Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing Recipe

If you’ve been hunting for the perfect cookie that tastes as good as it looks for the holidays, you’re going to adore this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing Recipe. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to year after year because the cookies come out with that perfect balance — crisp edges, soft centers, and the simple icing that’s just dreamy to decorate with. Trust me, once you try these, your cookie game will be next level!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic really happens with straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together so beautifully. You’ll find that choosing quality butter and fresh vanilla makes a surprising difference. Bonus: the optional almond extract elevates the flavor, so don’t skip it if you can!

• All-purpose flour: Spoon and level for accuracy—this keeps the dough from becoming too dense.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies lift just enough for that soft center.
• Salt: Balances flavor, bringing out sweetness in the cookie.
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
• Granulated sugar: The classic sweetness that whitens the dough and enhances crispness.
• Egg: Room temperature eggs blend in better, yielding smoother dough.
• Pure vanilla extract: For that warm, cozy flavor we all crave during the holidays.
• Almond extract (optional): Adds a lovely aromatic note—just a small splash makes a difference.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Key for silky, smooth icing.
• Light corn syrup: Gives the icing a perfect shine and prevents it from cracking.
• Water: Used to balance and thin the icing to the right consistency.
• Gel food coloring & sprinkles (optional): For making the cookies festive and fun!

Variations

I love how versatile this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing Recipe is — and I encourage you to make it your own. Whether you want to play around with flavors or dietary tweaks, there’s something here for everyone!

• Gluten-Free Variation: I’ve swapped in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend successfully; just be sure to chill the dough a bit longer to keep the shape.
• Flavor Twists: For fun, try swapping almond extract with lemon or orange zest—it adds a lovely citrus zing perfect for a fresh holiday twist.
• Icing Texture: If you want a thicker royal icing style, reduce the water slightly, or for a glaze-like finish, add a little more water until you reach your preferred drizzling texture.
• Decorative Fun: Add crushed peppermint or edible glitter on top of the icing for an extra festive touch that always impresses guests.

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Start by combining the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to blend everything evenly. This little step ensures your cookies have a consistent texture and rise just right. I always do this first so that when I start creaming, everything is prepped and ready.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and creamy. This step is critical; it aerates your dough and sets the stage for those soft, tender cookies we all love. Pro tip: If you ever find your butter too hard, pop it in the microwave for 5-7 seconds at a time—just don’t melt it completely!

Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts

Next, add the egg, pure vanilla extract, and if you’re using it, the almond extract. Beat everything together on high speed for about a minute until fully combined. The almond extract really gives it that extra pop of flavor — I discovered this trick early on, and it quickly became a signature touch I never skip at Christmas.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir on low speed until just combined. The dough will be a bit soft at first. If it feels too sticky to handle or roll, sprinkle in an extra tablespoon of flour. You’ll want it soft but manageable — this balance helps keep your cookies soft after baking.

Step 5: Chill and Roll the Dough

Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each on lightly floured parchment to about 1/4-inch thickness. Sandwich them between parchment sheets with a light dusting of flour in between to prevent sticking, then wrap with plastic wrap or foil. Chill for 1-2 hours (or up to 2 days). This chilling step is my favorite because it makes rolling so much smoother and helps cookies hold their shape.

Step 6: Cut and Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes from the chilled dough and place them spaced about 3 inches apart on lined baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes until you see just a hint of golden edges. If you know your oven has those pesky hot spots like mine, turn the sheets halfway through baking for even color. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up the Easy Icing

In a medium bowl, stir the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, corn syrup, water, and a pinch of salt. It’ll start out super thick — switch to a whisk and add the remaining water in small increments until the icing drizzles gently and holds shape for a few seconds. This is your sweet spot for decorating! If you’re dying your icing, add gel food coloring a drop at a time. The colors will darken as they dry, so less is more here.

Step 8: Decorate Your Cookies

You can dip, pipe, or spread the icing however you prefer. I usually outline with piping bags fitted with a small tip, then flood the inside for the cleanest look. If you want to add sprinkles, sprinkle them right after icing while it’s still wet. Here’s a little secret: decorating on a baking sheet lets you slide the whole batch into the fridge to set the icing faster.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with festive sprinkles—especially red and green nonpareils or a dusting of edible glitter for holiday shimmer. When I’m feeling a little more creative, crushed peppermint candies give a refreshing crunch and seasonal scent. You can’t go wrong with classic rainbow or pearl sugar either—they add just the right pop of joy.

Side Dishes

These sugar cookies pair perfectly with a warm cup of cocoa or spiced holiday tea. I’ve also served them alongside a cheese board for Christmas parties — the sweet and savory combo is surprisingly delightful. For a kid-friendly party, milk or eggnog on the side is always a hit!

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite festive presentation ideas is to arrange the cookies on a tiered cake stand with holiday ribbon tied around the base. Another fun idea is gifting them in clear cellophane bags tied with twine and a personalized tag—it’s such a simple way to show you care. For a kids’ cookie decorating party, I set out bowls with multiple icing colors, sprinkles, and edible markers on a big table covered with parchment paper to make decorating a lively event!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your cookies are decorated and the icing has set, I like to store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days this way and remain soft and flavorful. If you live somewhere warm or humid, storing them in the refrigerator helps prolong freshness up to 10 days — just let them come to room temp before serving.

Freezing

Freezing these sugar cookies works great! I usually freeze the un-iced baked cookies in a wrapped airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then decorate as usual. If you want to freeze already decorated cookies, be sure the icing is fully hardened—wrap tightly with parchment between layers to protect decorations.

Reheating

I rarely reheat sugar cookies since they’re best enjoyed fresh or at room temperature, but if you do prefer them a bit warm, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 5-7 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, or the icing might soften too much. A quick warm-up gives a freshly baked feel without drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Christmas always feels a little sweeter with a batch of these Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing Recipe on the table. Baking them has become part of my family tradition, and I love how approachable this recipe is for every baker, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been decorating for years. Give these cookies a try — I promise the joy of biting into that buttery soft cookie with its pretty, glossy icing will quickly make this a holiday favorite in your home, too!

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