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    Home » All Recipes » Desserts

    Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

    Published: Jul 28, 2020 · Modified: May 24, 2021 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

    280 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Christmas sugar cookies

    These easy Christmas sugar cookies are soft, tender & perfect for decorating with icing! They bake up smooth & flat for easy decorating or dipping. A simple, easy to make Christmas cookie!

    easy decorated Christmas cookies on a plate with sprinkles and icing decoration next to cookie cutters, ornaments, and red ribbon

    These easy Christmas sugar cookies are the perfect cookies to make for the holiday season! They're thick cookies with a soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

    They're decorated with festive red and green cookie icing, topped with holiday sprinkles, and chocolate candy!

    easy Christmas sugar cookies decorated with sprinkles and icing placed on a plate next to ornaments, cookie cutters, and red ribbon

    Why this recipe works

    easy Christmas sugar cookies decorated with icing and sprinkles on a baking sheet next to ornaments, cookie cutters, and red ribbon
    • Sugar cookies often have a problem with spreading in the oven, but not this recipe! Thoroughly chilling your cookie dough before baking helps prevent spreading as well as making it easier to handle.
    • These Christmas cookies bake up soft and tender with the addition of cake flour. Cake flour has less gluten which makes gives these cookies a soft, fluffy texture.
    • The smooth, flat surface makes it ideal for decorating with any kind of cookie icing, royal icing, glazes, and frostings!
    • They're rolled ⅓ inch thick so they keep their soft texture and don't crisp up.
    • Adding cream cheese to the dough adds moisture and more flavor!
    • Add any flavorings you want to the cookie dough - peppermint extract, lemon extract, vanilla extract, and more!
    • You can use Christmas cookie cutters to make festive cut outs or use a simple round mold.

    Ingredients you’ll need

    ingredients for soft cream cheese sugar cookies in glass bowls
    • Butter and cream cheese - soften at room temperature before mixing; adds moisture to the cookie
    • All purpose flour and cake flour - this helps create a soft, texture crumb in the cookie
    • Flavorings and extracts - add any of the following extracts: vanilla, peppermint, lemon, almond extract. Add any of the following flavorings - orange or lemon zest, cinnamon powder, clove, nutmeg.

    Step by step instructions

    Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved.

    Next, add in the eggs and flavorings and beat on high until it's soft and fluffy.

    • sugar cookie dough batter being mixed with a hand mixer
    • sugar, butter, and cream cheese beaten in a glass bowl with a hand mixer

    Sift in the flour and baking powder and combine into a dough.

    soft sugar cookie dough being mixed in a glass bowl

    Chill the dough until it's hardened. You can divide the dough and wrap it in plastic wrap or you can pre-roll the dough between two sheets of parchment and lay it flat in the fridge or freezer.

    sugar cookie dough in plastic wrap

    Dust the surface of the dough with flour and roll it out so it's ¼ to ⅓ of an inch thick. The thicker the dough, the softer the cookie will be.

    sugar cookie dough being rolled out with a marble rolling pin

    First, dip the cookie cutters in flour and then arrange them so that they're placed close together and then press down firmly. Dip the molds in flour each time to prevent sticking.

    cookie cutters placed on top of rolled sugar cookie dough

    Gently remove them and place them on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes at 350 degrees F.

    cut out Christmas sugar cookies on a wooden board

    The cookies should be a pale yellow color and the surface should be smooth and flat without any cracks visible.

    soft cut out sugar cookies held in hand

    Let the cookies completely cool before applying any type of decoration.

    soft Christmas sugar cookies on a baking tray next to cookie cutters

    You can dip the cookies in chocolate ganache or decorate with cookie icing!

    soft christmas sugar cookies dipped in chocolate and covered with sprinkles

    Don't forget to have fun with the decorations! The holidays should be fun and relaxing so don't try to make each cookie perfect. Invite your friends and family for a day of decorating these easy Christmas sugar cookies!

    easy decorated Christmas cookies with icing and sprinkles next to ornaments, ribbon, and cookie cutters

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make these in advance?

    You can make ahead and freeze the cookie dough and the baked (but not decorated) cookies. Wrap the dough or cookies in plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container and store it in the freezer.

    The dough can be frozen for up to 2 months and the baked cookies can be frozen for up to one week. Thaw the cookies completely and bring them to room temperature before decorating as there will be condensation when cold.

    Why did my Christmas sugar cookies crack?

    Cracks on the surface indicate the cookies have been over baked or the oven temperature was too high. Make adjustments for the next batch by reducing the baking time or oven temperature.

    More Recipes to Try

    • Giant Flourless Chocolate Cookies
    • Christmas Yule Log Cake – Buche de Noel
    • Rich & Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate
    easy Christmas sugar cookies decorated with red and green icing and sprinkles placed on a plate next to ornaments

    Easy Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies

    These easy decorated Christmas sugar cookies are soft, tender and perfect for decorating with icing! They bake up smooth and flat for easy decorating or dipping. A simple, easy to make decorated Christmas cookie!
    5 from 58 votes
    Pin Share Print
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Chill Time 30 mins
    Total Time 53 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12

    ☑ Ingredients
     

    Sugar Cookie Dough

    • 8 oz cream cheese
    • 1 cup unsalted butter - 2 sticks
    • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon almond extract
    • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
    • 2 cups cake flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • pinch of salt

    Optional flavorings (choose one):

    • 1 Tablespoon orange or lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract - leave out the vanilla and almond extract
    • 1 teaspoon lemon extract - leave out the vanilla and almond extract

    Optional Decorations:

    • red and green cookie icing
    • white and blue cookie icing
    • Christmas sprinkles
    • chocolate ganache
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    Instructions
     

    • Soften the cream cheese and butter at room temperature. You can also microwave the cream cheese for 15 seconds at a time until soft.
      ingredients for soft cream cheese sugar cookies in glass bowls
    • Beat together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar with a mixer until the sugar granules have completely dissolved. The mixture should be pale and fluffy.
      sugar, butter, and cream cheese beaten in a glass bowl with a hand mixer
    • Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Add any optional flavorings at this time.
      sugar cookie dough batter being mixed with a hand mixer
    • Sift in the all purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix together until just combined.
      soft sugar cookie dough being mixed in a glass bowl
    • Next, chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. I recommend pre-rolling out the dough in between two sheets of parchment paper for easier handling and laying it flat in the fridge. Make sure the dough is ¼ inch to ⅓ inch thick. Any thinner and the cookies won't turn out soft and tender. See Note 1 for more details.
      Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
      sugar cookie dough being rolled out with a marble rolling pin
    • Roll the dough out to ¼ to ⅓ inch thick (if not already done). Cut out shapes from the cookie dough. Dip the cookie cutters in flour before each press so the dough doesn't stick.
      cookie cutters placed on top of rolled sugar cookie dough
    • Bake for 8 - 9 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. The cookies should be pale in color and have a smooth, flat surface. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with icing.
      soft Christmas sugar cookies on a baking tray next to cookie cutters
    • Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with icing or dipping them in chocolate ganache. Add the sprinkles while the icing or chocolate ganache is still wet. Makes about 36 cookies.
      iced Christmas sugar cookies on a baking sheet next to ornaments, cookie cutters, and red ribbon

    ✎ Recipe Notes

    It's important the dough is chilled before baking so they retain their shape.
    Note 1: Ways to Chill  Sugar Cookie Dough:
    • Option 1: Divide the dough into 2 or 3 equal parts and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the freezer for 10 minutes or in the fridge for 20 minutes.
    • Option 2 (Recommended): Working in two or three batches, roll out the dough ⅓ to ¼ inch thick and place it between two sheets of parchment paper. Chill the rolled out dough in the fridge for 15 - 20 minutes. Don't roll the dough any thinner than ¼ inch thick - the cookies won't be as soft and tender.
    • Option 3: Cut out shapes from the cookie dough and place them on parchment paper. Chill the cut outs in the fridge for 15 minutes and then place them straight into a preheated oven. Dip the cookie cutters in flour in between cut outs to prevent the dough from sticking.
    Storage: 
    • Undecorated sugar cookies can be made a week in advance. Tightly wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge or freezer and let them come to room temperature before serving. Double wrapping the cookies help them stay soft and reduce their exposure to air.
    • Unbaked sugar cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Calcium: 18mg | 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.

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    280 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shelley

      December 23, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      Such a good idea to use cake flour for the soft, yummy texture! And it's so great that they bake up smooth and flat so they're easy to decorate, which is a big plus, for sure. Oh - and your decorations are just gorgeous - great inspiration for decorating my own!!

      Reply
    2. Tracy

      December 23, 2020 at 6:20 am

      5 stars
      These were so easy! They were the perfect recipe to make with kids and incredibly delicious. My kids are already asking when we can make more!

      Reply
    3. Beth

      December 19, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      All these practical tips for rolling the dough are so helpful. I know my two-year-old grandson is a bit young for your suggestions but we'll see if we can decorate some before he just eats them all. 😉

      Reply
    4. Farrukh Aziz

      December 07, 2020 at 8:00 am

      5 stars
      Yummy cookies and gorgeous photos, they look so festive and screams Christmas! Love how you have explained the steps in detail, bookmarking this recipe coz I am going to make these for next weekend for kids, it will be so much fun. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Natalie

      November 23, 2020 at 3:16 am

      5 stars
      Beautiful cookies. So festive and fun to make with the family. I will definitely put this recipe on my Christmas list. Thanks for the lovely idea.

      Reply
    6. Gunjan

      November 22, 2020 at 8:49 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies looks so much fun. I am definitely doing this Baking project with my kids next week.

      Reply
    7. Ramona

      November 22, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      WOW, these cookies definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! they are beautifully decorated and they look so delicious. I cant wait to make this for my family.

      Reply
    8. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      November 22, 2020 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      OMgosh how stinking adorable are those cookies!!! I love how fun, festive and DELICIOUS they are!!! And so super easy too! Such an amazing recipe!!!

      Reply
    9. Denise

      November 21, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds like a delicious cookie! They look so festive, I'm adding it to my cookie list this year, thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    10. Kathryn Donangelo

      November 20, 2020 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      Wow these cookies are delicious! So soft, chewy and they came out perfectly shaped. I made them into little pumpkin and thanksgiving shapes. Can't wait to make them again for Christmas!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        November 22, 2020 at 5:31 am

        Thanks Kathryn! I'm so glad they turned out great for you. Thanksgiving shapes sound great, they're really great for any holiday!

        Reply
    11. Maggie

      November 07, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      My mother and I have made these twice, and will be including these in our festive baking routine, which will start in a couple of weeks time. This is a great recipe, and a good one to keep in your repertoire!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        December 12, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        Thanks Maggie! So glad you and your mom enjoyed making these!

        Reply
    12. Anjali

      August 29, 2020 at 1:34 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are so fun and festive!! I know they would be absolutely perfect for the holidays! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jamie

        November 20, 2020 at 3:23 am

        Thanks Anjali! Do try making these for Christmas. I'm sure they'll be a huge hit!

        Reply
    13. Kyle

      August 02, 2020 at 12:28 am

      5 stars
      These are so beautiful and so easy to make. I made a batch without the icing as a test - they are amazing and perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea. Next time, I will decorate them. Yours are beautiful 🙂

      Reply
      • Jamie

        September 11, 2020 at 2:19 am

        Thanks so much Kyle! I love having tea with my cookies too! Have fun decorating them for the holidays.

        Reply
    14. Sally

      July 28, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      5 stars
      Love your detailed instructions! These look so yummy and festive - saving for the upcoming holiday season with my kids!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        September 11, 2020 at 2:08 am

        Thanks Sally! Hope you enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Maike

      July 28, 2020 at 7:21 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my word, these Christmas sugar cookies look stunning. I love the pretty decorations and the cutouts. Can't wait try this recipe. Love the marble rolling pin!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        September 11, 2020 at 2:08 am

        Thanks for the kind words Maike! 🙂

        Reply
    16. Sue

      July 28, 2020 at 7:12 pm

      5 stars
      These are the perfect Christmas cookie. Soft, tender and delicious!

      Reply
      • Jamie

        September 11, 2020 at 2:07 am

        Thanks Sue! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Taylor Kiser

      July 28, 2020 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      These Christmas cookies are so fun and festive! I love how easy they are to make!

      Reply

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