Easy to make soft Christmas cookies that are perfect for sugar cookie cut outs. They are so chewy! You can add colored sugar or icing on top.
As the song goes, Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year! Make it even better with this easy sugar cookie recipe. There are few things more magical than making Christmas cookies with the family during the holidays. Decorating a batch of cookies is so much fun (and eating them is even better)!
Kids will love the fun shapes of these cut-out cookies while your friends and family admire your baking skills. If you’re looking to make the best Christmas sugar cookies this holiday season, this easy cut out sugar cookies recipe will help get you started!
The Best Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
This is the best sugar cookie recipe because it allows you to use your favorite cookie cutters, only requires several simple ingredients, and is incredibly delicious! They are perfect for the holiday season if you love making a Christmas cookie tray and sure to be a hit at any Christmas party!
It doesn’t hurt that this recipe is super easy to make, too, and super fun to decorate if you choose to. These are truly the best sugar cookies filled with that classic sugar cookie taste that will spread holiday cheer after every bite!
Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies Ingredients
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter
- White sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
To decorate (optional)
- White icing
- Red and green sprinkles
How to Make Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies
The first step is to take a large bowl and mix together the dry ingredients.
In another large mixing bowl add sugar and butter and beat until fluffy. Then, mix in the eggs and vanilla.
Combine the flour mixture into sugar mixture and continue to mix until the cookie dough forms.
Once complete, wrap and chill dough in the refrigerator for two hours.
Preheat the oven and spray your cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Divide the sugar cookie dough into two balls and use a rolling pin to roll it out. Then use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and arrange them on the baking sheet.
Now it’s your choice on how you want to decorate them. Going for sprinkles? Sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar sprinkles and bake until the edges turn a light brown. Then, remove from the oven and let them cool.
Want icing instead of sprinkles? Once cookies are removed from the oven and cooled down decorate with sugar cookie frosting, sprinkles and enjoy your delicious cutout cookies!
Make Ahead
You might wonder, how many days in advance can I make sugar cookies? You can bake your sugar cookies up to five days in advance. However, you must ensure they are stored properly for optimal freshness (see storage details below). I’d suggest frosting the night before your event or the day of, for an even fresher taste!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Christmas sugar cookies in an airtight container or double-wrap tightly in plastic wrap. They can be left at room temperature for up to three days. Keeping your sugar cookies in the fridge will keep them fresh for about a week, but any longer, the cookies will likely begin to go stale. If you want them to last longer, your best bet is to freeze your sugar cookies in a freezer bag without the frosting, which will last up to three months.
Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies FAQs
Do you cut sugar cookies before or after baking?
You’re going to cut out your cookie dough before baking. If you wait until after, you won’t likely get a clean cut/shape.
Why are my cut out sugar cookies hard?
Overbaking causes sugar cookies to become hard. While you can still eat them, they may not be as pleasant to eat as soft sugar cookies. If you’re aiming for a softer cookie, remove your cookies from the oven as soon as you see they have set and/or gained some color (but not too much) around the edges of the cookies. However, if you like crispy cookies, then you’re going to want to do the opposite as instructed!
How do you keep sugar cookie cutouts from spreading?
If you place your cookie dough on an overly greasy baking sheet, it will cause the cookies to spread more. Using wax paper or silicone baking mat also works to combat this issue. Too much sugar and/or butter can cause this same effect too.
More Christmas Cookies Recipes
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites
- Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Shortbread Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Snowball Cookies
- Christmas Cookies To Make With Kids
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Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies
PrintIngredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter softened (not melted)
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
To decorate (optional)
- White icing
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
- In another large mixing bowl add sugar and butter and beat with a electric hand mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and continue to beat until well combined. Add in flour mixture into sugar mixture and continue to mix until a cookie dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
- Divide the dough in 2 balls. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough into 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place cookies on baking sheet. Continue until all the dough is gone.
- Sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn a light brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool. If you prefer to use icing, bake the cookies and then add icing once the cookies are cool.
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