Easy Holiday Sugar Cookies: 10 Minute Prep

Oh, the smell of Christmas baking! It just takes me right back, doesn’t it? For me, nothing says the holidays quite like a batch of perfectly decorated sugar cookies. I’ve been making these The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing for what feels like forever, and let me tell you, they’re a crowd-pleaser every single time. They have that wonderful balance – a cookie that’s crisp around the edges but still delightfully tender in the middle, just begging for some colorful icing.

These aren’t just any cookies, either. They’re sturdy enough for all your fancy cookie cutters and decorating ideas, yet so easy to whip up. We’re talking about creating little edible works of art that taste as good as they look. Get ready to make some new holiday memories – this recipe is a keeper!

Crafting The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of what makes these cookies truly special. It all starts with good ingredients, and for these sugar cookies, that means paying a little attention to the details. It’s not just about throwing things in a bowl; it’s about understanding *why* we use what we use. This recipe has been perfected over years of holiday baking, and I’ve learned that using quality ingredients really does make a difference. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Essential Ingredients for The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

When you’re making something as classic as sugar cookies, the ingredients really shine through. We want a cookie that holds its shape beautifully for decorating but also has that perfect tender bite. And for the icing? We want something sweet, smooth, and easy to work with.

For The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies

You’ll need 2 and a half cups of all-purpose flour to give our cookies structure. Then, a full cup of granulated sugar for that classic sweetness and a nice crisp edge. The star, though? A whole cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature – this is crucial for creaming properly! We also need one large egg for binding and richness, and a teaspoon of good vanilla extract for that warm, comforting flavor. Don’t forget our leavening agent, half a teaspoon of baking powder, and a quarter teaspoon of salt to balance everything out.

For The Perfect Icing

For that gorgeous, smooth icing, we’re going with 2 cups of powdered sugar – sifting it is a good idea if you want it super smooth, but it’s not totally essential. You’ll need about a quarter cup of milk to get the right consistency, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to make it extra delicious. And of course, if you’re feeling festive, some food coloring is totally optional but highly recommended for those vibrant holiday colors!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

Alright, let’s get our hands a little floured and make some magic happen! Following these steps will ensure your Christmas sugar cookies turn out absolutely perfect, every single time. It’s a process, but a really fun one, especially when the whole family gets involved.

Preparing The Best Christmas Sugar Cookie Dough

First things first, let’s get that dough made. In a big mixing bowl, cream together your softened butter and granulated sugar. You want this to be super light and fluffy, almost like pale yellow clouds. I usually use my electric mixer for this, but a good sturdy wooden spoon and some elbow grease works too! Once it’s nice and fluffy, beat in the egg and the vanilla extract until it’s all smooth and combined. In a separate bowl, give your flour, baking powder, and salt a quick whisk together – this just makes sure everything is evenly distributed. Now, here’s the trick for a good cookie: gradually add those dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix on low speed (or gently by hand) *just* until everything comes together. Seriously, don’t overmix it at this stage, or your cookies can get tough! Once it’s just combined, divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc (this makes it easier to roll later), wrap them up tight in plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is super important – it makes the dough much easier to handle and prevents your cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Baking Your Christmas Cookies to Perfection

Now that our dough is nice and chilled, it’s time to bake! Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and helps prevent sticking. Take one disc of chilled dough out of the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to about a quarter-inch thickness. If it’s sticking, just add a tiny bit more flour to your surface and rolling pin. Grab your favorite Christmas cookie cutters and get creative! Cut out all those fun shapes – gingerbread men, stars, trees, whatever makes you feel festive. Carefully place your cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between them because they do spread just a little. Now, pop them into the preheated oven and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden. Don’t overbake them! Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes – they’ll be delicate right out of the oven – then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial before you even *think* about icing them!

Crafting and Applying The Perfect Icing for Christmas Cookies

Once your cookies are totally, completely cool (I can’t stress this enough!), it’s icing time! This icing recipe is super simple and tastes amazing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Start with about a quarter cup of milk and whisk until it’s smooth. If it’s too thick, add milk a *tiny* bit at a time until it reaches your desired consistency – you want it thick enough to not run everywhere, but thin enough to spread easily. If you want thinner icing for flooding, just add a smidge more milk. For thicker icing that holds its shape for piping details, add more powdered sugar. Now for the fun part: decorating! You can use a spoon, a piping bag with a small tip, or even a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off. Dip your cookies right into the icing, or spread it on with a knife. Add sprinkles, draw little faces, get fancy with swirls – whatever your heart desires! If you’re using food coloring, add it now to get those vibrant holiday hues. Let the icing set completely before stacking or packaging your beautiful cookies!

Tips for Baking The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

Making these cookies is such a joy, and a few little tricks can make sure they turn out perfectly every time. It’s all about the details, and after years of holiday baking, I’ve picked up a few things that really help!

Achieving Perfect Dough Consistency

When you’re rolling out the dough, if it feels too sticky, just sprinkle a little more flour on your surface and your rolling pin. But be careful not to add too much, or your cookies might end up dry! If it feels too stiff and crumbly, you can try kneading it *very* gently for a few seconds – sometimes the warmth from your hands helps. Chilling the dough is honestly the biggest game-changer for handling; it really firms it up and makes it a dream to cut out shapes without them distorting.

Decorating The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies

For the icing, remember that consistency is key! If it’s too thin, your beautiful designs will just melt into a puddle. Add more powdered sugar, a teaspoon at a time, until it’s just right. If it’s too thick, a tiny splash more milk will loosen it up. Always let your icing dry completely before you even think about stacking them, or you’ll end up with a colorful mess! Sometimes I like to do a base layer of icing and let that set for a bit before adding details. It looks so professional!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

Got questions about these festive cookies? I’ve got answers! I’ve baked enough batches of these sugar cookies to know what usually comes up, so let’s dive in and make sure your holiday baking is a breeze.

Can I use a different type of sugar for The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies?

While granulated sugar is what gives these cookies their signature crispness and helps them hold their shape perfectly for decorating, you *can* experiment a little. Using brown sugar, for instance, would make them a bit chewier and give them a slight molasses flavor, which isn’t quite the classic sugar cookie taste we’re going for here. It can also affect how much they spread. For this recipe, sticking to granulated sugar is best for that classic texture and look!

How do I store The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing?

This is important for keeping them looking gorgeous! Once the icing is completely dry – and I mean *bone dry* – you can store the cookies in an airtight container. Laying them flat in a single layer is ideal, but if you need to stack them, put a layer of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer to prevent the icing from sticking to the cookie above. They’ll stay fresh and pretty for about a week at room temperature. Just avoid the fridge, as it can make the icing sticky and the cookie soft!

Nutritional Information for The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

Just a little heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? Baking is an art, and ingredients can vary a bit! But generally, you’re looking at about 180 calories per cookie with icing. That includes around 8g of fat, with about 5g of that being saturated fat. You’ll get about 25g of carbohydrates and 2g of protein. It’s a sweet treat, perfect for enjoying during the holidays!

Your Thoughts on The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing

So, have you tried making these? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear how they turned out for you! Did you go wild with the decorating, or keep it simple? Let me know your favorite cookie cutter shapes or any fun decorating tips you discovered in the comments below. Happy baking, everyone!

For more festive inspiration, check out our Pinterest page!

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