Looking for the perfect Christmas cookie? These Christmas butter cookies are soft, sweet, and so buttery!
You get melt-in-your-mouth cookies with just the right hint of sweetness. Add sprinkles, icing, or leave them simple—they’re always yummy.
Perfect for cookie trays, gifts, or cozy nights by the tree. Easy to make. Fun to decorate.
Grab some butter and sugar—let’s bake up a little Christmas magic today!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Holiday Favorite: A buttery, rich cookie that never goes out of style.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with basic pantry staples for easy holiday baking.
- Perfect for Decorating: Their sturdy yet tender texture makes them ideal for icing and sprinkles.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be prepared in advance and baked when needed.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike, perfect for holiday parties or cozy evenings.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings:
This recipe yields about 24 cookies, depending on the size of your cut-outs.
Difficulty:
Easy and beginner-friendly. Great for baking with kids or for relaxed holiday projects.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (holiday shapes work best)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling racks
Ingredients for the Christmas Butter Cookies
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these rich, festive cookies (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):
For the Cookies:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for a creamy dough.
- Powdered Sugar: Gives the cookies a softer texture compared to granulated sugar.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure without making the cookies tough.
- Baking Powder: A small lift to keep the cookies tender, not dense.
- Salt: Enhances the buttery flavor.
For the Icing:
- Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, glossy icing.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and body to the icing.
- Vanilla Extract: For warm, sweet flavor.
- Milk: Adjusts the icing to the perfect spreading consistency.
Variations for Christmas Butter Cookies
- Add Citrus Zest: Lemon or orange zest can brighten the flavor without changing the classic texture.
- Flavor the Dough: Try a touch of almond extract for a deeper, nutty holiday taste.
- Chocolate Dip: Half-dip cooled cookies in melted dark or white chocolate for extra flair.
- Sprinkle Fun: Decorate with festive sprinkles before the icing sets for colorful, cheerful cookies.
- Shape Ideas: Stars, trees, bells, snowflakes — pick shapes that match your holiday mood.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the powdered sugar. Mix until light, creamy, and smooth. This step helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix just until combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep the cookies tender.
4. Chill the Dough
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the butter, helping the cookies keep their shape when baked.
5. Roll and Cut
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters to cut into festive shapes and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake
Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. Keep an eye on them; you want them to stay pale and soft in the center.
7. Cool
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
Serving and Decoration
Once cooled, these cookies are ready for decorating:
- Icing: Spread or pipe the icing over the cookies once they are fully cooled.
- Sprinkles: Add colorful sprinkles right after icing, before it sets.
- Simple Elegance: Or, leave some cookies plain to let the buttery flavor shine without any extra decoration.
These cookies are beautiful on holiday platters, packed in cookie tins, or gifted in small treat bags tied with ribbon.
How to Store Christmas Butter Cookies
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezer Option: You can freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before icing.
- Tip for Freshness: Place a slice of bread in the container to help keep the cookies soft longer.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter blends better with the sugar, creating a lighter texture.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling — it helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Flour Lightly: When rolling out the dough, use just enough flour to prevent sticking. Too much can make the cookies tough.
- Keep an Eye on Bake Time: Cookies should be set but still pale; overbaking can dry them out.
- Decorate Once Cooled: Only ice completely cooled cookies to prevent the icing from melting.
Nutrition Information
| Serving Size | 1 cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 55mg |
| Total Carbs | 18g |
| Sugar | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
Note: Nutrition may vary slightly based on size and decoration choices.
Christmas Butter Cookies
Course: Christmas Recipes24
cookies20
minutes10
minutes150
kcalIngredients
- For the Cookies:
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Icing:
2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons milk (as needed for spreading consistency)
Directions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Combine and Form Dough: Gradually mix dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir just until a soft dough forms.
- Chill: Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll and Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
- Bake: Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Cool: Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Decorate: Prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Ice the cookies and decorate as desired.
Christmas Butter Cookies FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Store it wrapped tightly in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Undecorated cookies freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before decorating.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Be sure to chill the dough thoroughly and avoid over-softening the butter.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, easily. Just make sure to chill the larger batch of dough well and work in sections when rolling and cutting.
Conclusion
Christmas Butter Cookies are more than just a treat — they’re a tradition. With a buttery bite, simple decorating, and that nostalgic holiday feel, they are the perfect addition to any festive gathering. Whether you gift them, share them, or simply enjoy them with loved ones, these cookies have a way of making the season feel a little sweeter.