Christmas Butter Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that captures the essence of the season with every bite. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with a simple combination of butter, sugar, and flour, resulting in a soft, buttery texture that’s perfect for the holidays. Whether you’re baking them for a family gathering, to share with friends, or as part of a festive gift, these cookies never fail to impress. With their rich flavor and delicate crumb, they’re a timeless holiday classic that’s as much about tradition as it is about flavor.

What makes Christmas Butter Cookies even more special is their versatility. You can dress them up in a variety of ways—decorate them with colorful icing, sprinkles, or even edible glitter. The dough itself is easy to work with, allowing you to shape the cookies into festive forms like stars, trees, or snowflakes, or even to roll them into simple round shapes. With minimal ingredients and a few simple steps, these cookies bring joy to every kitchen they fill and are a perfect activity to enjoy with loved ones. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe will bring the holiday spirit to life in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Christmas Butter Cookies are the ideal holiday dessert: simple to make, delicious to eat, and full of festive charm. The buttery flavor combined with a slight sweetness is irresistible, making these cookies the perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of hot chocolate or a glass of milk. Their soft texture and ability to hold a variety of shapes and decorations make them a great activity for kids and adults alike, bringing everyone together in the kitchen. With their festive appearance and delightful taste, these cookies are sure to become a favorite holiday tradition in your home.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
All-purpose flour
Vanilla extract
Salt
Egg yolk

For Decorating (Optional):

Colored sprinkles
Royal icing
Sugar pearls
Edible glitter

Variations

Chocolate-Dipped Butter Cookies: Melt some dark or white chocolate and dip the edges of your cookies for a festive, extra indulgent treat.
Lemon Zest Butter Cookies: Add lemon zest to the dough for a fresh, citrusy twist on the traditional butter flavor.
Cinnamon Sugar Butter Cookies: Sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cookies before baking for a spiced variation.
Gluten-Free Butter Cookies: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour to make a gluten-free version of these cookies.
Nut Butter Cookies: Add finely chopped nuts like almonds or pecans into the dough for added texture and flavor.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. Once combined, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Gradually add the flour and salt, stirring until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to roll out and shape.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Once chilled, remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired shapes. Stars, trees, or snowflakes work wonderfully for Christmas, but feel free to get creative with any holiday-themed cutters you have on hand.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking, as you want them to remain soft and tender.

Step 5: Cool and Decorate

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or sugar pearls to add a festive touch.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once decorated, these Christmas Butter Cookies are ready to enjoy! Arrange them on a festive plate or in a holiday tin to share with loved ones.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft or sticky while rolling it out, pop it back into the fridge for another 10-15 minutes to firm it up.
Even Thickness: Roll the dough to an even thickness to ensure that all the cookies bake at the same rate.
Don’t Overbake: These cookies should just be lightly golden around the edges. Overbaking can make them too crispy.
Use Softened Butter: Make sure the butter is softened before mixing to ensure a smooth and creamy dough.
Add Fun Decorations: You can decorate the cookies with colorful icing, sugar crystals, or even edible glitter for a festive, sparkling touch.

How to Serve

Christmas Butter Cookies are perfect on their own as a sweet holiday snack, or they can be paired with other treats like hot cocoa, eggnog, or a holiday punch. They also make a great addition to a holiday cookie platter, where you can display a variety of cookies and treats for guests to enjoy. These cookies can be placed in a decorative tin or jar for gifting, making them a thoughtful homemade present for friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh, place a piece of wax paper between layers of cookies if stacking them.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! You can freeze the unbaked dough by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe bag. To bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and then roll out and cut as usual. You can also freeze the baked cookies (unfrosted) for up to 2 months. Just ensure they are in an airtight container or bag.

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you prefer them slightly warm, you can reheat them for a few seconds in the microwave. Just be sure not to overdo it, as they can lose their softness.

FAQs

1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While butter provides the best flavor and texture, margarine can be used in a pinch. However, the cookies may not be as rich.

2. Can I use a different flavor extract?

Yes, you can experiment with almond extract, lemon extract, or even peppermint extract for different flavor profiles.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

4. Can I use cookie molds instead of cookie cutters?

Yes, you can use molds to create unique shapes for your cookies. Just be sure to lightly dust them with flour before pressing the dough into the mold.

5. Can I freeze decorated cookies?

Yes, once the cookies are decorated and fully dried, you can freeze them. Just ensure they are in a single layer to avoid smudging the icing.

6. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

While whole wheat flour can be used, it will give the cookies a denser texture and a slightly different taste. For best results, stick to all-purpose flour.

7. How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Ensure your dough is chilled before rolling it out, as this will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

8. How can I decorate these cookies?

You can use royal icing, buttercream frosting, sprinkles, edible glitter, or even candy decorations to give your cookies a festive touch.

9. How can I make the cookies more crispy?

If you prefer a crispier cookie, roll the dough thinner before baking and bake a little longer until the edges are golden brown.

10. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?

Yes, chocolate chips can be added to the dough for a fun twist, making these cookies even more indulgent.

Conclusion

Christmas Butter Cookies are a holiday classic that are easy to make, customizable, and full of festive charm. With their buttery flavor and the ability to decorate them in endless ways, these cookies are a perfect addition to any holiday celebration. Whether you’re baking them to share with family and friends or gifting them in decorative tins, these cookies are sure to bring joy and sweetness to your holiday season. Happy baking!