The Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is one of those timeless holiday treasures that fills your kitchen with warmth and a delightful buttery aroma. These cookies are tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats that capture the essence of festive joy with every bite. Simple yet satisfying, the recipe balances sweet, rich butter with a hint of vanilla, producing golden cookies that are perfect for sharing, gifting, or savoring with a cozy cup of cocoa during the holiday season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making these delicious Christmas butter cookies. Each component brings something special to the table, from buttery richness and sweetness to that perfect tender crumb and a touch of aromatic flavor.
- 1 cup butter, softened: The heart of the cookie, butter adds richness and a tender texture that melts in your mouth.
- 1 cup white sugar: Sweetness that balances the butter and helps with a delicate crisp edge.
- 1 egg: Provides structure and binds the ingredients for the perfect dough consistency.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A warm, fragrant note that elevates every bite with subtle complexity.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The main dry ingredient that brings the dough together and forms the cookie base.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: A gentle lift to keep the cookies light and tender.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness beautifully.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Tools
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is ready to give your cookies that perfect golden color and crisp edges. Grab ungreased cookie sheets as the butter in the dough prevents sticking and encourages a lovely texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is essential as it incorporates air into the dough, which helps your cookies stay light as they bake.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract next. The egg binds the dough, while vanilla brings that signature warm fragrance that makes Christmas butter cookies feel so festive and comforting.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This combo is crucial to give your cookies the right structure and a subtle rise without overpowering their delicate crumb.
Step 5: Mix Dry into Wet Ingredients
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture. This gradual approach avoids overmixing and ensures a tender dough that’s easy to handle when rolling into balls.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into small balls, about one inch in diameter, and place them on your ungreased cookie sheets. Give each ball a gentle flattening by pressing down with a fork—this not only shapes the cookies but adds a classic texture and pattern.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they turn a lovely golden color without overbaking, which keeps them from drying out and preserves that buttery softness inside.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, transfer the cookies onto wire racks to cool completely. This final step ensures they firm up just right, making them easy to handle and delightful to eat.
How to Serve Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are perfect on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a festive snow-like touch. You can also dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate or decorate with colored sugar sprinkles to brighten your holiday spread.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with classic holiday beverages like hot cocoa, eggnog, or spiced chai. They also complement a cheese platter beautifully, balancing savory bites with their sweet, buttery flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation turns a simple cookie into a centerpiece. Arrange the cookies in a circular pattern on a bright holiday plate, or stack them tied with a ribbon for charming edible gifts. For a whimsical touch, serve alongside mini candy canes or edible glitter to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your baked Christmas butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to a week. This helps preserve their tender crumb and buttery flavor without getting stale.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, the cookie dough freezes beautifully. Shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop leftover cookies into a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3–5 minutes. Avoid the microwave to keep their delicate texture intact, and enjoy the comforting buttery aroma wafting through your kitchen again.
FAQs
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While margarine can work in a pinch, butter is key to achieving the rich flavor and tender texture characteristic of the Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe. Margarine may alter the taste and texture slightly.
How do I make my cookies crispier?
For crispier cookies, try baking a couple of extra minutes and slightly flattening the dough balls before baking. However, these cookies are traditionally tender, so adjusting for crispness may change their classic softness.
Can I add flavors like almond or lemon?
Absolutely! Adding a teaspoon of almond extract or a bit of lemon zest to the dough can provide a delightful twist while keeping the spirit of the classic recipe intact.
What’s the best way to prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough briefly if it feels too soft. Using ungreased cookie sheets as described also helps maintain the shape without excessive spreading.
Are these cookies suitable for decorating with icing?
Yes! These butter cookies have a sturdy yet smooth surface perfect for royal icing or simple glaze decorations, making them ideal for personalized holiday designs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a cookie that truly embodies the warmth and joy of the season, you have to try the Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe. It’s straightforward, filled with wholesome ingredients, and results in cookies that bring smiles with every bite. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these cookies are the perfect little bites of holiday happiness.
Print
Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These classic Christmas Butter Cookies are buttery, tender, and subtly sweet, making them the perfect holiday treat. With a simple mix of basic ingredients and a quick bake time, they’re easy to prepare and delightful to share with family and friends during festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or sturdy spoon to cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps create a light texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing well to distribute the leavening and seasoning evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms that is slightly stiff but pliable.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and arrange them spaced apart on ungreased cookie sheets to allow spreading during baking.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Flatten each ball gently with a fork, creating a classic fork-pressed pattern and ensuring even thickness for uniform baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies tender.
- Cool: Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on wire racks to prevent sogginess and to firm up the texture before serving.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, dip the cooled cookies in melted chocolate or sprinkle with colored sugar before baking.
- If you prefer crisper cookies, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the best creaming texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for future use.
