It’s that time of year again where Christmas cookies reign supreme! Whether you’re looking to impress your friends and family with your baking skills or compete in a Christmas cookie challenge, our sugar cookie recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is easy to follow, delicious, and perfect for decorating with all your favorite festive toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder, flour, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thickness and cut out your desired shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Total fat: 6g
Saturated fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 25mg
Total carbohydrates: 15g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Sugars: 7g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
Serving Suggestions
Our sugar cookies are perfect for decorating with all your favorite festive toppings, such as royal icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Serve them with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for a delicious holiday treat.
Variations
You can easily change up the flavor of these cookies by adding in different extracts, such as almond or peppermint. You can also mix in some festive add-ins like chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts.
Substitutions
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and omit the added salt in the recipe. You can also use margarine or shortening instead of butter. If you don’t have granulated sugar, you can use powdered sugar instead.
Storage
Store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth and creamy dough.
- Don’t overmix your dough or your cookies will turn out tough.
- Chill your dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling out to make it easier to work with.
- Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking.
- Use a spatula to transfer your cookies to the baking sheet to avoid misshapen cookies.
Notes
This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
No, this recipe is specifically for sugar cookies. If you’re looking for a gingerbread cookie recipe, we have one on our blog that you can try!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating sugar cookies! We recommend using royal icing and your favorite festive toppings, such as sprinkles, candy, and edible glitter.
Our Christmas cookie challenge sugar cookie recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to impress their friends and family with their baking skills. This recipe is easy to follow and allows for endless decorating possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these sugar cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Give them a try and let us know what you think!