Recipes Desserts Cookies Sugar Cookie Recipes Best Soft Christmas Cookies 4.5 (1,611) 1,255 Reviews 263 Photos I make these Christmas cookies every year! They're soft cut-out sugar cookies that I sprinkle with colored sugar before baking. You can frost them with icing when cool if you prefer. Submitted by Georgie Bowers Updated on November 4, 2024 Save Rate Print Share Add Photo 263 263 263 263 Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Additional Time: 2 hrs Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins Servings: 48 Yield: 4 dozen Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe Everyone needs a good Christmas cookie recipe in their back pocket. In need of a great one? We've got you covered. These soft Christmas cookies will quickly become a holiday tradition in your family. Christmas Cookies Ingredients These are the basic ingredients you'll need to make this soft Christmas cookie recipe: Flour: These classic Christmas cookies start with all-purpose flour.Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, which means it makes the cookies rise.Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, but it won't make the cookies taste salty.Sugar and margarine: White sugar is beaten with margarine. You can use butter if you prefer.Eggs: Two eggs lend moisture and bind the dough together.Vanilla: Two teaspoons of vanilla extract is the perfect finishing touch. MDarling How to Make Christmas Cookies You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these Christmas cookies: Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl.Beat the margarine and sugar in another bowl, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.Chill the dough in the fridge.Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes.Bake the cookies on prepared baking sheets until the edges are golden. What Makes These Christmas Cookies So Soft? There are a few reasons this recipe results in pillowy soft Christmas cookies: A teaspoon of baking powder helps the cookies rise during baking, which creates a fluffy texture.This recipe calls for margarine instead of butter because margarine doesn't spread as much during baking.Two whole eggs add tons of moisture, keeping the cookies nice and tender. nicolen How to Store Soft Christmas Cookies The best way to store these Christmas cookies depends on whether or not you've decorated them. Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Cookies frosted with buttercream can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, but make sure you add wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. If you used cream cheese frosting, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Can You Freeze Soft Christmas Cookies? Yes, but it's best to freeze the cookie dough before baking. Shape the dough into one or two flat disks. Wrap in one layer of storage wrap and one layer of foil. Freeze flat for up to three months and thaw in the fridge. Roll, cut, and bake the thawed dough according to the recipe. Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise "Perfect for cut-out cookies," according to Erin Vigeant. "Easy to roll and kept their shape without expanding. This will be my new go-to recipe." "These cookies turned out perfectly," says Lauren Kristie Freidly. "They're great on their own, with sprinkles, or with icing. Very versatile!! I will be using this recipe whenever I make sugar cookies in the future!!" "I made the recipe as is and it was delicious," says Stephanie Lynn. "The cookies held shape, tasted great, and were perfect for decorating. I baked them until they were just browning on the edges at the bottom. Definitely making these again next year." Editorial contributions by Corey Williams Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1x 2x 4x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. Original recipe (1X) yields 48 servings 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups white sugar 1 cup margarine, softened 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Directions Gather all ingredients. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Beat sugar and margarine in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Wrap dough; chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Beat first egg into butter mixture. Beat second egg into mixture along with vanilla extract; add flour mixture and stir until dough is just combined. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Wrap dough; chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two cookie sheets. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Roll out dough on a clean floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters; arrange them on the prepared cookie sheets. Gather scraps and repeat this step. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI Serve and enjoy! ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI I Made It Print 3,361 home cooks made it! Nutrition Facts (per serving) 97 Calories 4g Fat 14g Carbs 1g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 48 Calories 97 % Daily Value * Total Fat 4g 5% Saturated Fat 1g 4% Cholesterol 8mg 3% Sodium 81mg 4% Total Carbohydrate 14g 5% Dietary Fiber 0g 1% Total Sugars 6g Protein 1g 3% Calcium 10mg 1% Iron 1mg 3% Potassium 16mg 0% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.