• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Drive Me Hungry
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » All Recipes » Desserts

    Easy Christmas Butter Cookies - Ready in 20 Minutes!

    Published: Jul 31, 2020 · Modified: May 24, 2021 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 85 Comments

    652 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Christmas Butter Cookies

    These easy Christmas butter cookies are perfect for the holiday season! Ready in only 20 minutes and made with 6 ingredients! Dipped in chocolate and decorated with Christmas sprinkles!

    Christmas butter cookies dipped in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles surrounded by holiday decorations and red ribbon

    These Christmas butter cookies are not only easy to make, they only take 20 minutes and call for just 6 ingredients for the cookie!

    These are no chill cookies so you can bake them in the oven right away. They bake up in 10 minutes and are ready for decorating with Christmas sprinkles and chocolate once cooled. Simple, easy, and delicious!

    Why this recipe works

    Christmas butter cookies dipped in dark chocolate with red and green sprinkles on a white plate surrounded by ornaments and more sprinkles

    The flavor and texture of these Christmas cookies is amazing! This recipe is based on my classic butter cookie recipe which recommends European butter and cake flour for this cookie.

    Don't worry if you don't have European butter or cake flour, you can substitute regular butter and all purpose flour in this recipe and it will still turn out delicious! I've done this many times and was happy with the results!

    To create these beautiful shapes, you'll need to use a piping bag with a pastry tip and coupler. The dough is sticky and needs to be piped to make their signature shapes. I linked the equipment I recommend in the recipe card at the end of this post.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    • Cake flour - creates a delicate texture and even crumb in this cookie. It also has less gluten than all purpose flour which prevents this cookie from getting tough and chewy. All purpose flour can be substituted.
    • European style butter is recommended because it has less water and higher dairy fat compared to regular butter. The higher fat content adds richness and less water means that less gluten gets activated while mixing the dough. Regular unsalted butter can be substituted.
    • Sugar
    • Egg
    • Vanilla extract
    • Salt
    • Chocolate Ganache
    • Christmas sprinkles

    How to Make Easy Christmas Butter Cookies

    1. Make sure your butter is softened before you begin. I like to leave it out at room temperature or you can cut it into small pieces and microwave it for 5 seconds at a time. Be careful not to melt it.
    2. Using a hand mixer or whisk, cream together the butter, sugar, and salt. Make sure the sugar granules have dissolved completely. Then the egg and vanilla extract and beat it together.
    3. Sift in the cake flour and slowly mix together until it's combined, being careful not to over mix the dough. The dough will get sticky at this point.
    butter cookie dough mixed in a mixing bowl with a spatula
    1. Transfer the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large closed star tip and fastened with a coupler. Pipe out different shapes onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
    butter cookie dough being piped into rosettes with a piping bag
    butter cookies being piped with a piping bag onto parchment paper

    Have fun and try out different shapes! Make sure they are roughly the same size so they can finish baking at the same time.

    butter cookies piped into different shapes on parchment paper
    1. Bake at 375 degree F for 10 minutes or until the edges turn a golden brown color.
    butter cookies baked on parchment paper
    1. Let the cookies cool completely before dipping them into the chocolate ganache. Lay the cookies flat on parchment paper after dipping.
    • butter cookie dipped into chocolate ganache
    • butter cookie dipped in chocolate on parchment paper
    1. Add the Christmas sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
    Christmas butter cookies dipped in chocolate laying on parchment paper with red, green, and white sprinkles
    1. Let the chocolate harden completely before serving. Makes about 40 cookies.
    easy Christmas butter cookies dipped in chocolate with red and green sprinkles laying on parchment paper

    Expert Tips and Tricks

    Easy Christmas cookies dipped in chocolate with sprinkles on a white plate surrounded by ornaments, red ribbon, and a bowl of sprinkles
    • European butter gives the best results because of its higher dairy fat and lower water content.
    • Add the holiday sprinkles while the chocolate ganache is still wet.
    • Try dipping into melted white chocolate for variation.
    • Use cake flour. Cake flour has less gluten than all purpose flour, so these cookies come out delicate with a softer texture.
    • Try decorating these with icing or frosting!
    • Don't over mix the dough. Over mixing the dough creates gluten, which results in a tough, chewy cookie. These should be delicate and soft, but still have a slight crisp when bitten into.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the difference between butter cookies, shortbread cookies, and sugar cookies?

    Butter cookies, shortbread cookies, and sugar cookies are different because of the different amounts of butter, sugar, and flour.

    Shortbread cookies have the highest ratio of butter to flour ratio which makes them the most crumbly in texture and most brittle.

    In comparison, butter cookies are sturdier and don't break apart as easily compared to shortbread cookies. This makes them perfect for packaging up as gifts!

    Sugar cookies have the lowest butter to flour ratio which also make them great for packing up as gifts. Sugar cookies are typically rolled flat and used with cookie cutter cut outs to make various shapes. They're great for decorating with icing for the holidays!

    How long do these Christmas cookies last?

    They taste best up to a week when stored in an airtight container. Wait for them to cool completely before placing them in the container to avoid any trapped humidity.

    Christmas butter cookies with sprinkles and dipped in dark chocolate on a white plate surrounded by ornaments and more holiday sprinkles

    Serve these with this amazing creamy hot chocolate recipe and enjoy the holiday season!

    rich and creamy homemade hot chocolate dripping off a spoon

    More holiday recipes to try:

    • Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing
    • 5 Minute Chocolate Ganache for Cakes, Glazes, Dips
    • Christmas Yule Log Cake – Buche de Noel
    • Rich & Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate
    • Giant Flourless Chocolate Cookies
    • Butter Cookies – Easy 6 Ingredient Recipe!
    • Bakery Swiss Roll Cake Recipe
    • Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
    • Creamy Panna Cotta Recipe with Cranberry Sauce
    Christmas butter cookies dipped in chocolate with Christmas sprinkles on a white plate surrounded by decorations

    Easy Christmas Butter Cookies - Ready in 20 Minutes!

    These easy Christmas butter cookies are perfect for the holiday season! Ready in only 20 minutes and made with 6 ingredients! Dipped in chocolate and decorated with Christmas sprinkles!
    5 from 156 votes
    Pin Share Print
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, Danish, European
    Servings 12

    Equipment

    • Pastry Piping Bag
    • Pastry Couplers
    • Piping Tips

    ☑ Ingredients
     

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 ⅔ cup cake flour - (200g)
    • ½ cup white sugar - (100g)
    • pinch of salt - (2g)

    Wet Ingredients

    • 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter - (140g) - ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons, softened at room temperature
    • 1 large egg - (60g)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract - (1g)

    Chocolate Ganache

    • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate bar
    • ½ cup heavy cream  - - Optional: additional 1 – 3 teaspoons depending on desired thinness

    Decorations

    • Christmas sprinkles
    • red and green cookie icing
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, add the softened butter, sugar, and salt. Cream everything together until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is light yellow and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. You can use a hand mixer on high speed or use a whisk by hand.
    • Next, add the egg and vanilla into the bowl and beat it together until it's fully incorporated. About 1 minute. 
    • Sift in the cake flour in three parts and mix together on medium speed until the flour is fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and sticky. Be careful not to over mix the dough as you want to minimize gluten development.
      butter cookie dough mixed in a mixing bowl with a spatula
    • Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip. I use Ateco piping tips. I recommend Ateco 846 or Ateco 844. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Pipe rosettes, straight lines, or any other shape you want. 
      butter cookie dough being piped into rosettes with a piping bag
    • Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Let them completely cool before dipping in chocolate.
      butter cookies baked on parchment paper
    • When the cookies are completely cool, make the ganache. Break the chocolate bar into small pieces and add them to a medium microwave safe bowl with the heavy cream. Microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring after each time. When the chocolate pieces start to melt, keep stirring until you have a silky, smooth chocolate ganache. Makes ¾ cup of chocolate ganache.
      chocolate ganache dripping off a spatula into a glass bowl
    • Dip each cookie into the ganache and lay it flat on parchment paper. Add sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
      Christmas butter cookies dipped in chocolate laying on parchment paper with red, green, and white sprinkles

    ✎ Recipe Notes

    • Makes about 30 to 40 cookies based on 2 inch length cookies.
    • Storage - wait for the cookies to cool completely then store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to 7 days.
    • Edible gifts - these cookies are sturdy and package well for edible gifts. When the cookies and ganache have completely set and cooled, add them to goodie bags and seal them tightly. If the cookies are still warm, it will cause condensation inside the package.
    • Use cake flour for a softer, more uniform crumb. Cake flour has less gluten than all purpose flour, so these cookies come out delicate with a finer texture.
    • Don't over mix the dough. They shouldn't be chewy at all, so the less gluten that gets created, the better. Butter cookies should be soft, yet have a subtle crisp when bitten into.
    • European butter gives the best results because of its higher dairy fat and lower water content.
    • Freeze - You can definitely freeze these cookies but I would recommend freezing them without the chocolate. Let the cookies cool completely and then wrap them in parchment paper in a single layer. Store them in an airtight plastic bag or freezer safe container. They should be good for up to a month. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was and give it a 5 star rating! Tag @drivemehungry to show off your creations! I love seeing your photos!

    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.

    Sign up to be notified of new recipes and cooking tips & tricks from our kitchen. No spam ever. Unsubscribe at any time.

    « Butter Cookies - Easy 6 Ingredient Recipe!
    Chicken Chow Mein with Vegetables - Better than Takeout! »
    652 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon

      December 18, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      These turned out so beautifully! I never knew you could make these butter cookies at home. They are wonderful for the homemade cookie tins I give as gifts. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        December 18, 2021 at 9:53 pm

        That's great to hear Sharon! I'm so glad you loved it, thanks for trying the recipe!

        Reply
    2. Colleen

      December 18, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      5 stars
      We loved these cookies and it was fun making different shapes and decorating them with the kids. Will make another batch because they didn't last long!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        December 18, 2021 at 4:35 pm

        So glad to hear that Colleen! Thanks for trying the recipe! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Beth

      December 17, 2021 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      So festive and delicious. I just love these Christmas cookies. My all time favorite. Don't forget to use good quality butter.

      Reply
    4. Adrianne

      December 16, 2021 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are SO cute! It's fun trying out all of the shapes and I love the swirl effect. These are putting me in the Christmas spirit, thanks!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        December 18, 2021 at 4:41 pm

        Thank you so much Adrianne! I'm glad you enjoyed these!

        Reply
    5. Heather

      December 13, 2021 at 3:52 pm

      5 stars
      These are one of my favorite Christmas cookies! It's quick and easy and tastes so much better made from scratch!

      Reply
    6. Maria

      December 08, 2021 at 3:32 pm

      5 stars
      Christmas is near and these cookies are perfect! I've been practicing the shapes for a cookie exchange later this week. Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Brianna

      October 07, 2021 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      Loved the texture of these cookies! Butter and light; I also love how they hold their shape.

      Reply
      • Jamie

        October 07, 2021 at 1:59 am

        Glad to hear it Brianna! Thanks for giving it a try! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Genevieve

      October 06, 2021 at 7:05 pm

      5 stars
      I can't believe Christmas is coming up! The seasons go by too fast now. These look delicious!

      Reply
    9. Kim

      October 02, 2021 at 9:10 am

      5 stars
      Outstanding! 8500 ft 10 minutes 375 degrees, added 1 extra tablespoon of cake flour. Perfect! Used Ateco #869 for these beauties! Thank you for the time saving delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        October 07, 2021 at 1:52 am

        That's great to hear Kim! I'm so glad you loved them. Thanks for trying the recipe! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Jessie

      October 01, 2021 at 9:16 pm

      5 stars
      I love how simple yet tasty these sound! These are going to be a great addition to my holiday cookie boxes.

      Reply
    11. Brittany

      September 28, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      5 stars
      These butter cookies are one of my all time favorites especially for the holidays! So easy and always a hit at our gatherings! So delicious and very yummy!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        October 07, 2021 at 1:58 am

        Thank for sharing Brittany! That makes me so happy! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Andrea

      September 08, 2021 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      A perfect cookie for the holidays. Will bookmark for later in the year.

      Reply
      • Jamie

        October 07, 2021 at 1:48 am

        Hope you enjoy these for the holidays!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    photo of author

    Hi there!

    Nice to meet you! Come join me in making easy, simple recipes for every day meals. All my recipes use fresh ingredients with easy to follow steps that anyone can follow. Take a look around!

    More about me →


    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up to be notified of new recipes and cooking tips & tricks from our kitchen. No spam ever. Unsubscribe at any time.


    Popular Recipes

    • Yaki Udon | Stir Fried Udon Noodles
    • Remoulade Sauce | Crab Cake Sauce
    • 3 Classic Spring Roll Dipping Sauces
    • Southern Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

    Copyright © 2022 Drive Me Hungry · Privacy Policy