If you’re looking to brighten up your holiday season with a delightful treat, this Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe is the perfect choice. These charming cookies not only look enchanting but also deliver a tender, buttery bite with just the right balance of sweetness. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing gifts, or simply craving a seasonal delight, this recipe brings joy with every star-shaped bite that melts in your mouth and sparkles on the cookie tray.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is all it takes to make these festive cookies truly shine. Each component plays a subtle but important role, ensuring your cookies have the perfect texture, flavor, and appearance that invite smiles all around.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie dough, providing structure and that classic soft yet sturdy crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Adds a gentle lift so your cookies aren’t too dense but delightfully light.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the buttery richness.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened: For that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor that only real butter can deliver.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping create a slight crisp along the edges once baked.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for the perfect chew.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth, making the cookies smell heavenly right out of the oven.
- Sprinkles for decoration: The festive touch that makes these star-shaped cookies pop with personality and color.
How to Make Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is key for consistent texture in each cookie.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale and fluffy. This process incorporates air, giving your cookies a tender crumb and a slight lift as they bake.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. The egg acts as a binder, while the vanilla adds an irresistible aroma and depth of flavor that makes these cookies so inviting.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry flour mixture into the wet butter mixture. Mix gently until the dough just comes together—avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and soft.
Step 5: Roll and Cut Dough
Lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to create charming shapes that truly embody the spirit of this Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe.
Step 6: Decorate
Place the star cut-outs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle your favorite colorful sprinkles over each cookie to add that joyful festive sparkle before baking.
Step 7: Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are turning a lovely light golden brown. This step is crucial to keep the cookies tender and avoid overbaking.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cool, they are ready to be enjoyed or beautifully packaged as gifts.
How to Serve Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Add an extra touch by dusting the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with white chocolate for festive waves of sweetness on top. Fresh mint leaves or edible glitter can also elevate their charm at any holiday gathering.
Side Dishes
Pair these delightful cookies with a warm cup of cocoa, mulled cider, or your favorite holiday tea. The warm drinks beautifully complement the buttery richness and sweet crunch of the cookies, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe on a rustic wooden platter or stack them neatly tied with festive ribbons for an elegant look. These little stars are also wonderful threaded onto colorful strings to create edible garlands—an enchanting way to celebrate and share.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keeping them sealed helps maintain their perfect texture—soft in the center with just the right edge crispness.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to three months. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies separated by parchment paper in an airtight container. When ready, thaw baked cookies at room temperature for a quick festive treat anytime.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave briefly for 10–15 seconds. This quick reheat brings back that fresh-from-the-oven softness and gives you that perfect comforting bite.
FAQs
Can I substitute the butter with margarine or oil?
While you can use margarine, butter provides a superior flavor and texture for this Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe. Oil is not recommended as it changes the dough’s consistency and final cookie shape.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melting and chill the dough briefly if it feels too soft before rolling it out. This helps maintain the star shapes nicely.
Can I use different shapes besides stars?
Of course! While stars add to the festive charm, this recipe works wonderfully with any cookie cutter shape you love. Feel free to get creative to match any occasion.
Are these cookies suitable for decorating with royal icing?
Yes, they provide an excellent base for detailed icing work since they hold their shape well after baking. Just make sure the cookies are fully cooled before decorating.
How long do the cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for about one week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the joy of baking and sharing these festive treats with those you love. This Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe is not only easy but incredibly rewarding, bringing a touch of magic and warmth to any celebration. So grab your cookie cutters and sprinkles, and get ready to make some sweet holiday memories!
Print
Festive Star-Shaped Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Festive Star-Shaped Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, buttery, and lightly sweet, these cookies are decorated with colorful sprinkles to add a cheerful and fun touch. Easy to make, they are ideal for baking with family or for gifting during festive occasions.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside for later.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Roll and cut dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to an even thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies from the dough.
- Arrange and decorate: Place the cut-out star cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the tops with colorful sprinkles as decoration.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool before serving: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve once cooled.
Notes
- For best results, make sure butter is softened but not melted.
- You can substitute vanilla extract with almond or lemon extract for different flavor profiles.
- The dough can be chilled for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading during baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Slightly underbake cookies if you prefer a softer texture.
