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Soft Christmas Cookies

These soft Christmas cookies are buttery, tender, and perfect for decorating with festive icing and sprinkles. They stay soft and chewy, making them a holiday favorite.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, measured properly
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
  • 2 ½ cups (284 g) confectioner's sugar (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream (for frosting)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 1 pinch salt (for frosting)
  • Food coloring & sprinkles, optional (for frosting)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, add room temperature butter and sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
  2. Add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated and fluffy, about 1 minute.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir (or use a mixer on low speed) dry ingredients into butter mixture until just combined.
  4. Roll dough into 1.5 tablespoon balls (or use a medium cookie scoop) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden.
  6. Let cookies cool completely before frosting.
  7. For frosting: In a medium bowl, add room temperature butter, confectioner's sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Whip until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add more heavy cream as needed to achieve desired consistency.
  8. Spread frosting with a knife onto completely cooled cookies, or use a piping bag with decorating tip. Decorate with food coloring and sprinkles as desired.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Do not overbake—cookies should remain soft and not brown. Frost only when cookies are completely cooled to prevent melting.

  • Author: Dorothy Miller
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Method: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 14
  • Sodium: 100
  • Fat: 9
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 25
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 2
  • Cholesterol: 40