If you’re dreaming of that perfect homemade treat to fill your kitchen with the sweet aroma of the holidays, this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is just the ticket. These cookies are delightfully rich, buttery, and tender with a hint of vanilla that makes every bite melt in your mouth. Simple ingredients come together to create a classic, beautifully golden cookie that’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea beside the twinkling tree. Let me take you through how to bake these festive favorites so you can sprinkle some extra joy this season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these delicious Christmas butter cookies, you only need a handful of basic ingredients, but each one plays a vital role in creating that scrumptious texture and flavor we all crave during the holidays. These staples are easy to find and come together quickly for a no-fuss baking experience.
- Butter (1 cup, softened): The key to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich flavor.
- White sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a slight crisp on the cookie edges.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s lightness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses a warm, fragrant note that elevates the overall taste.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): Provides the structure and body, ensuring the cookies hold their shape.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Gives a gentle rise for a delicate texture.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is perfectly warmed to bake the cookies evenly and achieve that gorgeous golden color.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, whip together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air, leading to lighter, tender cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. These add moisture and bring out the cookie’s inviting aroma.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into your creamed butter blend. Take care not to overmix; just combine until the dough comes together nicely.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into small, even balls—about one inch in diameter—and place them onto ungreased cookie sheets. The size helps ensure consistent baking and that classic bite.
Step 6: Flatten with a Fork
Gently press down on each ball with a fork to flatten them. This also creates those charming fork marks that are signature to butter cookies and help them bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye as you want them just golden at the edges, not browned—this is when their flavor and texture peak.
Step 8: Cool on Wire Racks
Once baked, transfer the warm cookies carefully to wire racks to cool. This step prevents sogginess and keeps every cookie crisp and delightful.
How to Serve Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Although these cookies are perfect on their own, you can elevate them by adding colorful sprinkles, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate. These touches add festive flair and additional layers of texture that make the experience even more memorable.
Side Dishes
Serve your Christmas butter cookies alongside a cozy cup of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a classic eggnog. The creamy, buttery richness of the cookies pairs wonderfully with warm drinks, making your holiday gatherings all the more special.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider arranging your cookies on a pretty holiday platter or stacking them with festive ribbon to gift to friends and family. You can also cut the dough into fun seasonal shapes before baking—a cheerful way to add personal touches that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Christmas butter cookies stay fresh for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the raw dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a sealed bag to store for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from the freezer by adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh the cookies, warm them slightly in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked softness, making them taste like they just came out of your own oven again.
FAQs
Can I substitute any ingredients in the Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe?
While the recipe works best with the listed ingredients for traditional flavor and texture, you can try swapping white sugar for brown sugar for a slightly richer taste or using almond extract instead of vanilla for a different aroma. Just remember substitutions can affect the final result.
How do I make the cookies more festive?
Adding colored sugar, edible glitter, or decorating with icing are easy ways to make these cookies visually festive. Using cookie cutters in holiday shapes before baking also adds charm and fun.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that’s designed for baking. Be sure to check if the blend contains xanthan gum; if not, you might need to add it for the right texture.
How thick should the cookies be before baking?
Rolling the dough into small balls and flattening them gently with a fork creates an even thickness of about ¼ inch. This thickness helps them bake uniformly and keeps them tender but slightly crisp.
What’s the best way to keep cookies fresh?
Store your Christmas butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and flavor. Placing a slice of bread inside can help retain moisture, preventing the cookies from drying out.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is a wonderful way to create holiday magic in your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum joy. Each bite brings warmth and nostalgia, making it a treasured tradition to share year after year. I encourage you to gather these simple ingredients, whip up a batch, and let the festive spirit fill your home with the irresistible scent of homemade cookies.
Print
Christmas Butter 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 classic Christmas Butter Cookies are rich, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfectly sweetened and flavored with vanilla, they are easy to make and ideal for holiday gatherings or gifting. The dough is simple to prepare, rolled into balls, flattened with a fork, and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer or spoon to cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps give the cookies a light texture.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly to combine, providing moisture and enhancing the flavor of the dough.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the rising agent and seasoning throughout the dough.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until just combined, forming a soft dough.
- Shape dough balls: Roll the dough into small balls and arrange them on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them apart to allow spreading.
- Flatten dough: Use a fork to gently flatten each dough ball, creating a classic cookie pattern and helping them bake evenly.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, signaling they are done.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely, letting them set and maintain their shape.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the proper creaming texture.
- You can decorate the cookies with colored sugar before baking for a festive touch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- If you prefer, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to make handling easier.
