Desserts

Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

Name: Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Sprinkles or colored sugar for topping (optional)

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These buttery soft Christmas cookies melt in your mouth. They have a tender crumb, a sweet vanilla scent, and a delicate, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. The sprinkles add a festive crunch and color. This simple recipe is great for holiday baking with friends or kids, and it makes a cheerful platter for parties.

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: about 24 cookies
Difficulty Level: Easy

Nutrition Information

(Approximate per cookie, based on 24 cookies)

Calories per serving: 127 kcal
Protein: 1.3 g
Carbohydrates: 12.6 g
Fat: 7.9 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 55 mg

Why Make This Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

Make these cookies for their simple, nostalgic charm. They bake into soft rounds with lightly golden edges and a pillowy center. The butter gives a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture while powdered sugar keeps them tender and delicate. They are quick to mix, fun to decorate, and ideal for gift boxes or a holiday cookie swap. If you like classic, no-fuss sweets, these will become a go-to during the season. For a crunchy-sweet holiday pairing, try them with a caramel cracker treat like this caramel Ritz cracker Christmas cookies.

How to Make Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

This recipe follows a simple cream-and-mix method. You’ll cream the butter with powdered sugar, add the egg and vanilla, fold in the dry ingredients, shape the dough, then bake until the edges are just golden. The steps are straightforward and forgiving, which makes this a great recipe for bakers of all levels.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Sprinkles or colored sugar for topping (optional)

Directions:

Step 1: Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Measure and set out all ingredients so everything is ready to use.

Step 2: Mixing

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 3: Baking

Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass. Add sprinkles or colored sugar on top if desired. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.

Step 4: Finishing

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes so they set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, store or decorate further as you like.

How to Serve Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

Serve these cookies on a platter with hot drinks like cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea. They are perfect for cookie exchanges, after-dinner treats, or packed in holiday gift tins. For a special touch, sandwich two cookies with a thin layer of jam or buttercream. They also pair nicely with fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert.

How to Store Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain softness.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Unbaked dough: Shape into a log, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 1 month. Slice and bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to bake time.

Expert Tips for Perfect Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies

Use softened (not melted) butter. Soft butter creams properly with powdered sugar and traps air for a light texture.
Don’t overmix once you add the flour. Overmixing develops gluten and makes cookies tougher.
Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off to avoid dense dough.
Chill the dough 10–15 minutes if it feels too soft to shape. Slightly chilled dough spreads less.
Bake just until edges are set and lightly golden. Centers will continue to set as cookies cool.
For extra tenderness, replace 1 tablespoon of flour with cornstarch.
Add citrus zest (lemon or orange) to the dough for a bright, festive note.

Delicious Variations

Vanilla Almond: Substitute 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for half of the vanilla.
Chocolate-Dipped: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted dark or white chocolate and let set.
Festive Citrus: Add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the dough and top with orange-colored sugar.
Cocoa Swirl: Replace 2 tablespoons flour with 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for a mild chocolate flavor.
Jam-Filled: Press a shallow well into each flattened ball before baking and add 1/4 teaspoon jam for thumbprint-style cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: Yes. If you use salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt. Taste the dough (safe before baking without raw egg) or rely on the smaller salt quantity—use about 1/8 teaspoon salt total if using salted butter.

Q: Why does this recipe use powdered sugar?
A: Powdered sugar has cornstarch and a finer texture than granulated sugar. It yields a tender, slightly melt-in-the-mouth cookie with a softer texture than cookies made with granulated sugar.

Q: My dough is too sticky. What should I do?
A: Chill the dough 10–20 minutes before rolling. If still sticky, dust your hands and work surface lightly with flour. Avoid adding too much extra flour, which can dry out the cookies.

Q: How do I keep the cookies soft for several days?
A: Store in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread or a piece of apple to maintain moisture. Do not refrigerate unless you need to keep them longer; refrigeration can dry them out if not airtight.

Q: Can I make these cookies larger or smaller?
A: Yes. Adjust baking time: smaller cookies may bake in 8–10 minutes, larger ones 12–15 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges and remove when they are lightly golden.

Q: Can I freeze the raw cookie dough?
A: Yes. Shape dough into balls or a log, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 1 month. Bake from frozen—add 1–2 minutes to the baking time if needed.

Q: Can I substitute the egg for a vegan option?
A: You can try a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water) but texture may be slightly different—less tender and more cakey. Also use a vegan butter alternative.

Conclusion

These Buttery Soft Christmas Cookies are an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday treat with a soft texture and rich buttery flavor. They bake quickly and decorate beautifully for parties or gifts. For another version of a tender, buttery sugar cookie, try this helpful recipe for Buttery Soft Sugar Cookies: Buttery Soft Sugar Cookies. Happy baking — may your kitchen smell like vanilla and butter all season long!