If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, this Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe is your perfect holiday companion. These buttery, tender cookies with a crisp edge are just begging to be decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles, bringing holiday cheer straight from your kitchen to the hearts of everyone who tastes them. Whether you’re baking with kids or hosting a festive cookie swap, this recipe offers a timeless and delightful way to celebrate the season with sweetness and style.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe relies on simple, everyday ingredients, each chosen to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the rich, creamy butter that forms the base to the powdered sugar that sweetens the icing, every element contributes to an irresistible festive cookie experience.
- Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter ensures easy creaming for that tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp edge on the cookies.
- Large eggs: Bind the dough together while adding moisture and richness.
- Pure vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with warm, aromatic notes essential to holiday baking.
- Almond extract (optional): Gives a subtle nutty depth that makes these cookies feel extra special.
- All-purpose flour: The main structure-builder, delivers the perfect balance of chew and crisp.
- Baking powder: Provides a delicate lift so the cookies stay light instead of dense.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Powdered sugar: Creates that smooth, sweet icing perfect for decorating.
- Milk: Thins out the icing for easy spreading or piping.
- Light corn syrup: Makes the icing shiny and helps it harden to a smooth finish.
- Gel food coloring (optional): Adds vibrant pops of festive color to your cookies.
- Sprinkles (optional): For an extra sprinkle of holiday magic and texture.
How to Make Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by creaming the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. This is the foundation of your cookie dough, and getting a light and fluffy texture here means your cookies will bake up tender and perfect.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts
Next, mix in the eggs, pure vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until everything is beautifully combined. These ingredients add moisture and a fragrant depth that make the cookies taste like holiday magic.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Now, add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together—over-mixing can make cookies tough, so a gentle touch is key.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a round ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and pop it into the fridge for at least two hours. This chilling step firms the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut clean shapes without sticking or losing detail.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick—simple prep for flawless baking!
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters—classic Christmas shapes like stars, trees, and snowmen bring an extra festive vibe to your kitchen.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a bit apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn a golden brown. They’ll be soft initially but firm up as they cool.
Step 8: Prepare the Icing
While your cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. This icing is sweet, glossy, and perfect for decorating your festive creations.
Step 9: Add Color to Your Icing
Divide the icing into bowls if you want multiple colors. Stir in gel food coloring a drop at a time until you reach your desired shades—just enough color to brighten those cookies without watering down the sweetness.
Step 10: Decorate and Add Sprinkles
Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off to outline and flood your cookies with icing. While still wet, sprinkle on your festive decorations. Let them dry for about two hours so the icing hardens into a smooth, shiny finish ready for gifting or snacking!
How to Serve Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
After decorating, don’t be shy with festive garnishes like colored sugar, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes. They add texture and that extra pop of holiday sparkle that makes these cookies stand out on any plate.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate or a classic eggnog. The creamy drinks complement the sweet, buttery cookies perfectly, creating a cozy holiday pairing everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the cookie jar: arrange your Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe on a tiered platter with fresh pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks or package them in cute holiday boxes tied with ribbon for thoughtful handmade gifts. Presentation can turn a simple cookie into a cherished holiday tradition.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and decorated, store your Christmas cutout cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for about a week, perfect for nibbling throughout the holiday season.
Freezing
You can freeze undecorated cookie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months. Cookies freeze well after baking too—just layer them between parchment paper in a sealed container to avoid any breakage.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat these cookies to enjoy them. If desired, pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften slightly, but they shine best fresh or at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I make this Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the unsalted butter with a plant-based butter alternative and use a suitable milk substitute in the icing to keep it dairy-free without sacrificing flavor or texture.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before rolling is crucial for controlling spreading. Also, avoid using too much butter or sugar and ensure your oven is fully preheated for proper baking.
What’s the best way to roll out the dough evenly?
Use rolling pin guides or two wooden dowels of the same thickness to ensure your dough is rolled out evenly, about ¼ inch thick for perfect results every time.
Can I use a different extract instead of almond?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of almond extract, vanilla on its own works beautifully. You could also try a small amount of peppermint extract for a seasonal twist.
How long will the decorated cookies stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for up to one week. Avoid refrigerating as that can dry them out.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about baking and decorating your own Christmas cutout cookies, turning simple ingredients into festive works of edible art. This Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe captures all the joy and flavor of the season, making it a wonderful tradition to share year after year. So gather your favorite cutters, dust off that rolling pin, and get ready to create delicious memories that everyone will adore!
Print
Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 42 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These classic Christmas Cutout Cookies are buttery, soft, and perfect for holiday decorating. Made with simple ingredients, this recipe yields beautifully shaped cookies that are easy to frost and decorate with festive icing and sprinkles. Ideal for holiday gatherings or as a fun baking activity with family and friends.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226 grams, room temperature, 2 sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- 2 large eggs (100 grams, room temperature)
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (6 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (1 gram, optional)
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour (390 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (4 grams)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (3 grams)
Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar (339 grams)
- 2 tablespoons milk (28 grams)
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (39 grams)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (2 grams)
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs, pure vanilla extract, and optional almond extract into the creamed mixture. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined and the batter is smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until the dough just comes together without overworking it.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a round ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This step firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to a ¼-inch thickness, ensuring even thickness for consistent baking.
- Cut Cookie Shapes: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes from the rolled dough. Carefully transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking which can dry out the cookies.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Prepare the Icing: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat together the powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy, perfect for piping and spreading.
- Color the Icing (Optional): Divide the icing into separate bowls and stir in a few drops of gel food coloring to create desired shades for decorating.
- Decorate the Cookies: Use a piping bag with a tip or a sealable plastic bag with the corner cut off to pipe the icing onto the cooled cookies. Immediately add sprinkles if desired. Allow the icing to harden, which takes about 2 hours.
Notes
- Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading while baking.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing colors without altering the icing consistency.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For softer cookies, reduce the baking time slightly;
- Optional almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor that enhances the vanilla.
