Soft Christmas Cookies

The holiday season turns even small kitchen moments into little celebrations. One chilly December afternoon, the scent of sugar and butter filled the house as I prepared a batch of soft Christmas cookies. The dough came together quickly, a buttery, sweet mix with a hint of almond, while colorful festive sprinkles waited to add their cheerful touch. My kids hovered by the counter, suggesting which colors to use, their excitement growing with each cookie shaped.

When the first tray came out of the oven, the edges were lightly golden and the centers tender and pillowy. Each bite offered a perfect balance of sweetness and softness, inviting second helpings and smiles around the kitchen table.

By the end of the afternoon, the cookies were gone, leaving behind the lingering warmth and aroma of the season. Baking these soft Christmas cookies brought a simple, joyful magic to the home, easy to make, fun to decorate, and irresistible to share.

Short Description

Soft Christmas Cookies tender, buttery cookies with festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday snacking or gifting.

Key Ingredients

For the Dough

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups white sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

For Decoration

• 1 ½ cups festive sprinkles

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowls

• Electric mixer

• Spatula

• Baking sheets

• Parchment paper

• Cooling rack

• Measuring cups and spoons

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Beat the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat softened butter and white sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.

Step 5: Combine Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 6: Fold in Sprinkles
Gently fold in the festive sprinkles with a spatula until evenly distributed.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or store in an airtight container.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, tender texture with just a hint of chewiness

Colorful, festive appearance perfect for holiday tables

Easy to make with common pantry ingredients

Fun for baking with kids or friends

Ideal for gifting or cookie exchanges

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overmixing Dough
Can make cookies tough.
Solution: Mix until just combined.

Incorrect Oven Temperature
Can underbake or overbake.
Solution: Use an oven thermometer.

Too Much Flour
Results in dry cookies.
Solution: Measure flour carefully and spoon into measuring cup.

Skipping Cooling Time
Can break cookies.
Solution: Let cookies rest on baking sheet 2–3 minutes before transferring.

Uneven Sprinkle Distribution
Can look unbalanced.
Solution: Fold in sprinkles gently and evenly.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve fresh with milk, hot cocoa, or holiday tea

Arrange on festive plates or cookie platters for parties and gifting

Perfect for sharing at family gatherings

Ideal as a treat for Santa

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days

Reheat gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore softness

FAQs

1. Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes, it adds a subtle molasses flavor and softens the texture.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, chill the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.

3. Can I use other extracts?
Vanilla and almond provide the best flavor, but you can experiment with lemon or peppermint.

4. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, shape into balls and freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months.

5. Can I use nonpareil sprinkles?
Absolutely, just fold them in gently to avoid color bleeding.

Tips & Tricks

Use room temperature butter for smooth mixing

Slightly flatten dough balls for even baking

Space cookies properly to prevent sticking

Let children fold in sprinkles for fun

Recipe Variations

Chocolate Chip Twist: Replace ½ cup sprinkles with ½ cup mini chocolate chips.

Peppermint Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.

Nutty Holiday Cookies: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.

Glazed Sugar Cookies: Drizzle a simple icing of powdered sugar and milk over cooled cookies.

Final Thoughts

Pulling a warm cookie from the tray and watching the edges glisten with sprinkles brings an instant sense of satisfaction. Each bite is soft, buttery, and packed with the festive cheer of colorful sprinkles, making it hard to stop at just one. Sharing them with friends and family, or even leaving a few out for Santa, adds that little touch of magic to the season.

Baking these cookies transforms a simple afternoon into a memory worth holding onto. The process, the scents, and the smiles they inspire all come together to make the holiday feel alive and full of connection. These soft Christmas cookies are small, joyful bites that celebrate the heart of the season, perfect for gifting, gatherings, or a quiet moment with a cup of cocoa.