Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft Christmas Cookies 🎄🍪

Soft Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that brings joy to every festive table. These cookies are tender, flavorful, and perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles. Share them with friends and family, or enjoy them as a cozy snack with hot cocoa!

Why Make This Recipe

Perfect for the Holidays

These cookies are a classic holiday treat, ideal for Christmas parties, gift-giving, or simply indulging in the holiday spirit.

Fun to Decorate

The soft texture and festive shapes make these cookies a blank canvas for creativity. Gather the family for a fun decorating session!

Easy to Customize

You can tweak the flavor with almond or peppermint extract, and the icing colors and designs can be as simple or intricate as you like.

How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
• 4 tbsp milk

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Directions

1. Prep and Preheat
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Cream the Wet Ingredients
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until smooth.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk.
   • Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is sticky, refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
5. Roll and Cut
   • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
   • Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake
   • Bake for 6-8 minutes or until the edges are barely golden.
   • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Make the Icing
   • Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
   • Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring for desired festive hues.
8. Decorate
   • Spread or pipe the icing onto the cooled cookies.
   • Decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch. Let the icing set before serving or storing.

Tips for Perfect Cookies

1. Chill the Dough: This prevents the dough from sticking or spreading too much during baking.
2. Don’t Overbake: Watch the cookies closely; they should be set and not browned.
3. Flavor the Icing: Add almond or peppermint extract for a holiday twist.

Variations

• Peppermint Sugar Cookies: Add crushed peppermint candies to the icing or dough.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies for a decadent finish.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.

FAQs

1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

2. How should I store the cookies?

Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

3. Can I use different extracts?

Absolutely! Lemon, almond, or peppermint extracts add unique flavors to the cookies or icing.

Conclusion

Soft Christmas Cookies This recipe is easy to follow and fun to customize, making it a holiday tradition you’ll want to revisit year after year. Bake a batch today, and let the season’s joy fill your home!

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