Best Soft Christmas Cookies
These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect treat to bake during the holiday season. They’re tender, chewy, and just sweet enough, with a little holiday magic sprinkled right into…
Tip: save now, cook later.These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect treat to bake during the holiday season. They’re tender, chewy, and just sweet enough, with a little holiday magic sprinkled right into every bite. Soft and buttery, these cookies are filled with festive flavors that bring out the joy of Christmas in the best way.
I love making these cookies because they’re so easy to mix up, and the whole house smells amazing while they’re baking. One tip I always follow is to not overbake them—taking them out just as the edges start to set keeps them wonderfully soft and melt-in-your-mouth. It’s like a warm hug on a cold winter day!
These cookies are great for sharing with family and friends, or just keeping all to yourself if you want a little holiday comfort. I like to decorate some with colorful sprinkles or frosting to add a festive touch, which makes the baking part even more fun. Whenever I make them, they disappear fast, so these are definitely a hit around here.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour: All-purpose flour is the base here for soft, tender cookies. If you need gluten-free, try a one-to-one gluten-free baking flour blend, but the texture might change a bit.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives rich flavor and moisture. You can use salted butter, just reduce or skip added salt. Softened butter creams well for fluffy dough.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create a soft texture. You can swap some for brown sugar for a slight chewiness and deeper flavor.
Egg: The egg binds the dough and adds moisture. For egg-free, use flaxseed meal mixed with water (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), but flavor and texture will differ.
Vanilla & Almond Extracts: Vanilla is classic here, and almond adds extra holiday warmth. If you don’t have almond extract, feel free to leave it out or add a pinch of cinnamon.
Milk: Added only if dough feels dry. Use any milk or plant-based milk to adjust dough consistency without affecting taste much.
Royal Icing: Meringue powder helps stiffen the icing. You can also use egg whites, but meringue powder is safer and easier to work with if you’re not set up for raw eggs.
How Can I Keep These Christmas Cookies Soft and Perfectly Shaped?
Softness and shape depend on a few critical steps:
- Don’t overmix the dough. Mix just until combined to keep cookies tender.
- Chill the dough well. Chilling firms dough so cookies keep their shape while baking.
- Roll to even thickness. About ¼ inch works best for soft but sturdy cookies.
- Bake just until edges are light golden. Overbaking dries them out and makes cookies crisp instead of soft.
- Cool cookies on racks. This stops further cooking from hot baking sheets.
- Wait to decorate until completely cool. Warm cookies can melt the royal icing.
Following these tips has always helped me get soft, chewy Christmas cookies that hold their shapes and still melt in your mouth. Plus, chilling the dough first is like magic for easy cutting and prettier cookies!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheets – I use rimmed ones to keep cookies from sliding and to get even baking.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats – they stop cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mixing bowls – one for dry ingredients and one for creaming butter and sugar, helps keep things neat.
- Electric mixer – it makes creaming butter and sugar quick and smooth for soft cookies.
- Rolling pin – for rolling out dough evenly, so your cookies bake the same thickness every time.
- Cookie cutters – Christmas shapes like trees, stars, or gingerbread men make baking fun and festive.
- Wire cooling racks – they cool cookies evenly to keep them soft and prevent sogginess.
- Piping bags or squeeze bottles – perfect for decorating with royal icing and details.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon nutmeg to dry ingredients for warm holiday spice flavor.
- Mix in ½ cup finely chopped candy canes or peppermint chips to add a fresh, minty crunch.
- Use lemon or orange zest instead of almond extract for a bright, citrusy twist.
- Try dipping half the cookie in melted chocolate once cooled for a rich and festive touch.
Best Soft Christmas Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons milk (if needed for dough consistency)
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- 4-5 tablespoons water
- Food coloring (red, green, pink, etc.)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus 1 hour to chill the dough. Baking and cooling will take another 20 minutes. Decorating with royal icing requires about 5-7 minutes mixing and 4 hours or overnight for the icing to set. Altogether, plan for around 6 hours if decor is included, but active prep time is much less.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prep Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for now.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about three to four minutes.
3. Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Mix just until everything is blended well.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add in the flour mixture, mixing on low speed until everything comes together. If the dough feels too stiff, add milk a tablespoon at a time until the dough is soft but not sticky.
5. Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two halves, press each into a flattened disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and keeps cookies from spreading too much while baking.
6. Roll and Cut Out Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters (like trees, stars, gingerbread men) to cut shapes. Place cookies about an inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
7. Bake Cookies
Bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake to keep cookies soft and tender.
8. Cool Completely
Transfer the baked cookies to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.
9. Make Royal Icing
Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a bowl. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 to 7 minutes. Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring as you like.
10. Decorate the Cookies
Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to decorate your cookies with royal icing. While icing is wet, sprinkle on any festive sprinkles or edible glitter to make your cookies extra special.
11. Let Icing Set
Let your decorated cookies sit at room temperature until the icing hardens—this usually takes about 4 hours or overnight for best results.
12. Serve and Enjoy
Arrange your beautifully decorated soft Christmas cookies on a festive plate and enjoy sharing them with friends and family (or keeping them all to yourself!).
Can I Use Butter Alternatives in This Recipe?
Yes! You can substitute unsalted butter with the same amount of margarine or coconut oil, but keep in mind the flavor and texture might be slightly different. For best results, use solid fats that are good for baking.
How Should I Store These Soft Christmas Cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them soft. If decorated with royal icing, let the icing fully dry first to avoid smudging.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen dough overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking.
What Can I Substitute for Almond Extract?
If you don’t have almond extract, you can leave it out or replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon for a warm holiday twist.