Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please see our affiliate disclosure.
The holiday season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. Among the many festive treats, Christmas cookies hold a special place in our hearts and homes. These delightful vanilla biscuits, also known as sugar cookies, are not just a dessert; they’re a canvas for creativity, a tradition to share, and a delicious way to spread cheer.
This recipe for Christmas Cookies is incredibly versatile, yielding tender, buttery vanilla biscuits that are perfect for cutting into festive shapes and decorating. Whether you prefer them thin and crispy or thick and soft, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends. Get ready to preheat your oven and fill your kitchen with the sweet scent of vanilla and holiday magic!
Making these cookies is a fantastic activity for all ages, especially when it comes to the decorating part. From simple icing sugar dustings to elaborate royal icing designs, the possibilities are endless. So gather your ingredients, put on some festive tunes, and let’s bake some unforgettable Christmas memories!
Ingredients
To create these wonderful Christmas cookies, you willóneed a few simple ingredients. Start with 225g / 1 cup unsalted butter, softened. If you’re using salted butter, simply omit the additional salt. You’ll also need 1 cup caster/superfine sugar, though granulated or ordinary white sugar works perfectly fine too. For that signature flavor, don’t forget 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. A single large egg (55-60g / 1.9-2oz) helps bind everything together. The dry ingredients include 3 cups plain/all-purpose flour, 3/4 tsp baking powder for a slight lift, and 3/4 tsp salt to balance the sweetness. And of course, for decorating, prepare your favorite Icing for Sugar Cookies!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. For perfect baking sheets, consider using a reliable non-stick baking sheet set.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or a sturdy stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy. This usually takes about 1 minute on medium-high speed (speed 5).
Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Continue to beat until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Begin mixing slowly until the flour is mostly incorporated, then increase the speed and beat until the dough just comes together. It will look clumpy and crumbly at this stage.
Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the floured surface. Pat the dough together, then divide it in half and shape each half into a flat disc. For smooth rolling, a quality wooden rolling pin is essential.
Roll out one disc of dough to your desired thickness: 0.3cm / 1/8″ for thinner, crispier cookies, or 0.6cm / 1/4″ for thicker, softer cookies. Remember to sprinkle flour both under and over the dough to prevent sticking. Repeat with the second disc.
Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to press out festive shapes. Carefully transfer these shapes to your prepared baking sheets using a knife or a thin spatula. Any dough that doesn’t fit on the baking sheets should be kept in the fridge to maintain its consistency.
Bake for 10 minutes, making sure to swap the trays halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. The cookies are ready when their surface is pale golden, and the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden color.
Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on the baking trays. They will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat and firm up as they cool. Once cool, they are ready for decorating.
For decorating, you have several options: use a prepared Icing for Christmas Cookies, melt some chocolate and dip the cookie surface, dot with icing sugar and decorate with silver balls, or simply dust with icing sugar. These sweet vanilla biscuits are also wonderful eaten plain, just as they are! A good quality pure vanilla extract truly makes a difference.
Christmas Cookies! (Vanilla Biscuits/Sugar Cookies)
Ingredients
- 225g / 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or use salted, skip salt)
- 1 cup caster/superfine sugar (granulated/ordinary white sugar ok too)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg (55-60g / 1.9-2oz)
- 3 cups flour, plain / all purpose
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Icing for Sugar Cookies
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and creamy. This usually takes about 1 minute on medium-high speed (speed 5).
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Continue to beat until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Begin mixing slowly until the flour is mostly incorporated, then increase speed and beat until the dough just comes together. It will look clumpy and crumbly at this stage.
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the floured surface. Pat the dough together, then divide it in half and shape each half into a flat disc.
- Roll out one disc of dough to your desired thickness: 0.3cm / 1/8″ for thinner, crispier cookies, or 0.6cm / 1/4″ for thicker, softer cookies. Remember to sprinkle flour both under and over the dough to prevent sticking. Repeat with the second disc.
- Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to press out festive shapes. Carefully transfer these shapes to your prepared baking sheets using a knife or a thin spatula. Any dough that doesn’t fit on the baking sheets should be kept in the fridge to maintain its consistency.
- Bake for 10 minutes, making sure to swap the trays halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. The cookies are ready when their surface is pale golden and the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden color.
- Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on the baking trays. They will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat and firm up as they cool. Once cool, they are ready for decorating.
- Decorating options: Icing – see Icing for Christmas Cookies recipe.
- Decorating options: Melt chocolate then dip the surface into chocolate.
- Decorating options: Dot with icing sugar and decorated with silver balls
- Decorating options: Dust with icing sugar
- Decorating options: Serve plain! They are sweet vanilla biscuits so they are wonderful eaten just as they are!
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like the joy of baking and sharing homemade Christmas cookies during the festive season. These vanilla biscuits are a timeless classic, offering a perfect blend of buttery sweetness and delicate vanilla flavor that appeals to everyone. Their sturdy yet tender texture makes them ideal for all sorts of holiday decorating, from simple glazes to elaborate designs. For more delightful baking ideas, check out Allrecipes.com.
Whether you’re baking them for a cookie exchange, as gifts, or simply to enjoy with a warm cup of cocoa by the fire, these Christmas cookies are sure to bring smiles and create lasting memories. So go ahead, embrace the holiday spirit, and get baking! You might also enjoy other festive recipes from Cuisine Alouette.
We hope this recipe becomes a cherished part of your holiday traditions. Don’t forget to explore our other delicious recipes like The Ultimate Cheese Ball Recipe or Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce for more culinary inspiration. Happy baking and happy holidays!
