It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious homemade Christmas sugar cookies? Not only are they perfect for sharing with loved ones, but they also make for great gifts or party favors. In this article, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite Christmas sugar cookie variations that are sure to bring some festive cheer to your holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate as desired and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 2g
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- Decorating supplies (optional)
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones or bringing to holiday parties. Serve them with a glass of milk or hot cocoa for the ultimate festive treat.
Variations
Get creative with your Christmas sugar cookies by trying out some of these fun variations:
- Chocolate Peppermint: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 cup crushed candy canes to the recipe.
- Orange Cranberry: Add 1 tbsp orange zest and 1/2 cup dried cranberries to the recipe.
- Gingerbread: Add 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves to the recipe.
Substitutions
If you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand, here are some easy substitutions:
- Unsalted butter can be swapped for salted butter, just reduce the added salt by half.
- All-purpose flour can be swapped for gluten-free flour or almond flour.
- Granulated sugar can be swapped for brown sugar or coconut sugar.
Storage
Store your Christmas sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to three months.
Tips
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before starting the recipe.
- Refrigerate the dough before rolling it out to prevent it from sticking to your rolling pin.
- Don’t overbake your cookies or they will become hard and crunchy.
- Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes and decorating techniques for a fun and festive look.
Notes
This recipe makes approximately 24-36 cookies depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I double the recipe?
- Can I freeze the dough?
- Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe to make more cookies.
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to three months. Simply thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
While you can use margarine, we recommend using butter for the best flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoy making and sharing these festive Christmas sugar cookies with your loved ones. Whether you choose to stick to the classic recipe or try out some fun variations, they are sure to bring some holiday cheer to your home.