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Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft Christmas Cookies

These soft Christmas cookies are the ultimate holiday treat—light, tender, and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. With a classic sugar cookie base and a hint of almond, they’re perfect for decorating and sharing with loved ones!

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Ingredients:

  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 4 tablespoons milk

For the Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring and sprinkles (optional but festive!)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze.
  2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures the ingredients are well-mixed and ready to blend seamlessly with the wet ingredients.
  3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, making your cookies extra soft.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and almond extract, blending until everything is combined and smooth.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until you have a smooth, consistent dough. The dough should be easy to roll but not sticky—if it’s too sticky, add a little extra flour.
  6. Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass to give them a nice, even shape.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
  8. Prepare the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the icing is smooth. If you’re feeling festive, add a few drops of food coloring.
  9. Decorate and Enjoy!: Dip the cooled cookies into the icing, then sprinkle them with colorful sprinkles before the icing sets. Let the icing dry, and your soft Christmas cookies are ready to be enjoyed!

Notes

  • Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Room-temperature butter and eggs help the dough mix smoothly, giving you an even texture.
  • Don’t Overbake: Soft cookies need careful baking. Take them out when the edges are set but the centers still appear a bit underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool.
  • Experiment with Flavors: Swap almond extract with peppermint or orange extract for a unique twist.
  • Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft. If you’re storing them for a longer time, adding a slice of bread to the container will keep them fresh.
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 110 kcal
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Soft holiday cookies, Easy Christmas cookies, Festive cookie recipe, Traditional Christmas sugar cookies