Bake the best Christmas cookie recipe with soft, buttery texture and classic holiday flavor everyone loves. These festive Christmas cookies are perfect for Christmas Eve, gifting, or cookie swaps with friends and family. Explore the recipe for easy, joyful holiday baking.
Table of Contents
The Best Christmas Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes). Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) and beat until fully combined.
- Combine and Chill: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms. Cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar or sprinkles if desired. Place on baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until edges are lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies are everything you want from a classic Christmas treat—soft in the center, lightly crisp at the edges, and rich with buttery flavor. They’re simple enough to make in one bowl and festive enough to stand out on any dessert table. This recipe is perfect for gifting, decorating with kids, or baking in big batches for family and friends. One bite, and you’ll be baking them year after year.
Ingredients Needed
For the Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra holiday flavor)
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings:
- Holiday sprinkles
- Coarse sanding sugar
- Buttercream frosting (for decorating after baking)
How to Make the Best Christmas Cookies
1. Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Set aside. This step ensures even baking and prevents clumping.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using). Beat until fully combined.
4. Combine and Chill
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, just until a soft dough forms.
- Cover the dough and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. This step helps prevent spreading and creates a soft, thick texture.
5. Shape and Bake
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and roll lightly in sugar or sprinkles, if desired.
- Place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
[Pair these cookies with our festive Peppermint Mocha Latte or serve them with Homemade Eggnog for a cozy Christmas treat.]
Serving & Storage Tips
- Serving: Arrange on a holiday tray with other festive treats like fudge, truffles, or candy canes.
- Decorating: Let cookies cool completely before frosting or decorating.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
Helpful Notes
- Don’t skip chilling the dough—this step makes a big difference in texture and prevents flat cookies.
- Almond extract adds a festive bakery-style flavor, but vanilla-only works great too.
- For even-sized cookies, use a cookie scoop.
- If you love extra soft centers, slightly underbake and let them set on the tray.
Conclusion
This is the kind of Christmas cookie recipe that becomes tradition. Buttery, soft, and joyfully simple, it brings everyone to the kitchen, one batch at a time. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just for the joy of the season, these cookies are the sweet finish every holiday table deserves.
What’s your favorite cookie to bake at Christmas? Share below—we’d love to hear!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be chilled up to 48 hours in advance or frozen for longer storage.
Can I decorate these cookies?
Absolutely. Use icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar. For cut-out cookies, chill dough longer and roll it out before baking.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or cranberries?
Yes! Fold in 1 cup of your favorite mix-ins at the end of mixing for a twist on the classic.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Make sure the dough was chilled and that your butter wasn’t too soft. Overmixing can also cause flat cookies.