Magical Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Every holiday season brings memories of warm, golden Christmas butter cookies that melt on your tongue.

These delicate treats connect us to cherished childhood moments.

Sweet butter forms the heart of this classic recipe, creating a rich and comforting flavor profile.

Grandmothers worldwide have perfected these simple yet magical cookies through generations.

Each batch tells a story of love and tradition passed down carefully.

The simple ingredients promise a nostalgic experience that sparks joy.

Sharing these delightful morsels with loved ones around a twinkling tree.

Let’s bake something special that will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Perfect Pairings For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Pair with Festive Hot Cocoa: Warm, rich hot chocolate perfectly complements these buttery Christmas cookies. The creamy chocolate highlights the cookie's delicate vanilla notes and provides a cozy holiday comfort.
• Match with Spiced Mulled Wine: A warm, aromatic mulled wine with cinnamon and orange zest creates a delightful contrast to the sweet, crisp cookies. The spicy undertones elevate the cookie's delicate flavor profile.
• Serve alongside Creamy Eggnog: Smooth, velvety eggnog brings out the rich butter essence of the cookies. Its classic holiday flavor creates a nostalgic and indulgent dessert experience that feels like pure Christmas magic.
• Complement with Peppermint Tea: Light, refreshing peppermint tea cuts through the cookie's richness, providing a clean palate cleanser. The cool mint flavor adds a festive twist that perfectly captures the holiday spirit.

New Takes On Christmas Butter Cookies

• Festive Chocolate Swirl: Blend melted dark chocolate into half the dough, creating marbled cookies with rich chocolate ribbons throughout.
• Nutty Winter Crunch: Fold chopped pecans or almonds into the dough, adding extra texture and warm, roasted flavor to traditional butter cookies.
• Citrus Holiday Sparkle: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the dough, then top with white chocolate drizzle and candied citrus peel for bright, refreshing notes.
• Spiced Nordic Style: Mix ground cardamom or cinnamon into the cookie dough, giving a warm, aromatic Scandinavian-inspired variation with traditional holiday spices.

FAQs About Christmas Butter Cookies

• What makes these Christmas butter cookies special?

These butter cookies are a classic holiday treat that’s easy to make and incredibly versatile. You can drop, roll, or pipe them, making them perfect for any Christmas celebration or cookie exchange.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for 2-3 days before baking. This is great for planning ahead during the busy holiday season.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

Not really! While a piping bag with a star tip can create fancy shapes, you can easily make these cookies with just basic kitchen tools like a mixing bowl, baking sheet, and a glass for flattening drop cookies.

• How can I ensure my cookies turn out perfectly?

The key is to use softened butter and not overwork the dough. Mix until just combined, and be careful not to overbake. Watch for lightly golden edges, which indicate the cookies are done.

Why Christmas Butter Cookies Are A Must-Bake

• Festive Flavor Explosion: These Christmas butter cookies burst with rich, buttery sweetness that captures the warm, nostalgic essence of holiday baking in every delightful bite.
• Versatile Decorating Adventure: Bakers can explore three exciting shaping methods – drop, rolled, or piped – allowing creativity to shine through with different designs, sprinkles, and decorative techniques perfect for personalized holiday treats.
• Quick and Easy Celebration: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies are beginner-friendly and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal recipe for busy families or last-minute holiday gatherings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Tradition: Soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and classic vanilla flavor ensure these cookies will become a beloved seasonal tradition that appeals to both kids and adults, bringing joy and sweetness to Christmas celebrations.

What You’ll Need For Christmas Butter Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter: The rich, creamy base that gives cookies their tender texture and delicious flavor. Best when softened at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, delicate sweetness and helps achieve a light, tender cookie texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the cookies, providing a classic tender crumb. Sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that makes these cookies irresistibly delicious. Pure vanilla gives the best taste.

• Holiday Sprinkles, Colored Sugar: Adds festive color and extra fun to the Christmas cookies.
• Royal Icing, Melted Chocolate: Provides additional decoration and a special finishing touch to the cookies.

How To Bake Christmas Butter Cookies At Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab your baking sheets and give them a comfy lining with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Whip Up the Butter Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, grab your electric mixer and transform the softened butter and powdered sugar into a dreamy, cloud-like blend. Beat them together until they’re light, fluffy, and looking irresistible.

Step 3: Splash in Some Vanilla Magic

Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until it’s completely merged with the buttery goodness.

Step 4: Create the Cookie Dough

Gradually fold in the sifted flour and salt. Use your mixer on low speed, watching the mixture transform into a soft, delectable dough. Don’t overmix – keep it gentle!

Step 5: Shape Your Cookie Adventure

Choose your cookie style:

• Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the baking sheet
• Gently flatten with a glass bottom

• Chill the dough for half an hour
• Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness
• Unleash your inner artist with holiday cookie cutters

• Transfer dough to a piping bag with a star tip
• Create beautiful rosettes and swirls directly on the baking sheet

Step 6: Add Some Festive Flair

• Holiday sprinkles
• Colored sugar
• Festive decorations

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 8: Optional Glamorous Finish

• Royal icing
• Melted chocolate drizzle
• Any creative topping that makes your heart sing

Simple Tips For Christmas Butter Cookies

• Soften Butter Strategically: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the perfect creamy consistency without melting.
• Master Dough Texture: Avoid overmixing after adding flour to prevent tough, dense cookies that lose their delicate Christmas charm.
• Choose Decorating Techniques: Experiment with different piping tips, sprinkle varieties, and icing designs to create unique and personalized holiday treats.
• Storage Smart: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze undecorated cookies for extended enjoyment during the holiday season.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain the cookies' tender texture and festive appeal.

How To Store And Reheat Christmas Butter Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cooled Christmas butter cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep cookies fresh for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing their delicate texture and buttery flavor.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture changes.
• Revive: Warm slightly stale cookies in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their crisp edges and soft center. Let cool completely before enjoying.

Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas butter cookies bring joy to holiday gatherings with their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Buttery goodness and sweet memories combine in these simple yet irresistible treats you’ll cherish and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (100 g) powdered sugar, sifted

Flavoring and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decoration:

• Holiday sprinkles
• Colored sugar
• Royal icing (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by positioning the oven rack in the center and heating to 350F (175C). Cover baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring a smooth, non-stick surface.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth, creamy texture that takes approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Introduce vanilla extract to the butter mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic flavor evenly throughout the dough.
4. Gently fold sifted flour and salt into the creamy base, using low-speed mixing to prevent overmixing and maintain a delicate, tender cookie texture.
5. Choose your preferred cookie style: drop method involves scooping rounded tablespoons onto prepared sheets and gently flattening; rolled technique requires chilling dough for 30 minutes before rolling to 1/4-inch thickness and cutting festive shapes; piping approach uses a star-tipped bag to create elegant rosettes and swirls directly on the baking surface.
6. Embellish cookie surfaces with holiday sprinkles, sparkling colored sugar, or decorative elements that enhance the Christmas spirit.
7. Slide trays into the preheated oven and bake until cookie edges transform into a delicate golden hue, typically 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
8. After complete cooling, elevate the cookie presentation by drizzling with royal icing or melted chocolate, adding a sophisticated and festive final touch to your Christmas treats.

Notes

• Butter temperature matters significantly for achieving the perfect cookie texture, so let softened butter should be at room temperature but not melty.
• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains crisp cookie shapes, especially for cut-out designs.
• For gluten-free variations, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar texture and taste.
• Reduce sugar content by 25% if you prefer less sweetness, which works well without compromising the cookie’s delicate structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg