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- 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 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon pure almond extract - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 to 2 tablespoons milk (as needed) - Colored sugar - Festive sprinkles - 1 cup = 240 ml - 1 teaspoon = 5 ml - ½ teaspoon = 2.5 ml - 1 tablespoon = 15 ml These ingredients make your cookies soft and sweet. The butter gives a rich flavor, while the sugar adds sweetness. Vanilla and almond extracts bring in a lovely aroma. Colored sugar or sprinkles make them festive! You can adjust the milk to get the right dough texture. The right mix of these ingredients helps create perfect Christmas sugar cookies. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This helps the cookies bake evenly. Next, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of baking powder. This dry mix is key for the cookie structure. Set this aside for now. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer for about 2 to 3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. Then, add 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of pure almond extract. Mix until all are well combined. Now, slowly add the dry mix to the wet ingredients. Use low speed to avoid overmixing. The goal is a tender dough. If the dough feels crumbly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, one at a time, until it holds together. Take small portions of dough and roll them into balls about 1 inch wide. Place them on the baking sheets, leaving 2 inches apart. This space allows them to spread while baking. To add a fun touch, press each ball down lightly with a glass dipped in colored sugar or sprinkles. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch closely; the edges should turn a light golden brown. The centers might look slightly underbaked, which is perfect for a soft, chewy cookie. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This helps them set up nicely. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For decoration, arrange the cooled cookies on a festive platter. You can dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle a simple icing on top. Adding extra colored sugar or edible glitter will bring out the holiday spirit! To get the best cookie texture, start with softened butter. Softened butter mixes well and adds air. This makes cookies light and fluffy. Cream the butter and sugar until it is pale and fluffy. This step is key for a perfect texture. Avoid overmixing the dough after adding flour. If you mix too much, cookies can become tough. If your dough feels crumbly, add milk one tablespoon at a time. This helps bind the dough without making it sticky. Many home bakers make simple errors. One common mistake is not measuring flour correctly. Too much flour can make cookies dry. Always spoon flour into your measuring cup, then level it off. Another mistake is baking at the wrong temperature. Always preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking. Keep an eye on the cookies while they bake. If you wait too long, they may burn. Finally, avoid skipping the cooling step. Letting cookies cool helps them firm up. Decorating your cookies can be fun and easy. Use colored sugar or sprinkles for a festive touch. Press the dough balls down before baking with a glass dipped in sugar. This gives them a nice shape and makes them pretty. Once the cookies cool, you can drizzle icing on top. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds charm. For extra sparkle, use edible glitter. Arrange the cookies on a decorated platter to impress your guests. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For even better flavor and texture, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances the buttery taste. Use Quality Extracts: Invest in high-quality pure vanilla and almond extracts. The flavor difference will be noticeable in your cookies, giving them a richer taste. Experiment with Shapes: Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes rather than just rolling into balls. This adds a fun twist and makes them perfect for holiday gift-giving. Store Properly: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage to enjoy later! {{image_4}} You can switch up the flavor of your sugar cookies easily. Try adding different extracts. Instead of vanilla, use lemon or peppermint for a festive twist. You can also add zest from citrus fruits. Mix in chocolate chips or chopped nuts for a crunch. Dried fruits like cranberries or cherries also work well. Experimenting with flavors keeps your cookies fun and fresh! If you need a gluten-free version, don't worry! You can use gluten-free flour blends. These blends often work well in cookies. Just make sure the blend is good for baking. You may also need to add more liquid to the dough. This helps keep the cookies soft and chewy. The taste will be just as delightful! Decorating cookies is where the fun really starts! Use colored sugar or sprinkles to make them pop. I love to use red and green for Christmas. You can also make icing from powdered sugar and milk for a glaze. Pipe fun shapes or letters on top. Add edible glitter for a festive touch. For a snowy look, dust with powdered sugar after they cool. Let your creativity shine! To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will help keep them soft. You can layer cookies with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the container in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving cookies out in the open air. They can dry out quickly, losing that lovely texture. Freezing cookies is a great way to save some for later. To freeze, let the cookies cool completely first. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour until firm. After that, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Label the bag with the date and type of cookie. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours. These classic sugar cookies can last about one week when stored correctly. If you want them to last longer, freezing is best. Keep an eye on them for any signs of staleness. If they feel hard or look dry, it’s time to toss them. Enjoy these treats fresh for the best taste! Yes, you can use other types of sugar. Brown sugar adds a rich flavor. It can make cookies chewier. You could also try coconut sugar for a unique taste. Just remember, it may change the color and texture a bit. Use the same amount as granulated sugar. You can tell when the cookies are done by looking at the edges. They should be light golden brown. The centers might look a little underbaked. This is okay! It helps keep them soft. Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes. If you wait too long, they may get hard. If you have leftover dough, you can chill it. Wrap it in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days. You can also freeze it for later. Just make sure to wrap it tightly. When you're ready, let it thaw before baking. You can also roll it out and cut shapes for fun cookies! We covered the key ingredients, steps, and tips for perfect cookies. Remember to measure carefully and follow the baking instructions closely. Use the tips to avoid common mistakes and achieve the ideal texture. Try different flavors and decorations for fun twists. Store your cookies properly to keep them fresh longer. With these insights, you can bake delicious cookies every time. Enjoy the process and delight in every bite. Your cookie journey starts now!

Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

Deliciously soft and chewy sugar cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed to bind the dough)
  • to taste colored sugar or festive sprinkles for decoration

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder until thoroughly combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
  • Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat until all ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
  • Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender. If the dough appears crumbly, incrementally add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough easily holds together without being sticky.
  • Take small portions of dough and roll them into balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place these balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each ball for spreading.
  • To give your cookies a festive look, gently press each dough ball down using the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in colored sugar or sprinkles. This adds a delightful decoration and helps them bake evenly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them; the edges should turn a light golden brown while the centers may still appear slightly underbaked. This is ideal for achieving a soft, chewy texture.
  • Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a festive display, arrange the cooled cookies on a decorative serving platter. Enhance their appeal by dusting them lightly with powdered sugar or drizzling a simple icing over the top for an elegant finishing touch.
Keyword Christmas, cookies, holiday baking, sugar cookies