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Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

Soft Christmas cookies are a festive treat, perfect for the holiday season. They’re easy to bake, tender, and perfect for decorating with icing or sprinkles. These cookies melt in your mouth, making them an all-time favorite for gatherings or gift-giving.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
  • Yield: 48 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar
  • 1 cup margarine, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for later.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and softened margarine with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for achieving that soft, tender crumb in the cookies.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the first egg, then the second egg, along with the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well combined. The mixture should be smooth and slightly fluffy.
  4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients Together: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing, as that can lead to tough cookies instead of soft ones.
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours. Chilling the dough ensures that your cookies hold their shape and bake evenly.
  6. Preheat and Prepare Cookie Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease two cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  7. Roll, Cut, and Bake: On a clean, floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to create fun holiday shapes, then arrange them on your cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown.
  8. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once completely cool, they’re ready for decorating—or simply eating!

Notes

  • Chilling the dough is key. This step shouldn’t be skipped as it helps the cookies retain their shape while baking.
  • If you don’t have margarine, you can substitute it with butter, though it may alter the texture slightly.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon to the dough for a more festive touch.
  • If you want extra chewy cookies, slightly underbake them and let them cool on the hot tray.
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 minutes per batch
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 80mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: Christmas cookie recipe, Soft sugar cookies, Easy holiday cookies, Christmas desserts