Soft Christmas Cookies are the kind of treat that instantly fill a kitchen with coziness and cheer. These pillowy-soft, buttery cookies have the perfect hint of vanilla and almond, creating a nostalgic flavor that’s simply irresistible for kids and grownups alike. Topped with bursts of colorful sprinkles, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious — making them a must-have for festive cookie platters, classroom parties, or cozy afternoons with a mug of cocoa. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or making your very first batch, these Soft Christmas Cookies promise to be a highlight of your holiday baking traditions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple pantry staples are all it takes to whip up a batch of incredibly Soft Christmas Cookies. Each ingredient plays a perfect role in creating tender, flavorful cookies that look and taste like pure holiday magic.
- All-purpose flour: Helps create a sturdy, yet soft structure that holds these cookies together while keeping them light.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies just the right amount of lift for a perfectly soft, fluffy bite.
- Baking powder: Adds an extra touch of loft, ensuring the cookies don’t turn out dense or heavy.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for rich flavor and that classic tender crumb, make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with that delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Large egg: Binds everything together while adding a bit of moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a warm, inviting aroma and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Almond extract: Adds just a hint of festive, nutty flavor that makes these cookies truly special.
- Milk: Softens the dough to just the right consistency; add it little by little for perfect results.
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar: The finishing touch — not just for a festive look, but for a fun hint of extra texture.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s perfectly heated once your dough is ready. This prevents your cookies from spreading too much and ensures those edges are just barely golden, keeping everything supremely soft.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This little bit of prep guarantees that every bite of your Soft Christmas Cookies bakes up evenly — no surprise pockets of flour or leaveners in sight.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is where the magic starts, creating tiny air pockets that give your cookies their signature soft, tender texture.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts until everything’s well combined. These ingredients add depth of flavor and dreamy aroma, setting the stage for Soft Christmas Cookies bursting with personality.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together. The key is not to overmix — stop as soon as no flour streaks remain to keep the cookies soft and delicate.
Step 6: Add the Milk
Pour in the milk a tablespoon at a time, just until your dough is soft but not sticky. This step helps you nail the perfect consistency — supple enough to roll, but firm enough to hold a beautiful shape.
Step 7: Portion and Shape
Roll rounded tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Slightly flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass, so they bake up with those classic, cookie-jar-perfect tops.
Step 8: Decorate
Sprinkle each dough round generously with colored sprinkles or sanding sugar. This makes every bite of your Soft Christmas Cookies as festive to look at as they are to eat.
Step 9: Bake
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are starting to turn golden. Don’t be tempted to overbake — the cookies should look set, but still pale for that perfect softness.
Step 10: Cool
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before moving to wire racks. This short rest helps them firm up just enough to transfer easily, while the inside stays gorgeously soft.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies
Garnishes
Top your freshly baked Soft Christmas Cookies with extra sprinkles, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for a touch of decadence. Their classic look makes a simple garnish shine.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a generous mug of hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re delightful alongside fresh fruit or a festive cheese board during holiday gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Soft Christmas Cookies in a decorative tin or box as edible gifts, stack them on a tiered tray for parties, or create a “cookie tree” centerpiece. For extra fun, let kids (or grown-ups!) decorate their own with colorful icing and edible glitter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Soft Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously soft for several days — just be sure they’re completely cool before packing to prevent any condensation.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange them in layers with parchment between, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for a ready-to-go holiday treat anytime.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked warmth, gently reheat cookies for 5–10 seconds in the microwave. They’ll taste like you just pulled them out of the oven — soft, fragrant, and absolutely irresistible.
FAQs
Can I make Soft Christmas Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it refrigerated, or bake and freeze the cookies. Just let baked cookies come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I substitute the almond extract?
Yes! If you’re not a fan (or need to avoid nuts), simply replace almond extract with more vanilla, or experiment with lemon or orange zest for a bright, citrusy twist.
What’s the secret to keeping these cookies so soft?
The right balance of butter, sugar, and just enough milk — plus not overbaking! Pulling the cookies from the oven when they still look pale is key to that signature softness.
Do I need to chill the dough?
For this recipe, it’s not necessary, but if your kitchen is very warm or you want extra-thick cookies, a 20-minute chill in the fridge before baking can help your Soft Christmas Cookies keep their shape.
Are these cookies good for decorating with kids?
Absolutely! Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect canvas for sprinkles, colored sugars, and simple icing. Kids will love rolling, flattening, and decorating their own treats before a quick trip to the oven.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats biting into a Soft Christmas Cookie warm from the oven, especially when you’ve made them yourself. I hope these cookies become a new holiday tradition in your kitchen, bringing a little more joy (and sweetness) to your celebrations this season — happy baking!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies are a holiday favorite, perfect for festive baking. They are tender, buttery, and adorned with colorful sprinkles – a delightful treat for the season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Decoration:
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare dry mix: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined.
- Mix dough: Gradually add dry ingredients, mix until incorporated. Add milk as needed.
- Shape and bake: Roll dough into balls, flatten slightly, add sprinkles, bake for 8-10 mins.
- Cool and store: Cool on sheet, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add lemon or orange zest to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their soft texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
