Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect festive treat, combining a tender, buttery texture with a subtle hint of vanilla and almond extract. Decorated with colorful holiday sprinkles or sugar, they bring joy and sweetness to any holiday celebration. Optional smooth frosting adds an extra layer of festive appeal and flavor, making these cookies a delightful addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 tablespoons milk
- Holiday sprinkles or colored sugar, for decorating
Optional Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a tender cookie texture.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and milk until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine dry and wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Flatten and decorate: Gently flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass, then sprinkle with holiday-themed sprinkles or colored sugar for a festive look.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until their edges turn just lightly golden, indicating a soft center.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
- Prepare optional frosting: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add food coloring if desired to match your holiday theme.
- Frost and decorate: Once cookies are fully cooled, spread the optional frosting on top and decorate further with sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies to maintain their soft, tender texture.
- The almond extract enhances flavor with a festive bakery-style note but can be omitted if not preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft for several days.