Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe: A Festive Treat for the Holidays
The aroma of warm spices and sweet sugar cookies baking in the oven is synonymous with Christmas. This year, ditch the store-bought treats and create a batch of delicious, homemade Christmas sugar cookies that will impress your family and friends. This recipe focuses on achieving that perfectly crisp yet chewy texture, with a delightful hint of vanilla and a touch of festive spice. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies, easily adjustable for a larger or smaller batch.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter is key for a smooth and creamy dough. Don't melt it!
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: This provides the sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: These bind the ingredients and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor profile with a warm and inviting aroma.
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: A classic Christmas spice that adds depth.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Another festive spice that complements the nutmeg beautifully.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of our cookie, providing structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a delightful texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Your favorite sprinkles, frosting, and decorative elements: For that extra Christmas cheer!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cream Together Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer is ideal, but you can certainly use a hand mixer or even a good old-fashioned whisk!
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!
4. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial; it prevents the cookies from spreading too thin while baking.
5. Roll and Cut: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters (Christmas shapes are recommended!) to cut out the cookies.
6. Bake to Perfection: Place the cookies on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
7. Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, unleash your creativity and decorate with frosting, sprinkles, and other festive elements.
Tips for Christmas Cookie Success:
- For extra festive flavor: Consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla.
- Prevent spreading: Make sure your butter is properly softened, but not melted. Chill the dough thoroughly.
- Don't overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Start checking for doneness around 8 minutes.
- Get creative with decorations: Use different colored frostings, sprinkles, candies, and even edible glitter for a truly unique touch.
Enjoy Your Festive Creations!
These homemade Christmas sugar cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations. The recipe is simple enough for even novice bakers, yet delicious enough to impress even the most discerning palates. Happy baking, and Merry Christmas!
