If you’ve ever wanted to capture the very essence of holiday warmth and festive cheer in cookie form, this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These delicate, buttery treats melt in your mouth with just the right hint of vanilla, making them an irresistible classic for the season. They are crisp around the edges and tender inside, perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting in a festive tin. Whether you decorate with chocolate and sprinkles or keep them elegantly simple, these cookies bring a smile to every face and add a special sparkle to your Christmas celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe requires simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create pure magic. Each component plays a crucial role in the final texture and flavor, making these cookies buttery, tender, and perfectly sweet.
- 2 ¼ cups flour: The base ingredient that gives structure to the cookies.
- ½ tsp salt: Enhances flavor, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides the rich, creamy texture that defines butter cookies.
- 2 egg yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the dough together.
- ¾ cup sugar: Sweetens the cookies without overpowering the buttery flavor.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic notes perfect for the holidays.
- 1-2 tbsp milk (optional): A little moisture if needed for easier piping, depending on dough consistency.
- Optional: melted chocolate & sprinkles for decoration: Adds festive flair and extra deliciousness.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix flour and salt
Start by whisking together the flour and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the salt is evenly distributed, which will subtly enhance the cookie flavor without any surprise salty spots. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key to creating the perfect crumbly texture and helps incorporate air, which makes the cookies tender. It usually takes 3 to 5 minutes, so be patient and enjoy the creamy transformation.
Step 3: Add egg yolks and vanilla; mix well
Next, add the egg yolks and vanilla extract into your fluffy butter-sugar mixture. Beat until everything is combined into a smooth, luscious base that will carry the classic buttery flavor throughout each cookie bite.
Step 4: Stir in flour mixture until just combined
Gradually fold in the flour mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can develop gluten and make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour. If the dough feels too stiff to pipe, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk gradually to achieve the perfect consistency.
Step 5: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
While you finish up the dough, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 6: Pipe 1½-inch swirls on a parchment-lined pan
Fit a piping bag with a star tip and fill it with the cookie dough. Pipe beautiful 1½-inch swirls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each to allow for slight spreading. This shaping step is part of what makes these butter cookies so festive and charming.
Step 7: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t overbrown. The edges should turn a light golden color while the centers remain soft—this balance is what gives the perfect bite.
Step 8: Cool, dip in melted chocolate, and sprinkle
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Then, if you like, dip them halfway in melted chocolate and decorate with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. The chocolate adds a rich element that mingles beautifully with the buttery cookie base.
How to Serve Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkles are a fun, easy way to dress up your Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe, especially if you want to add pops of red, green, gold, or silver to your holiday spread. You can also get creative with drizzled white chocolate or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect that feels very festive and homemade.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa, eggnog, or even your favorite holiday tea. A bowl of fresh berries or a small cheese platter can also complement the richness of the butter cookies, balancing sweetness with bright or savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Gift your cookies in a beautiful tin lined with festive parchment paper or build an edible platter with layers of cookies and complementary treats like nuts or dried fruit. You could even create a cookie decorating station at your holiday gathering, letting friends and family add their own chocolate and sprinkle designs for an interactive, joyful experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect to bake ahead for holiday parties or gift-giving.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies well in advance, you can freeze the unbaked piped dough on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
While these cookies are best enjoyed fresh, you can gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes to recapture that freshly baked warmth and soften the edges if they have hardened.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can, but reduce the added salt in the recipe or omit it entirely to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.
Why is my cookie dough too dry to pipe?
If your dough feels dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time while mixing until it reaches a smooth, pipeable consistency. Different brands of flour and butter can affect moisture levels.
Can I substitute the vanilla extract with another flavor?
Absolutely! Almond or peppermint extract can add a lovely twist, especially great for the holiday season. Just use the same amount as vanilla.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melting, and avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added. Chilling the dough briefly before piping can also help control spreading.
Is it necessary to dip the cookies in chocolate?
Not at all! Dipping in chocolate and adding sprinkles is optional but adds a festive look and extra flavor if you want to dress them up.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is a true holiday treasure—simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and stunning results every time. They bring a warmth and joy to the holiday table that’s hard to beat. I can’t wait for you to try them and watch your friends and family fall in love with every buttery, festive bite!
Print
Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Christmas Butter Cookies, featuring a rich, buttery flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly piped into elegant swirls, these festive treats are easy to bake and can be beautifully decorated with melted chocolate and sprinkles for holiday cheer.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk (optional)
Optional Decorations
- Melted chocolate
- Festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolks and vanilla; mix well: Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Continue beating until the ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Stir in flour mixture until just combined: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C): Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pipe 1½-inch swirls on a parchment-lined pan: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip or your preferred nozzle, pipe 1½-inch diameter swirls of dough evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool, dip in melted chocolate, and sprinkle: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, optionally dip cookies into melted chocolate and decorate with festive sprinkles to add a holiday touch.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming.
- If dough feels too stiff, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to help achieve the right consistency for piping.
- Use a piping bag with a star tip for classic cookie swirls.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well; thaw before decorating.
