Best Sugar Cookies Recipe

Imagine a plate of soft, buttery cookies that practically melt in your mouth, crowned with festive red and green sugar crystals. That’s exactly what you’ll get with the Best Sugar Cookies. This recipe has all the nostalgic, cozy flavors you’d hope for during the holidays, with a tender crumb and just the right amount of sweetness. Whether you’re baking with the kids, prepping for a cookie swap, or just want a taste of classic holiday cheer, these cookies will win hearts and become a new December tradition.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You probably already have everything for these Best Christmas Sugar Cookies in your pantry! Each ingredient plays a special role—from creating a delicate texture to boosting that classic sugar cookie flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and exactly why it matters:

• Salted butter, softened: Gives these cookies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth base while the salt perfectly balances the sweetness.
• Cream cheese, softened: The not-so-secret ingredient! Adds a slight tang and extra softness for that crave-worthy chewiness.
• Sugar: Classic granulated sugar sweetens the dough and helps give each bite its wonderful golden color.
• Large eggs: Binding and moisture—eggs hold everything together and create a soft, tender crumb.
• Vanilla extract: The backbone of sugar cookie flavor, vanilla makes everything smell and taste like the holidays.
• Almond extract: Just a hint deepens the flavor and adds that signature bakery-style cookie aroma.
• All-purpose flour: Gives your cookies structure so they hold their shape but stay pillowy inside.
• Cornstarch: The magic touch for extra softness! It helps create cookies that are cloud-like and never dry.
• Baking soda: A little lift so the cookies puff up and keep their perfect shape.
• Salt: Just a pinch ties every flavor together and keeps the sweetness in check.
• Red and green sanding sugars: The fun, festive finish! These bring holiday spirit and a sweet crunch to every bite.

How to Make Best Christmas Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Wet Ingredients

Start by adding your softened butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract into a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat everything together until the mixture is fluffy and you can’t resist sneaking a taste—this should take about 4 to 5 minutes. If you see any cream cheese lumps, just keep mixing until it’s fully smooth.

Step 2: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Grab a spatula and scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is combined. Now, sprinkle in the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. On low speed (so you don’t wear half the flour!), mix until a soft dough forms. This dough is what will make your Best Christmas Sugar Cookies supremely tender and soft.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap and slide it into the fridge for at least 2 hours. This chill time is key—it lets the flavors mingle and ensures your cookies bake up thick, not flat. If you’re planning ahead, you can even keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours!

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take the chilled dough and use a 1-inch cookie scoop or spoon to portion it out. Roll each piece into a ball with your hands and space them about an inch apart on the tray.

Step 5: Add That Classic Criss Cross and Sugar

Lightly press each dough ball with a fork in a criss cross pattern, giving them that iconic sugar cookie look. Sprinkle each one generously with your red or green sanding sugars for instant holiday magic.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Slide your cookie tray into the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Here’s the trick for Best Christmas Sugar Cookies: don’t let them get golden brown. Pull them out while they still look a little underdone; they’ll set up perfectly as they cool and stay irresistible soft.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready for the kitchen to smell incredible while you wait!

How to Serve Best Christmas Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

For that classic festive look, nothing beats a big sprinkle of red and green sanding sugars. If you want to add even more sparkle, try edible glitter, white nonpareils, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy finish. These little touches make your Best Christmas Sugar Cookies truly pop on any holiday platter.

Side Dishes

If you’re serving a holiday dessert spread, pair these cookies alongside mugs of hot cocoa, warm apple cider, or a festive peppermint latte. They also make a charming accompaniment to a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream if you’re hosting a cozy winter gathering.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile your Best Christmas Sugar Cookies on a three-tiered stand for a fun centerpiece, or package them up in clear cello bags with pretty ribbons for homemade edible gifts. For a family movie night, arrange them on a large platter with a few chocolate-dipped pretzels and mini marshmallows—it’ll be everyone’s favorite treat tray.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once they’ve cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Tuck a slice of bread in the container if you want them to stay extra soft (the bread keeps them moist without making them soggy).

Freezing

The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies freeze beautifully! You can freeze the baked cookies (once cooled) in a zip-top freezer bag for up to three months. Or, freeze unbaked dough balls—just pop them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling in sanding sugar and baking as usual.

Reheating

If you want that “just-baked” warmth, reheat cookies in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes, or microwave for just a few seconds. Warm cookies with a cup of coffee on a chilly December morning? Absolute bliss.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?

Absolutely! If you substitute with unsalted butter, just add an extra pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) of salt to the dough to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavor.

Can I skip the almond extract?

Yes, if you or anyone in your family doesn’t enjoy the hint of almond, you can leave it out. You’ll still have delicious, classic sugar cookies—just with a slightly simpler flavor profile.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling is really important for these Best Christmas Sugar Cookies. It helps control spread and gives you that thick, bakery-style softness. If you skip chilling, your cookies may turn out thinner and less tender.

Can I double this recipe for a big batch?

Definitely! This dough is easy to scale up. Simply double all the ingredients and work in batches when baking. Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday parties, or just sharing with neighbors.

What’s the best way to keep cookies soft during storage?

Storing in an airtight container is key. Add a slice of sandwich bread to the container—the cookies will draw just enough moisture from the bread to stay soft for days. Genius!

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend these Best Christmas Sugar Cookies enough! They’re a little old-fashioned, a little magical, and guaranteed to light up any holiday table. Give them a try this season—I promise they’ll be the first treat to disappear, with everyone asking for your recipe.

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