1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Best Soft Christmas Cookies - A Festive Family Favorite

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

These best-ever soft Christmas cookies deliver that perfect, tender texture that makes decorated sugar cookies so irresistible. The dough comes together easily with just the right amount of vanilla and almond extract for classic flavor, while a touch of cream cheese keeps them soft for days. They hold their shape beautifully when baked, creating the perfect canvas for festive decorating with royal icing, colorful sprinkles, or a simple dusting of sugar. The result is a cookie that's not too sweet on its own but transforms into a beautiful holiday treat with your creative touches.
A young woman with long, wavy hair wearing glasses is seated at a table, holding a menu and looking thoughtfully to the side in a softly lit restaurant.
Updated on Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:42:23 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
A tray of decorated Christmas cookies in various festive shapes and colors, including trees, snowflakes, and stars. Pin it
A tray of decorated Christmas cookies in various festive shapes and colors, including trees, snowflakes, and stars. | quickierecipe.com

These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are a holiday tradition in many households, offering a sweet, soft texture that's perfect for decorating and sharing with family and friends. The cookies are easy to make, with simple ingredients that come together to create a delicious and festive treat. Whether you're making them for a holiday party or a fun family baking day, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Let's take a closer look at the ingredients that make these cookies the best for the holiday season!

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base for the cookies, giving them structure and softness.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them soft and light.
  • ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
  • 1 cup margarine (softened): Provides richness and moisture, making the cookies soft and chewy.
  • 2 large eggs: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor to the cookies.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, beat the white sugar and softened margarine together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Step 3:
Beat in the first egg, then add the second egg along with the vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
Step 4:
Gradually stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will affect the texture of the cookies.
Step 5:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to allow it to firm up. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 6:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease two cookie sheets.
Step 7:
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared cookie sheets.
Step 8:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Let them cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Serve the Best Soft Christmas Cookies as they are or decorate with icing and sprinkles to add a festive touch.
  • These cookies are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges, parties, or as a homemade gift. Package them in decorative tins or bags for a special presentation.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • If you'd like to freeze the cookies, allow them to cool completely before storing them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving or decorating.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef Martha Stewart recommends using royal icing to decorate these cookies for a classic holiday look.
  • Chef Ina Garten suggests sprinkling a bit of sanding sugar on the cookies before baking for a festive sparkle.

VARIATIONS

  • For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend that's suitable for baking.
  • Try adding holiday spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a more festive flavor.
  • Use different shaped cookie cutters for various occasions—these soft cookies are versatile and perfect for any celebration.

Best Soft Christmas Cookies

These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are a holiday favorite. Soft, sweet, and perfect for decorating, they’re sure to bring festive cheer to any gathering.

Prep Time
140 Minutes
Cook Time
8 Minutes
Total Time
148 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour.
02 1 teaspoon baking powder.
03 ½ teaspoon salt.
04 1 ½ cups white sugar.
05 1 cup margarine, softened.
06 2 large eggs.
07 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Instructions

Step 01

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside.

Step 02

In a large bowl, beat sugar and margarine with an electric mixer until smooth. Wrap the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Step 03

Beat the first egg into the butter mixture, then beat in the second egg along with the vanilla extract.

Step 04

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.

Step 05

Wrap the dough again and chill in the refrigerator for another 2 hours.

Step 06

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease two cookie sheets.

Step 07

Roll out the dough on a clean, floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and arrange them on the prepared cookie sheets.

Step 08

Bake in batches for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Let cool briefly on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  1. These soft Christmas cookies are perfect for decorating and make a great holiday treat.
  2. Chilling the dough is key to ensuring that the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Tools You'll Need

  • Electric mixer.
  • Medium bowl.
  • Cookie sheets.
  • Wire rack.
  • Sifter.
  • Rolling pin.
  • Cookie cutters.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 2 g