Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies with Frosting – Soft, Sweet Holiday Treats

Introduction to Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

As the holiday season approaches, nothing brings families together like the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies. Among the array of festive treats, classic Christmas sugar cookies stand out as a beloved favorite. With their soft texture and sweet flavor, these cookies are perfect for decorating and sharing with loved ones.

Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet — these sugar cookies hold their shape beautifully and are topped with festive homemade frosting for decorating fun with family and friends.

🕒 Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Chill Time: 1 hour

• Bake Time: 8–10 minutes per batch

• Decorating Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: About 2 hours

• Servings: 24–30 cookies

🧈 Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies

• 2¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a bakery-style flavor)

For the Frosting

• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)

• Food coloring (red, green, white, gold, or as desired)

• Holiday sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

🔪 Directions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar
   In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

3. Add Wet Ingredients
   Mix in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until fully combined.

4. Combine Wet and Dry
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until a smooth dough forms — it should be soft but not sticky.

5. Chill the Dough
   Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
   (Chilling prevents cookies from spreading.)

6. Preheat Oven
   Preheat to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

7. Roll and Cut
   Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
   Use holiday cookie cutters (stars, trees, snowflakes, etc.) to cut out shapes.

8. Bake
   Place on prepared baking sheets and bake 8–10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
   Let cool completely before frosting.

9. Make the Frosting
   In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
   Add more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for a thicker frosting.

10. Decorate and Enjoy
    Divide frosting into bowls, add food coloring, and frost cookies with a spatula or piping bag.
    Top with sprinkles or glitter for a festive finish.

💡 Pro Tips

• For extra flavor, add a touch of lemon or orange zest to the dough.

• Always let cookies cool completely before decorating to avoid melting frosting.

• Store in airtight containers for up to 1 week or freeze dough for later use.