Embrace the cherished tradition of holiday baking with a foolproof christmas cookie dough recipe. This guide helps you create cookies that are not only soft and chewy but also hold their festive shapes beautifully. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, you’ll master the art of making delicious cut-out cookies. Prepare to fill your home with the sweet aroma of celebration and build wonderful memories.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cookie Dough
- Holds Shape Perfectly: Say goodbye to melted cookie shapes! This christmas cookie dough recipe ensures your designs stay crisp from oven to cooling rack.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: Every bite offers a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience, making these cookies irresistible.
- Easy to Work With: The dough is a dream to roll and cut, making the baking process smooth and enjoyable.
- Versatile for Decorating: These cookies provide a perfect canvas for all your frosting, sprinkles, and creative holiday designs.
- Family Favorite Tradition: Turn baking into a beloved annual event, creating cherished memories with every batch of festive cookies.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour*
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Simple Royal Icing
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3-4 Tablespoons milk, room temperature
- 2 ½ Tablespoons light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Notes & Substitutions
This versatile christmas cookie dough recipe allows for a few adjustments. Use good quality butter; if using unsalted, add an extra pinch of salt. Granulated sugar is best for texture, but you can experiment with organic cane sugar. Always opt for pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Remember, room temperature eggs emulsify better, creating a smoother dough. For flour, all-purpose is ideal; for a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Heavy cream can substitute milk in the icing for a richer taste. Light corn syrup helps give the icing a lovely sheen and keeps it from hardening too quickly. Gel food coloring provides vibrant colors without thinning the icing.
Equipment
Gather these essential tools for a smooth baking experience. A stand mixer or hand mixer makes creaming ingredients effortless. You will also need standard measuring cups and spoons for accuracy. Baking sheets and parchment paper ensure even baking and easy cleanup. An adjustable rolling pin helps achieve consistent dough thickness. Don’t forget your favorite assorted Christmas cookie cutters for fun shapes! Piping bags and tips are optional for detailed icing work.
Instructions
Preptime: 25 Minutes
Cooktime: 10 Minutes
Serving: 32, 4″ cookies
Make the Cookie Dough
Start by creaming the softened 1 cup salted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar together in a large bowl or stand mixer until light and fluffy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 large room temperature eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as no dry streaks remain. Divide the soft christmas cookie dough recipe into two equal flat discs. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.
Chilling cookie dough is crucial for easy handling and preventing spread, as it solidifies the fat and allows the flour to fully hydrate, as explained by King Arthur Baking. Learn more about the science behind chilling cookie dough.
Roll & Cut the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour a clean surface or use parchment paper to roll your dough. Take one chilled dough disc and roll it out to your desired thickness, usually about ¼ inch. Use your festive Christmas cookie cutters to cut out various shapes. Carefully transfer the cut-outs to your prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each cookie. Re-roll dough scraps gently, gathering them together. You can re-roll scraps up to two additional times without significantly affecting the cookie texture. Too many re-rolls can make your christmas cookie dough recipe tough.
Bake the Christmas Cookies
Bake your festive cut-out cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the cookies are lightly golden, but not browned. The baking time will vary based on your oven and cookie thickness. You want them to remain soft and slightly pale for the best texture. Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be completely cool before you attempt any decorating.
Prepare the Royal Icing
While the cookies cool, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3-4 Tablespoons milk, 2 ½ Tablespoons light corn syrup, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the milk gradually, adding a tiny bit more if needed, until you reach your desired consistency. For outlining, you want a thicker icing that holds its shape. For flooding, you’ll need a slightly thinner consistency that spreads easily. Divide the icing into separate bowls if you plan to use different colors. Tint with gel food coloring, mixing thoroughly until you achieve your desired hues. Fill piping bags with different colors.
Decorate & Set
Once your Christmas cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part! Outline the edges of each cookie with a thicker royal icing. Then, using a slightly thinned icing (add a drop or two of water if needed), “flood” the centers of the cookies to fill them in. Use a toothpick to gently spread the icing to the edges. Add sprinkles or other decorations immediately while the icing is still wet. This helps them adhere properly. Allow your decorated cookies to harden completely at room temperature, which can take several hours or even overnight, depending on humidity. This ensures your beautiful designs won’t smudge.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Prevent Spreading: Always chill your christmas cookie dough recipe thoroughly for at least 2 hours. Using parchment paper also helps prevent sticking and promotes even baking.
- Correct Flour Measurement: For precise baking, using a kitchen scale for flour measurement can significantly improve accuracy and baking results. Discover why a kitchen scale is an essential baking tool.
- Sticky Dough Fix: If your dough feels too sticky to roll, dust your work surface and rolling pin with a tiny bit more flour. Add flour gradually; too much can make cookies dry.
- Don’t Overwork Dough: Overworking the dough, especially during re-rolls, develops gluten and can lead to tough cookies. Limit re-rolling scraps to two times for the best texture.
- Oven Temperature: An oven thermometer is a baker’s best friend. Ovens can fluctuate, so verifying the actual temperature ensures consistent results for your festive cookies.
- Kids’ Fun: Designate a portion of the dough scraps for “crazy cookies.” Let kids mix colors, shapes, and sprinkles without pressure for perfect results.
Serving, Storing & Variations
Serving Suggestions
These delightful Christmas cookies are perfect for holiday platters, gift exchanges, and neighborhood cookie swaps. Enjoy them alongside a steaming cup of hot cocoa or your favorite coffee for a cozy winter treat. They also make a lovely addition to any festive dessert table.
Storage Instructions
Store your beautifully decorated Christmas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For stacking, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking and preserve your designs. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 weeks.
Freezing Instructions
You have several options for freezing this versatile christmas cookie dough recipe. Freeze unbaked dough discs, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 months. You can also cut out shapes and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Baked, undecorated cookies freeze well in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Fully decorated cookies can also be frozen in a single layer, then transferred to a container. Thaw frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling or baking. Thaw baked cookies at room temperature.
Flavor Variations
Get creative with your christmas cookie dough recipe! Add different extracts like almond, lemon, or peppermint for unique flavor profiles. For a simpler treat, skip the royal icing and decorate your baked cookies with just a light milk wash and sprinkles while they’re still warm.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods. This information is provided for general guidance only.
| Per Cookie (approx. 4″) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Sugars | 20g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Sodium | 100mg |
FAQ
- What makes Christmas cookie dough different? This christmas cookie dough recipe is specifically formulated to hold its shape beautifully during baking, making it perfect for intricate cut-outs and festive designs. It’s often a bit sturdier than regular sugar cookie dough.
- Can I make this dough ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. This makes holiday baking much more manageable.
- How do I prevent my cut-out cookies from losing their shape? Always chill the dough thoroughly before rolling and cutting. Also, ensure your oven is at the correct temperature and avoid over-baking.
- Can this recipe be made gluten-free? Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe by substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Results may vary slightly in texture, but they will still be delicious.
- What are the best ways to freeze Christmas cookie dough? You can freeze the dough as a disc, or cut out shapes and freeze them flat before transferring to a bag. This is a great time-saving trick for busy bakers.
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like the joy of homemade Christmas cookies to capture the spirit of the holidays. This reliable and delicious christmas cookie dough recipe ensures perfect cut-outs every time, bringing smiles and warmth to your home. It’s a simple recipe designed to make your holiday baking stress-free and full of fun. Start a new family tradition and create your own cherished holiday memories. We would love to see your festive creations, so share your decorated cookies and leave a comment below!
