or frozen for up to 4 weeks, perfect for stress-free holiday baking.

Serve Soft Christmas Cookies with Holiday Warmth

• Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange these soft Christmas cookies on a festive ceramic plate with pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks for a gorgeous seasonal display that instantly elevates your cookie presentation.
• Festive Gift Packaging: Stack cooled cookies between parchment paper layers in clear cellophane bags, tie with red or green ribbons, and create delightful homemade gift packages for neighbors, teachers, or family members.
• Beverage Pairing: Serve these tender cookies alongside warm hot chocolate, creamy eggnog, or classic milk for a cozy winter treat that complements the sweet, buttery texture of the cookies perfectly.
• Cookie Decorating Party: Invite friends or kids to help frost and sprinkle the cookies, turning the baking process into a fun, interactive holiday activity that creates memorable moments and delicious results.

Tips to Keep Soft Christmas Cookies Fresh

• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. Layer between wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain softness.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Make cookie dough ahead and refrigerate for 24 hours. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes rolling easier. Wrap dough in plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Store frosted cookies in a single layer to avoid smudging. Use a container with a tight lid and place wax paper between layers for perfect presentation.

FAQs

• Are these cookies soft and chewy?

Yes, these Christmas cookies are specifically designed to be soft and tender. The addition of sour cream in the dough helps create a moist, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Just let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking.

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

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter firm up and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring your cookies maintain their shape and thickness.

• What type of flour works best for this recipe?

All-purpose flour is ideal for these Christmas cookies. It provides the perfect balance of structure and softness, creating a delightful texture that’s not too dense or too light.

Heavenly Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Danish butter cookies offer a delightful journey through Nordic holiday traditions, embodying festive cheer in each delicate bite. Crisp edges and rich buttery flavor invite home bakers to celebrate Christmas with simple, elegant sweetness.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (720 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (180 ml) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 3 cups (720 ml) powdered sugar
• 23 tablespoons (359 ml) heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract (for frosting)
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
• Food coloring (red, green, or any preferred colors)
• Holiday sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Mixing Base: Whip softened butter and sugar until creamy and light. Blend in egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream until mixture achieves smooth, consistent texture.
2. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring carefully to maintain delicate consistency and prevent overmixing.
3. Shaping and Preparation: Scoop uniform dough portions onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Softly flatten each cookie using bottom of a glass, creating gentle circular impressions. Ensure consistent spacing between cookies.
4. Baking Process: Slide trays into oven preheated to 350°F. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges indicating perfect doneness. Remove from oven and briefly rest on baking sheet before transferring to cooling rack.
5. Frosting Finale: Whip butter until exceptionally fluffy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and cream, creating silky smooth frosting. Add vanilla extract and optional food coloring for festive appearance. Once cookies are completely cooled, spread frosting evenly and decorate with sprinkles.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture, ensuring it’s soft but not melted.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough cookies; fold ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender crumb.
• Uniform Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop for consistent sizing, which helps ensure even baking and professional-looking results.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain the frosting’s perfect consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg