Nothing says “holiday magic” like the smell of freshly baked cookies filling your kitchen! These easy Christmas cookies have been my go-to recipe for years when I need something festive fast. Trust me, you’ll love how simple they are to make – just a few basic ingredients, one bowl, and about 30 minutes from start to finish. I first started making them when my kids were little and wanted to help decorate cookies (without the mess of royal icing!). Now they’ve become our family’s favorite last-minute holiday treat to share with neighbors and friends. The best part? These Christmas recipes easy cookies taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, but our little secret is they couldn’t be simpler!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Oh my gosh, where do I even begin? These cookies are absolute lifesavers during the crazy holiday season. Here’s why they never leave my Christmas baking list:
- Super quick: You can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes – perfect when unexpected guests show up with festive sweaters and hungry smiles!
- Simple ingredients: No fancy pantry items needed – just butter, sugar, flour and all that good stuff you probably have right now.
- Totally festive: Those colorful sprinkles? They magically transform basic cookies into holiday cheer on a plate!
- Perfect for sharing: This recipe makes plenty of cookies to fill tins for teachers, mail carriers, or that neighbor who always shovels your walk.
Honestly? I’ve burned more complicated recipes when distracted by holiday chaos. These foolproof cookies never let me down!
Ingredients for Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Here’s all you need to make these holiday wonders – I bet you’ve got most of this in your kitchen already! The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened – I leave mine out for about 30 minutes before baking
- 1 cup granulated sugar – plain white sugar works great here
- 1 large egg – straight from the fridge is fine
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract – the good stuff makes a difference!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour – spoon and level it for perfect measure
- 1 tsp baking powder – check it’s fresh for best rise
- 1/2 tsp salt – balances the sweetness
- 1/2 cup festive sprinkles – go wild with red and green for Christmas!
See? Nothing fussy – just honest ingredients that come together magically!
How to Make Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Okay, let’s get baking! These cookies come together so quickly you’ll be amazed. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times (sometimes while simultaneously wrapping presents!), and here’s exactly how I do it:
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
First, grab your softened butter and sugar. “Creaming” just means beating them together until fluffy – about 2 minutes with a mixer. This step creates tiny air pockets that make your cookies light instead of dense. The mixture should look pale and feel creamy when it’s ready!
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Now crack in that egg and pour in the vanilla. Mix just until combined – about 30 seconds. Overmixing here can make tough cookies, so stop when you no longer see streaks of egg. The batter will look glossy and smell amazing!
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. This prevents lumps and ensures even distribution. Gradually add it to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. The dough should pull away from the bowl sides when ready – thick but still soft.
Step 4: Fold in Sprinkles
Here comes the fun part! Dump in those festive sprinkles and gently fold them in with a spatula. I do this by hand to keep the colors vibrant (mixers can crush delicate sprinkles). The dough will look like holiday confetti!
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges just start turning golden. They’ll look slightly underdone – that’s perfect! Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring. This patience prevents crumbly disasters!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
After making these cookies more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks! First, if your dough feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes – chilled dough spreads less. Always use parchment paper; it prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Want super soft cookies? Pull them out when the edges are just barely golden – they’ll firm up as they cool. And here’s my secret: underbake them slightly if you’re freezing some for later. They’ll taste fresh-baked when thawed!
Variations for Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Oh, the possibilities! While I adore the classic sprinkle version, sometimes I love shaking things up. Try folding in mini chocolate chips for a cookies-and-cream vibe, or chopped pecans for extra crunch. For a peppermint twist, swap vanilla for mint extract and add crushed candy canes. And around Valentine’s Day? Pink and red sprinkles transform these into instant love-letter cookies – so versatile!
Serving and Storing Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Here’s the best part – these cookies stay fresh and delicious for days! I always store them in an airtight container at room temperature (that cute holiday tin works perfectly). They’ll keep their soft texture for about 5 days – if they last that long! For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies in ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Want to get ahead? The dough balls freeze beautifully too – just pop them on a baking sheet straight from the freezer and add a minute or two to the baking time. Pro tip: tuck a slice of bread in the container – it keeps the cookies soft by absorbing any excess moisture!
Nutritional Information for Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Let’s be real – we’re not counting calories during the holidays! But just so you know, each of these festive cookies comes in at about 120 calories. You’re looking at 6g fat, 15g carbs (8g sugar), and 1.5g protein per cookie. Of course, these numbers might wiggle a bit depending on your exact sprinkles or if you add extras like nuts. My philosophy? Enjoy every delicious bite – it’s Christmas!
FAQ About Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about these cookies from friends and family – here are the ones that pop up most often!
Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?
You can, but trust me – butter makes all the difference! Margarine often makes these Christmas cookies spread more and lose that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture we love. If you must substitute, use a high-quality baking margarine. For example, some people experiment with different fats when trying new recipes.
How Do I Prevent Cookies from Spreading?
If your cookies turn into pancakes, don’t panic! Chilling the dough for 30 minutes works wonders. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh and your oven’s properly preheated – cold dough + hot oven = perfect cookies every time. Proper temperature control is key in baking success.
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! The dough keeps refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 3 months (just thaw overnight in the fridge). Baked cookies stay fresh in airtight containers for 5 days – if they last that long! Planning ahead can save so much stress during busy times.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments – I’m happy to help troubleshoot your Christmas cookie adventures!
Share Your Christmas Recipes Easy Cookies
I’d love to hear how your cookies turn out! Did you add any fun twists? Snap a photo of your festive creations and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing these cookies spreading holiday cheer in other kitchens. Happy baking, friends!
Print
Perfect Christmas Cookies in Just 30 Minutes!
- Total Time: 27 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy Christmas cookies you can make quickly for holiday gatherings. These cookies are simple, delicious, and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sprinkles or holiday decorations
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Fold in sprinkles.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Dough can be frozen for later use.
- Add festive icing for extra decoration.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: christmas cookies, easy cookies, holiday baking