Christmas Sugar Cookies are the ultimate festive treat that everyone looks forward to during the holiday season. These soft and chewy cookies are bursting with holiday cheer, thanks to the red and green sprinkles folded into the dough and the luscious cream cheese frosting on top. Whether you’re baking with your family, planning a cookie exchange, or looking for a sweet homemade gift, this Christmas Sugar Cookies recipe is the perfect way to spread holiday joy. Get ready to turn your kitchen into a winter wonderland with these irresistible cookies!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
There are so many reasons to fall in love with these Christmas Sugar Cookies. First, their texture is unbeatable—soft in the center with just the right amount of chewiness. The festive sprinkles inside and out make them look as good as they taste. The lightly sweetened cream cheese frosting adds richness without overpowering the cookie, while the sprinkles on top bring the perfect festive touch. They’re easy to make, ideal for decorating with kids, and they hold up beautifully for gifting or holiday dessert platters.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies
- 270 g (2¼ cups) all-purpose flour
- 4 g (1 tsp) baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 170 g (1½ sticks / ¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened (68-72°F)
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 54 g (⅓ cup) Christmas jimmies sprinkles
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 283 g (1¼ bricks / 10 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 184 g (13 Tbsp) salted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) heavy cream, very cold
Topping
- 40 g (¼ cup) Christmas sprinkles (jimmies, nonpareils, trees, etc.)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two to three baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, then mix on medium-low until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies sprinkles using a spatula.
- Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough (about 48-50 g each).
- Roll each scoop into a smooth ball and arrange them on the baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Lightly flatten each dough ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, keeping the thickness at least ½ inch.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look matte but not browned.
- Immediately after baking, use a round cutter or glass slightly larger than the cookies to gently swirl around each one to achieve a perfectly round shape.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth and lump-free, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing just until combined.
- Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar in three additions, beating on low speed until fully mixed. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Gradually pour in the cold heavy cream one tablespoon at a time while whisking on low speed. Continue mixing for 1-1½ minutes until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
Assembling the Cookies
- Use a #2A or #1A piping tip to pipe the frosting in a spiral pattern starting from the center of each cookie. Alternatively, use a spatula to spread decorative swirls.
- Decorate with Christmas sprinkles just before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for a smooth dough and creamy frosting.
- Do not overbake the cookies. They should remain soft and pale.
- Chill the dough briefly if it becomes too soft to handle.
- Use a cookie cutter to reshape cookies fresh out of the oven for a perfect round shape.
- For clean piping, ensure your frosting is chilled but not too stiff.
Substitutions And Variations
- Substitute almond extract with peppermint extract for a minty holiday twist.
- Use different colored sprinkles for other holidays or themed parties.
- Swap the cream cheese frosting for royal icing if you prefer a firmer finish.
- Add a hint of lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy brightness.
- Make them gluten-free using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Storage Instructions
Store Christmas Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze, place the unfrosted cookies in a single layer in a zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature before frosting and decorating.
Nutritional Information
Each cookie (with frosting) contains approximately:
- Calories: 275
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 125mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect served with a warm mug of hot cocoa or mulled wine. Set them out on a holiday dessert tray, use them as stocking stuffers in festive bags, or include them in a holiday cookie swap. They also make a sweet edible gift wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Sugar Cookies
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before baking.
Can I freeze the cookies after frosting them? It’s best to freeze them unfrosted. Cream cheese frosting can become runny after thawing.
Why didn’t my cookies spread? If your dough is too cold, the cookies might not spread properly. Try flattening them slightly before baking.
How do I make the cookies extra festive? Mix and match different types of holiday sprinkles and consider adding food coloring to the frosting for a more vibrant presentation.
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! This recipe scales well. Just make sure to mix in batches if using a stand mixer to avoid overloading it.
Final Thoughts
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing in the holiday spirit with this Christmas Sugar Cookies recipe. These cookies bring back so many warm memories of baking with loved ones and creating festive moments together. Their soft texture, fun sprinkles, and creamy frosting make them a hit with everyone who tries them. I hope they bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to mine. Happy baking, and may your holidays be sweet, delicious, and full of cheer!
Join us on Pinterest for new mouthwatering recipes every day!
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 15 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with festive red and green sprinkles. Topped with smooth cream cheese frosting and a cheerful sprinkle finish, they’re perfect for holiday baking, cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookies:
2¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (4g) baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
⅓ cup (54g) Christmas jimmies sprinkles
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
10 oz (283g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
13 Tbsp (184g) salted butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
⅛ tsp salt
1¼ cups (150g) powdered sugar, sifted
⅓ cup (80ml) heavy cream, very cold
Topping:
¼ cup (40g) assorted Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two to three baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, then mix on medium-low until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies sprinkles using a spatula.
- Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough (about 48-50 g each).
- Roll each scoop into a smooth ball and arrange them on the baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Lightly flatten each dough ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, keeping the thickness at least ½ inch.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look matte but not browned.
- Immediately after baking, use a round cutter or glass slightly larger than the cookies to gently swirl around each one to achieve a perfectly round shape.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth and lump-free, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing just until combined.
- Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar in three additions, beating on low speed until fully mixed. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Gradually pour in the cold heavy cream one tablespoon at a time while whisking on low speed. Continue mixing for 1-1½ minutes until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
Assembling the Cookies
- Use a #2A or #1A piping tip to pipe the frosting in a spiral pattern starting from the center of each cookie. Alternatively, use a spatula to spread decorative swirls.
- Decorate with Christmas sprinkles just before serving.
Notes
Don’t overbake—cookies should stay pale and soft.
Reshape cookies right after baking with a round cutter for a perfect look.
For best frosting texture, keep cream cheese and butter at room temp but heavy cream cold.
Store unfrosted cookies in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes + Time: 5 minutes (cooling and shaping)
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American