There’s nothing quite like the smell of buttery cookies baking in the oven during the holidays, and my christmas butter cookies recipe has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. My grandmother used to let me help roll out the dough when I was barely tall enough to see over the counter, and now I get to share that same magic with my kids. These cookies—crisp on the edges, tender in the center, with that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture—are my absolute favorite part of festive baking. After years of tweaking (and maybe a few burnt batches!), I’ve landed on a foolproof version that’s simple enough for beginners but special enough to impress your holiday guests. The best part? You can decorate them however you like—with colorful sprinkles, delicate royal icing, or just a dusting of powdered snow-like sugar. One bite will have you hooked, I promise!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Oh, where do I even start? These butter cookies are the little stars of every holiday gathering I’ve ever hosted—and trust me, there’s a reason they disappear faster than wrapping paper on Christmas morning! Here’s why this recipe is my forever go-to:
- Buttery bliss: That rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture comes from using real butter (none of that margarine nonsense!), and just the right amount of sugar for sweetness without being cloying.
- Foolproof fun: No fancy techniques here—just simple mixing and rolling. Even my 8-year-old niece can make these without turning the kitchen into a disaster zone!
- Your canvas: Leave them plain for classic elegance, go wild with sprinkles, or pipe intricate designs—they’re like edible holiday ornaments.
- Memory maker: The dough holds shapes beautifully if you’re using cookie cutters (reindeer! snowflakes!), making them perfect for decorating parties with kids.
- Universal cheer: I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t light up when I bring these to cookie swaps. They’re like edible holiday magic!
Ingredients for Christmas Butter Cookies
Grab your favorite mixing bowl—we’re keeping things simple with just 7 pantry staples! Every ingredient plays a special role in creating that perfect crisp-yet-tender texture we love:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – Not melted! Leave it out for 30-60 minutes until it gives slightly when pressed (about 65°F). This makes creaming effortless.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – The perfect amount for sweetness that doesn’t overpower the butter’s richness.
- 1 large egg – Room temperature blends better. If you forgot to take it out early, just place it in warm water for 5 minutes.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Pure extract makes all the difference here. That artificial stuff? Nah.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off—no packing! This prevents dense cookies.
- ½ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder – Our secret lift agent for cookies that hold their shape but stay tender.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Ran out of something? No panic! Here are my tested swaps:
- Salted butter? Use it but skip the added salt—your cookies will still shine.
- Gluten-free? A 1:1 GF flour blend works beautifully (I like Bob’s Red Mill).
- Vanilla alternatives: Try almond extract (½ tsp) or even orange zest for a citrus twist!
- Egg-free? A flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) does the job.
See? Holiday baking should be joyful, not stressful. Now let’s make some magic!
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies
Alright, let’s get baking! I’ve made these cookies so many times I could probably do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step like I’m right there with you in the kitchen. First things first—clear some counter space because we’re about to create some holiday magic!
Step 1: Preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me, parchment is your best friend here—no sticking disasters!
Step 2: In your favorite mixing bowl (mine’s the big yellow one from Grandma), cream together the softened butter and sugar for a good 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns pale and fluffy—like winter clouds! This step makes all the difference for that perfect texture.
Step 3: Beat in the egg and vanilla until everything’s happily combined. Scrape down the sides—those sneaky bits love to hide there!
Step 4: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in another bowl. Gradually add this to your butter mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Overmixing? That’s the enemy of tender cookies!
Step 5: Now the fun part! Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls (or get creative with cookie cutters). Space them about 2 inches apart—they’ll spread just enough to be friendly neighbors.
Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges get that perfect golden halo. The centers might look soft—that’s okay! They’ll firm up as they cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Step 7: Decorate to your heart’s content once completely cool. I always make extra because somehow half disappear before the icing dries!
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of cookie emergencies:
- If your dough feels sticky, chill it for 30 minutes—cold dough holds shapes better!
- Rotate your baking sheets halfway through for even browning (ovens lie about their hot spots).
- The cookies continue baking on the hot sheet, so pull them when the edges are just golden.
- For uniform sizes, I use a #40 cookie scoop—no more “why is this one giant?” moments!
Decorating Your Christmas Butter Cookies
This is where the real holiday magic happens! I always set up a decorating station with the kids – it’s become our favorite pre-Christmas tradition. Here are my go-to ways to make these cookies extra festive:
- Royal icing: Perfect for piping intricate snowflakes or Santas. My simple version just needs powdered sugar, egg whites, and a touch of lemon juice.
- Festive sprinkles: Press them in right after baking while the cookies are still slightly warm – they’ll stick like magic!
- Chocolate drizzle: Melt some white and dark chocolate, then zigzag across the cookies with a fork. So easy but looks so fancy!
- Powdered sugar snow: For a classic look, sift powdered sugar over star-shaped cookies. Simple elegance!
Pro tip: Let the kids go wild with decorating – the messier, the merrier in our house! Some of our ugliest cookies have become our most treasured memories.
Storing & Freezing Christmas Butter Cookies
Here’s the beautiful thing about these cookies – they practically last forever (well, almost)! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay deliciously crisp for up to a week. Need to get ahead? Freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months – just thaw at room temperature before serving. The dough freezes beautifully too – roll it into logs wrapped in plastic, then slice and bake whenever cookie cravings strike!
Christmas Butter Cookies Nutritional Information
Now, let’s be real—these are holiday treats, not health food! But if you’re curious, each cookie has about 120 calories. Remember, values vary based on your exact ingredients and decorations. The butter’s the star here, so savor every bite guilt-free—’tis the season!
FAQs About Christmas Butter Cookies
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Shape it into logs, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 1 month. When cookie cravings hit, just slice and bake—no thawing needed (though add 1-2 extra minutes to baking time).
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Ah, the classic butter dilemma! Either your butter was too soft (should indent slightly when pressed) or your oven wasn’t hot enough. Next time, chill shaped dough for 15 minutes before baking—works like a charm.
What’s the best icing for decorating?
For intricate designs, royal icing dries hard and smooth. For easier options, try a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk) or melted chocolate. My lazy-day trick? Just dip half the cookie in chocolate and call it fancy!
Can I make these without a mixer?
You bet! I’ve made these with just a wooden spoon and elbow grease—it’s how Grandma did it. Cream the butter and sugar extra well (about 5 minutes), and you’ll get that same magical texture.
Decadent Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe in Just 7 Steps
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Christmas butter cookies recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings. These cookies are buttery, crisp, and can be decorated with festive designs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls or shape as desired, then place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Decorate with icing or sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it’s too soft to handle.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- For festive shapes, use cookie cutters before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas butter cookies, holiday cookies, festive baking, easy cookie recipe