Soft Christmas Cookies: Buttery, Chewy, and Perfect for the Holidays

These Soft Christmas Cookies are a holiday favorite! With a light, fluffy texture and a rich buttery flavor, these cookies are perfect for gifting or enjoying with family. They’re easy to make and will bring a sweet, festive touch to your holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfectly Soft: These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth soft, with just the right amount of chewiness.
  • Easy to Make: A simple recipe that’s great for holiday baking with minimal effort.
  • Customizable: Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or your favorite festive decorations to make them extra special.

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 1/4 cup colored sugar or sprinkles (for rolling)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional, for finishing)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
    In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add the Eggs and Extracts
    Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). Mix until fully incorporated.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
  6. Shape the Cookies
    Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and roll each ball in colored sugar or sprinkles. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
  7. Bake the Cookies
    Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
  8. Cool and Serve
    Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra festive touch, dust with powdered sugar once cooled.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Serving: Serve these soft cookies at Christmas parties or as a sweet treat with hot cocoa.
  • Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.

Helpful Notes

  • For an extra soft cookie, don’t overbake them. They should still look a little soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.
  • You can mix in chocolate chips or holiday-themed candies if you want to make these cookies even more festive.

FAQs

  1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
    While margarine will work, using butter gives these cookies a richer flavor and better texture.
  2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
    Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just note that the texture might vary slightly.
  3. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
    Yes! You can make the dough in advance, roll it into balls, and freeze them. Bake from frozen when you’re ready for fresh, soft cookies.

These Soft Christmas Cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich buttery flavor, they’re the perfect treat to share with loved ones this season.