Festive Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Sweet memories of childhood holidays always flood back when I whip up these delightful christmas butter cookies that melt instantly on your tongue.

Grandma’s cherished recipe became a treasured tradition in our kitchen.

Buttery, delicate morsels create magical moments during festive gatherings.

Each carefully crafted cookie carries whispers of warmth and nostalgia.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise pure comfort in every bite.

Baking these treats connects generations through simple, heartwarming ingredients.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly these cookies come together and fill your home with irresistible aromas.

Dust these little delights with powdered sugar and watch smiles sparkle brighter than holiday lights.

Why Christmas Butter Cookies Are A Festive Favorite

• Create Festive Memories: These Christmas butter cookies transform baking into a heartwarming family tradition that brings everyone together in the kitchen.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward steps, bakers of all skill levels can successfully craft delightful holiday treats without stress.
• Customize with Creativity: Use different cookie cutters, sprinkle decorations, or add colorful icing to make each batch unique and personalized for holiday celebrations or gift-giving.
• Quick Holiday Delight: Prepare these cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or last-minute holiday gatherings.

Ingredients List For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides a smooth texture and delicious flavor to the cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, golden-brown cookie.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure.
• Vanilla: Brings a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• Flour: The main structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.

• Flour (for dusting): Prevents the dough from sticking to the surface while rolling and cutting.
• Cookie Cutters: Allows for creating festive Christmas-themed shapes for the cookies.

How To Bake Christmas Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly ready for your cookie adventure.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and sugar until they transform into a silky, smooth mixture that looks light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

Gently mix in vanilla extract and a fresh egg, blending until the ingredients are completely incorporated and create a dreamy, rich texture.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Baking powder
• Flour

Stir until the mixture comes together into a soft, pliable dough that’s ready for shaping.

Step 5: Prepare the Cookie Canvas

Dust your work surface with a light sprinkle of flour. Roll out the dough to an even thickness, then use festive cookie cutters to create magical holiday shapes.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the cut-out cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies rest and cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, unleash your creativity and decorate with icing, sprinkles, or any festive touches you desire.

Tips For Perfect Christmas Butter Cookies

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Dust cookie cutters with flour to prevent sticky dough from sticking and ensure clean-cut shapes.
• Store decorated cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to preserve their festive design.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond or peppermint to create unique holiday flavor variations.

Creative Twists For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Christmas Stars: Add semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough and cut into star shapes for a festive chocolate version.
• Peppermint Swirl Cookies: Mix crushed candy canes into the dough and create candy cane-shaped cookies with a red and white frosting drizzle.
• Almond Holiday Crescents: Incorporate ground almonds into the dough, shape into crescent moons, and dust with powdered sugar for a nutty winter treat.
• Citrus Snowflake Cookies: Add orange or lemon zest to the dough, cut into delicate snowflake shapes, and glaze with a light citrus icing.

Best Pairings With Christmas Butter Cookies

• Pair Christmas Butter Cookies with Festive Hot Beverages: Warm up with a mug of rich hot chocolate or creamy eggnog that complements the buttery, sweet cookie flavor.
• Create a Holiday Dessert Wine Experience: Select a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or Port, which enhances the cookie's delicate texture and provides a luxurious after-dinner treat.
• Match with Spiced Tea Blends: Enjoy these cookies alongside a warming chai tea or cinnamon-spiced black tea that brings out the vanilla undertones and adds a cozy holiday touch.
• Elevate with Flavor-Infused Coffee: Serve with a festive flavored coffee like gingerbread or hazelnut roast that harmonizes with the cookie's delicate sweetness and creates a delightful seasonal pairing.

How To Store Christmas Butter Cookies Properly

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
• Wrap unbaked or baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for 2-3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Keep decorated or undecorated cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, maintaining their original texture and flavor.

Common Questions About Christmas Butter Cookies

• What ingredients do I need for Christmas butter cookies?

You’ll need butter, sugar, vanilla extract, egg, baking powder, and all-purpose flour. Simple pantry staples make these classic holiday cookies easy to prepare.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain its freshness.

• How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.

Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 23-25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic sparkles in these Christmas butter cookies, melting with rich buttery goodness and delicate sweetness. Crisp edges and tender centers invite cookie lovers to savor each delightful bite during seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 egg

Flavoring and Leavening Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350F (175C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Combine softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes light and fluffy with a creamy consistency.
3. Incorporate vanilla extract and egg, blending thoroughly until the ingredients are fully integrated.
4. Gently fold in baking powder and flour, mixing until a smooth, uniform dough forms without overmixing.
5. Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll out the dough to an even thickness, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
6. Select festive cookie cutters and press into the rolled dough, creating precise holiday-themed shapes.
7. Transfer the delicate cookie shapes onto ungreased baking sheets, positioning them with slight separation to prevent merging.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as an indicator of doneness.
9. Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes to firm up.
10. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before applying decorative frosting or sprinkles.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creams perfectly with sugar.
• Dust cookie cutters with flour to prevent sticky dough from clinging and distorting delicate Christmas shapes.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 159 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg