## Introduction
During the holiday season, nothing brings people together quite like baking. One delightful treat that warms hearts and fills homes with sweet aromas is Christmas Sugar Cookies. These cookies are not just ordinary cookies; they are soft, buttery, and decorated with colorful jimmies sprinkles. This festive treat is perfect for family gatherings, office parties, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa. The best part? They are fun and easy to make, allowing everyone in the family to join in. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, you'll find joy in creating these sugary delights that embody the spirit of Christmas.
## Why Make This Recipe
Making Christmas Sugar Cookies is an enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday season. Here are a few reasons to whip up a batch:
1. **Tradition**: Baking cookies can become a cherished holiday tradition. You can gather family or friends in the kitchen, share stories, and create lasting memories.
2. **Creativity**: Decorating cookies gives you a chance to be creative. You can use various sprinkles, icing designs, or even edible glitter to make your cookies unique.
3. **Gift Ideas**: Homemade cookies make great gifts. Package them in festive boxes or tins, and they become a thoughtful present for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
4. **Delicious**: Let’s be honest—these cookies taste amazing. The combination of butter, sugar, and sprinkles results in a treat everyone will love. Each bite is a burst of flavor that will brighten anyone's day.
5. **Customizable**: You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Want a different flavor? You can substitute various extracts or spices. Don't like sprinkles? You can choose chocolate chips or nuts instead.
## How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
Making Christmas Sugar Cookies is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it step by step:
### Ingredients:
- 270 g (2¼ cups) all-purpose flour
- 4 g (1 tsp) baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 170 g (1½ sticks / ¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 54 g (⅓ cup) Christmas jimmies sprinkles
- 283 g (1¼ bricks / 10 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 184 g (13 Tbsp) salted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) heavy cream, very cold
- 24 g (2 Tbsp) Christmas sprinkles (jimmies, nonpareils, etc.)
### Directions:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial as it ensures your cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients**: In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together to combine well. Set this mixture aside for later.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar**: In a stand mixer, take your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract to this mixture. Continue mixing until everything is well combined.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture with the mixer on low speed. Mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. Once combined, gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles using a spatula or a wooden spoon.
5. **Shape the Cookies**: Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls. Place the balls on your prepared baking sheets. Press down each ball slightly to flatten them for even baking.
6. **Bake the Cookies**: Place your baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes. The cookies will be slightly set at the edges but soft in the center. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.
7. **Cool the Cookies**: After baking, take the cookies out and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. **Make the Frosting**: While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and salted butter until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and salt, mixing until fully combined. Gradually incorporate the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with the cold heavy cream. Beat this mixture until you achieve stiff peaks.
9. **Frost and Decorate**: Once the cookies are fully cooled, frost them with the cream cheese frosting. Add more Christmas sprinkles on top for decoration before serving.
## How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies
Serving Christmas Sugar Cookies is simple and delightful. You can present them on a beautiful platter or in festive cookie jars. Here are a few ideas on how to serve them:
- **With Drinks**: Pair your cookies with hot cocoa, coffee, or tea for a cozy snack.
- **At Parties**: Place them on a dessert table during holiday gatherings. They make an attractive and tempting option amongst other holiday treats.
- **Gift Packaging**: Give them as gifts in colorful boxes, bags, or tins. Adding a little note to your loved ones enhances the personal touch.
- **Cookie Decorating Party**: Invite friends over for a cookie decorating day. Provide different frosting colors and sprinkles so everyone can create their masterpieces.
## How to Store Christmas Sugar Cookies
Storing your Christmas Sugar Cookies properly will keep them fresh and delicious. Here are some easy storage tips:
1. **At Room Temperature**: You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last for about 1 week.
2. **In the Fridge**: If you live in a warm climate, consider storing them in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored this way.
3. **For Longer Storage**: For longer-term storage, consider freezing the cookies. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
4. **Frosting**: If you frost the cookies, keep them in the refrigerator to prevent the cream cheese from spoiling.
## Tips to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
- **Use Softened Butter**: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing. This step is crucial for fluffy cookies.
- **Don’t Overmix the Dough**: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, mix until just combined to keep the cookies tender.
- **Experiment with Flavor**: Feel free to play with flavors! Substitute almond extract for orange or lemon zest for a fruity twist.
- **Check Baking Time**: Every oven is different. Start checking your cookies at the 9-minute mark to avoid over-baking.
## Variation
You can easily customize these Christmas Sugar Cookies. Here are a few fun variations:
- **Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies**: Add chocolate chips to the dough instead of sprinkles for a chocolatey version.
- **Gingerbread Sugar Cookies**: Incorporate ginger and cinnamon spices into the dough for a holiday classic twist.
- **Gluten-Free Option**: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
## FAQs
**1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?**
Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough a day ahead. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.
**2. Can I freeze the baked cookies?**
Absolutely! Once the cookies are fully cooled, store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months.
**3. What if I don’t have cream cheese for frosting?**
If you don't have cream cheese, you can use buttercream frosting instead. Simply beat softened butter with powdered sugar and a splash of milk until smooth and creamy.
Baking Christmas Sugar Cookies is a wonderful way to embrace the holiday spirit and share joy with friends and family. Gather your ingredients, follow this simple guide, and get ready to enjoy a delicious treat that will surely become a favorite in your holiday traditions!
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Delightful, soft, and buttery cookies decorated with colorful jimmies sprinkles, perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting.
Ingredients
Method
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy for about 3-5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Fold in the Christmas sprinkles gently.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball.
Baking
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes until the edges are slightly set but the center remains soft. Watch closely to avoid over-baking.
- Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and salted butter until smooth. Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing completely.
- Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, alternating with cold heavy cream, until the mixture reaches stiff peaks.
Decoration
- Once the cookies are fully cool, frost them with the cream cheese frosting and top with additional Christmas sprinkles.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerate for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze for up to three months.