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Christmas Butter Cookies

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Christmas butter cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats that are perfect for the holiday season. Decorated with colorful sprinkles, icing, or sugar, these classic cookies are fun to make and a joy to eat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (100 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract for variation)
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For decoration:

  • Holiday sprinkles
  • Colored sugar
  • Royal icing (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  • Cream the butter and sugar:
    • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
  • Add the vanilla:
    • Mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
  • Incorporate the dry ingredients:
    • Gradually add the sifted flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  • Shape the cookies:
    • For drop cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass.
    • For rolled cookies: Chill the dough for 30 minutes, then roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into shapes using holiday cookie cutters.
    • For piped cookies: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe shapes like rosettes or swirls directly onto the baking sheet.
  • Decorate:
    • Add holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or other decorations before baking.
  • Bake:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Optional icing decoration:
    • Once the cookies are cooled, decorate with royal icing or drizzle melted chocolate for a festive touch.

Notes

  • To enhance flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Double the recipe for larger batches to share with family and friends!