There’s just something magical about biting into a perfectly frosted Christmas sugar cookie, and this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing has long been my go-to for cheerful holiday baking. Imagine tender, buttery cookies, delicately crisp around the edges with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center, all dressed up in vibrant icing and festive sprinkles. These cookies are as fun to make as they are to share—ideal for cookie swaps, edible gifts, or cozying up with a mug of hot cocoa. Whether you’re a seasoned holiday baker or just getting started, this recipe takes you through the steps for beautifully decorated treats that always impress.

Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are simple, but every one plays a key role in shaping the heavenly flavor, soft texture, and bright appearance of the cookies. From classic pantry staples to a few optional extras, you’ll be on your way to decorating batches of holiday joy.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, giving just the right structure and soft bite.
Baking powder: Adds a bit of lift, keeping the cookies tender instead of dense.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
Unsalted butter: The secret to a rich, perfectly creamy and buttery cookie dough.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness and that classic sugar cookie texture.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together for a cohesive dough.
Pure vanilla extract: Infuses each bite with warm, comforting aroma.
Almond extract (optional): Just a touch intensifies the flavor and gives these cookies an edge people always remember!
Confectioners’ sugar: Essential for the smooth, glossy, and effortlessly spreadable icing.
Additional vanilla extract for icing: Brings another layer of flavor to the decoration.
Light corn syrup: Makes the icing shiny and keeps it soft enough to bite through.
Room temperature water: Adjusts the consistency of the icing until it’s just right for decorating.
Pinch of salt (optional for icing): Rounds out the flavors so the icing is tasty, not just sweet.
Gel food coloring & sprinkles (optional): Unleash your creativity for the most eye-catching cookies!

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Timing

Before you reach for the mixing bowls, make sure you have a few hours and plenty of counter space. This recipe involves chilling the dough, cooling the cookies, and letting the icing set—so a little bit of patience goes a long way. Plan for extra time if you want the icing fully hardened for gift-giving or stacking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This blends the leavening and salt evenly, ensuring every cookie bakes up perfectly tender and flavorful.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Get out your stand mixer (or handheld electric mixer), and beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on high until they’re pale, smooth, and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This step is key for cookies that are soft yet not too crumbly. Add in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and beat again until everything is smooth and combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly mix your dry mixture into the bowl with the butter and sugar. Blend on low just until a soft dough forms. If it feels a bit too sticky to roll, add up to one extra tablespoon of flour. You’re aiming for dough that comes together but still feels soft.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Split the dough in half and shape each piece into a disk. On a lightly floured surface (or parchment paper), roll out each disk to about 1/4-inch thickness. Stack the disks with a piece of parchment in between, cover, and chill in the fridge for at least 1–2 hours. Chilling keeps the cookies from spreading and makes them easy to cut into crisp shapes.

Step 6: Cut and Bake

Once the dough is firm, preheat the oven to 350°F. Working with one disk at a time, use your favorite cookie cutters to make festive shapes, rerolling scraps as needed. Arrange the cut-outs on lined baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for 11–12 minutes until the edges just start turning golden. Let cookies cool 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a rack.

Step 7: Make the Icing

In a bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, corn syrup, most of the water, and a pinch of salt. Start with a fork, then switch to a whisk—this icing gets thick! Adjust with extra water to reach the right ribbon-like consistency: when you lift the whisk, the icing should hold a shape for a few seconds before melting back in. Color as desired using gel coloring.

Step 8: Decorate to Your Heart’s Content

This is the fun part! Dip cookies straight into the icing, or use piping bags, squeeze bottles, or toothpicks to outline and fill intricate designs. Sprinkle on decorations right after icing, while it’s still wet. Get creative—the best Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing is all about expressing holiday cheer!

Step 9: Let the Icing Set

Patience pays off here. For picture-perfect cookies, let the icing dry completely—this takes about 24 hours at room temperature. If you’re short on time, you can pop the baking sheet into the fridge to help speed things up a bit. Once dry, the cookies are ready to stack, gift, or gobble up.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

Garnishes

The magic in cookie decorating is all about the details! Once you’ve applied icing, scatter on holiday sprinkles, colored sugars, edible glitter, or pearlized dragees for extra sparkle. A dusting of edible gold or silver adds a touch of elegance to your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing.

Side Dishes

Serve these cheerful cookies with mugs of rich hot chocolate, spiced cider, or even a cozy tea. They’re wonderful alongside a tray of assorted treats like peppermint bark, fudge, or snowball cookies—perfect for holiday parties or a family movie night.

Creative Ways to Present

Box up your cookies in festive tins, cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or arrange them on a pretty platter for a homemade hostess gift. For a fun activity, set out an icing-and-sprinkle “DIY cookie bar” and let everyone create their own edible masterpiece—great for kids’ parties or family gatherings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your decorated Christmas sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you need them to last longer, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days—just let them come to room temp for best flavor and texture before serving.

Freezing

You can freeze both the unbaked dough and the finished cookies without a hitch! Wrap dough tightly and freeze for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge and roll as usual. For baked cookies (plain or decorated), layer with parchment in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months as well.

Reheating

There’s really no need to reheat sugar cookies, but if you love the just-baked softness, pop a cookie in the microwave for just 5 to 10 seconds—just enough to make them extra tender before enjoying. Decorated cookies should be gently handled so the icing stays pristine.

FAQs

How do I know if my icing consistency is right?

You’ll know your icing is perfect when you lift your whisk and the icing forms ribbons that hold their shape for a few seconds before settling back in. Too thick? Add a drop more water. Too thin? A spoonful of confectioners’ sugar will fix that quickly.

Can I use cookie cutters with intricate designs?

Absolutely! This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing keeps its shape beautifully. Just lightly flour your cutter and work quickly while the dough is still cold from the fridge.

Is the almond extract necessary?

Not at all, but it does give these cookies a signature bakery-style flavor. If you’re baking for nut allergies, just leave it out and maybe bump up the vanilla a touch.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, and it’s a great idea. You can make and chill the dough or bake the cookies a day or two ahead, then decorate when you’re ready. The icing also needs time to set, so making them ahead is very helpful for busy holidays.

How do I get stark white icing?

For pure white icing, omit the vanilla extract and use only water in the icing recipe. This gives you a brilliant blank canvas for bright food coloring or elegant minimalist cookies.

Final Thoughts

With this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing, you’re ready to bake up a storm and spread some serious holiday joy. These cookies never fail to bring smiles, and the decorating possibilities are endless. Give them a try—you might even start a delicious new holiday tradition!