Soft Christmas Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, perfect for sharing with family, friends, neighbors, or just treating yourself during chilly winter evenings. These sugar-dusted, pillowy cookies melt in your mouth with every bite and truly capture the magic of Christmas baking. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or it’s your first foray into holiday cookies, you’ll find the recipe simple, versatile, and utterly delightful – with just a few common ingredients, you’ll be able to spread the sweet joy of the season!

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Soft Christmas Cookies lies in the blend of familiar and festive flavors, each ingredient playing a unique role in creating that signature softness, tenderness, and merry touch. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

Unsalted butter, softened: This is the foundation of our cookies, delivering richness and the signature soft texture we crave.
Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and helps the cookies spread just the right amount in the oven for a perfect result.
Large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds a slight chewiness to the finished cookie.
Vanilla extract: Infuses wonderful warmth and a classic cookie aroma that screams “holiday.”
Almond extract (optional): Just a splash adds an irresistible nutty depth – feel free to include if you want a little something extra.
All-purpose flour: The backbone that gives structure but still keeps the cookies tender and light.
Baking powder: Lifts the dough, making sure the cookies stay soft and fluffy.
Baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder to help the cookies puff up without becoming dry.
Salt: A dash brightens the sweetness and helps all the flavors shine through.
Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar (for decorating): Adds festive sparkle, texture, and a fun finish for your Christmas cookie tray!

How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper – this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes clean-up a breeze. This small step ensures every batch of Soft Christmas Cookies bakes evenly, so don’t skip it!

Step 2: Cream Together the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is visibly lighter and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which translates to super soft and tender cookies.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Crack in the egg, then pour in the vanilla extract and almond extract if using. Beat the mixture again until everything is well blended and the dough takes on a creamy consistency. The extracts perfume the dough and add a delightful depth to these festive treats.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, so your cookies rise perfectly and taste balanced in every bite.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, mixing just until combined. The dough will start to look thick and smooth – avoid overmixing, as that can make the cookies tougher instead of soft and dreamy.

Step 6: Shape, Flatten, and Decorate

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands and arrange them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm; this is key for that classic Soft Christmas Cookies look. Sprinkle liberally with colored sprinkles or sanding sugar for that extra dash of cheer!

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Slide the trays into your preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes. The edges should just start to turn golden, but the centers will look pale – trust the process! To keep the cookies soft, don’t overbake. Let them rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely and set up their tender texture.

How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

The fun doesn’t stop once the cookies are baked! Add an extra sprinkle of sanding sugar after baking for a touch of sparkle, or drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for even more sweetness and shine. For a classic holiday look, use red and green sprinkles or tiny sugar pearls!

Side Dishes

Pair Soft Christmas Cookies with mugs of hot chocolate, mulled cider, or classic eggnog for a heartwarming holiday treat. They’re equally lovely served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or crumbled into festive parfaits for a bit of whimsy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a magical holiday presentation, pile your Soft Christmas Cookies onto a tiered platter or arrange them in decorative tins lined with parchment. You can also stack them and tie with a ribbon for a sweet homemade gift, or serve as part of a larger cookie swap spread with friends and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Soft Christmas Cookies super fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay irresistibly soft for up to a week, making them a wonderful make-ahead option for parties and gift giving.

Freezing

If you want to get a jump on your holiday baking, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls, ready to bake straight from the freezer – just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked warmth and softness, pop the cookies into a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes or microwave each cookie for about 10 seconds. They’ll taste like they came straight out of the oven!

FAQs

How do I keep my Soft Christmas Cookies from getting hard?

Make sure you don’t overbake them – take the cookies out when the edges are just set but the centers still look pale. Storing them in an airtight container right after they cool helps lock in that signature softness.

Can I substitute the almond extract?

Absolutely! If almond extract isn’t your favorite or there’s an allergy, simply leave it out or swap in extra vanilla extract. You can even experiment with other extracts like lemon or orange for a citrusy twist.

Can I frost these instead of using sprinkles?

Yes! These cookies are fabulous with a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze or your favorite buttercream frosting. Frost once the cookies have cooled completely, then let the icing set before storing or stacking.

What’s the best way to get evenly sized cookies?

A cookie scoop is a baker’s best friend for perfectly portioned dough. If you don’t have one, a tablespoon measure works well – just try to keep them close to 1-inch balls for uniform baking.

Can the dough be made ahead of time?

Definitely! Prepare the dough and chill it tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Chilling makes the dough even easier to shape and helps the flavors meld beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This holiday season, bring a little extra softness and cheer to your cookie jar with these Soft Christmas Cookies. They’re wonderfully easy, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to disappear fast! Gather your ingredients, put on your favorite festive tunes, and dive into some joyful, homemade baking – your friends and family will love every single bite.