Best Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies with Frosting

Ah, Christmas cookies — the one time of year when calories don’t count (right?). There’s just something magical about pulling a tray of soft, buttery sugar cookies out of the oven while “Jingle Bell Rock” plays in the background. These cookies aren’t just treats; they’re little edible hugs that smell like vanilla, butter, and joy.

I’ve tested (and eaten) more batches of sugar cookies than I care to admit — and trust me, this recipe makes the softest, fluffiest, and most melt-in-your-mouth cookies you’ll ever bake. So, grab your apron, some sprinkles, and your holiday spirit — let’s bake the best Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies you’ve ever had.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ever bite into a cookie that looked good but crunched like a cracker? Yeah… that’s not what we’re doing here. These sugar cookies are soft in the center, lightly golden on the edges, and stay pillowy for days (if they last that long).

Here’s what makes them stand out:

• No chilling required! Yep, you can go from mixing bowl to oven in under 20 minutes.
• Perfectly soft texture — thanks to a special combo of butter, cream cheese, and just the right amount of flour.
• Customizable — decorate them with icing, colored sugar, or just a dusting of powdered snow (aka confectioners’ sugar).
• Make-ahead friendly — you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies.

Honestly, they’re so easy that even your cat could probably make them (if they had thumbs).

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients. Nothing fancy — just your classic pantry staples and a couple of Christmas upgrades.

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but gives that bakery magic)

For Decorating:

• Royal icing or buttercream (your call)
• Sprinkles, colored sugar, or edible glitter (because Christmas = sparkle ✨)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, time to bake! Grab that mixing bowl and preheat the oven — we’re about to make your kitchen smell like a Hallmark movie.

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until combined.

Step 3: Combine and Mix

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until a dough forms — don’t overmix or you’ll lose that softness.

Step 4: Roll and Cut

Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters — stars, trees, or snowflakes all work beautifully.

Step 5: Bake

Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. You want the edges just barely golden.

Step 6: Decorate Like a Pro

Once cooled, unleash your inner artist! Pipe icing, add sprinkles, and maybe even get the kids involved. (Fair warning: your kitchen will look like a glitter bomb went off.)

Tips for the Softest Sugar Cookies Ever

Want to guarantee perfect cookies every time? Here are my favorite pro tips:

1. Don’t overbake! Take them out when they still look pale — they’ll firm up as they cool.
2. Use cream cheese. It keeps them soft longer and adds that dreamy richness.
3. Keep dough slightly thick. Thin cookies bake up crispy; thicker dough = pillowy texture.
4. Add almond extract. That tiny splash gives bakery-level flavor.

How to Store & Freeze

These cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

To freeze:

• Freeze baked cookies (undecorated) for up to 2 months.
• Or freeze dough discs wrapped tightly in plastic.
• Thaw at room temperature before rolling and baking.

My Take on These Cookies

IMO, these cookies are Christmas. Every year, I make a batch with my family — flour everywhere, music blasting, someone always eating the dough (definitely not me 😇). They’re simple, comforting, and just plain fun.

So, whether you’re baking for Santa or your own midnight snack stash, these Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies will be the star of your dessert table.

Variations to Try

Feeling adventurous? Try these fun twists:

• Peppermint Sugar Cookies: Add crushed candy canes to the dough.
• Lemon Vanilla Cookies: Swap almond extract for lemon zest and juice.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Frosted Sandwich Cookies: Spread icing between two cookies for a soft, sweet sandwich.

Nutritional Info (Per Cookie)

Final Thoughts

There’s something so special about baking soft sugar cookies at Christmas — it’s nostalgic, cozy, and guaranteed to make your house smell amazing.

So preheat that oven, throw on some Mariah Carey, and let’s make Christmas delicious.

Happy baking — and don’t forget to save a few cookies for Santa (or, you know, yourself 😉).

Best Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies with Frosting

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• Author: Chef Sofia
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft, buttery Christmas sugar cookies that stay tender and delicious for days.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

3 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract

Royal icing, sprinkles for decorating

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Instructions

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

2. Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

4. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.

5. Roll dough ¼ inch thick, cut into shapes.

6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.

7. Cool completely before decorating.

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze undecorated cookies or dough for up to 2 months.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 25mg