If you’re on the hunt for the perfect tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat this holiday season, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies are wonderfully soft, shaped into festive designs, and just sweet enough to keep everyone coming back for seconds. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how they stayed so soft even after cooling, and I can’t wait to share all my tips so you can get that same perfect texture in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Tender Texture: These cookies come out perfectly soft every time, making them a crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients here—just basics you probably already have in your pantry.
- Great for Decorating: The dough holds cookie cutter shapes beautifully, perfect for getting creative with festive designs.
- Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep the dough in advance, making your holiday baking less stressful and more fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe lies in how these simple ingredients come together to create that melt-in-your-mouth softness and the perfect delicate sweetness. I always recommend using real vanilla extract and softened margarine (or butter if you prefer) for the best flavor and texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Sift it well for a light dough that’s easier to roll out, making your cookie shapes crisp but tender.
- Baking Powder: Just a small amount helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them soft and fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor—don’t skip it!
- White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that classic cookie texture you love.
- Margarine (softened): I use margarine here, but butter works beautifully too; it keeps the cookies tender and flavorful.
- Eggs: They bind everything and bring that lovely richness, plus they help the dough come together smoothly.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for that warm, comforting flavor that says “Christmas” in every bite.
Variations
I love that this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is so versatile. Over the years, I’ve played around with different flavors and add-ins, so feel free to make it your own. Whether you want to include some festive sprinkles or experiment with extracts beyond vanilla, it’s all about making these cookies perfectly yours.
- Classic Icing and Sprinkles: My family goes crazy when I add royal icing and colorful sugar sprinkles on top—it instantly makes the cookies festive and fun for kids to help decorate.
- Almond or Peppermint Extract: Substituting vanilla for almond or peppermint extract gives these cookies a whole new holiday vibe.
- Gluten-Free Version: I’ve had success swapping in a gluten-free flour blend with a teaspoon of xanthan gum to keep the dough soft and workable.
- Vegan Option: Use vegan butter and a flax egg to make these soft and delicious for plant-based diets.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix and Chill the Dough
Start by sifting the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl—this gives your cookies the light, tender texture we want. In a larger bowl, beat the softened margarine and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; it’s so important to get this step right because it sets the stage for the cookie’s fluffiness. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually stir in the flour mixture just until combined—don’t overmix or the cookies can become tough. Wrap the dough tightly and chill it in your fridge for about two hours; I never skip this chilling step because it helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to roll out.
Step 2: Roll and Cut Your Cookies
After chilling, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease your cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out your dough to about a ¼-inch thickness—this is key to getting the soft yet defined shapes that hold up well after baking. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes, arranging them evenly on your cookie sheets. Gather up the scraps, reroll, and repeat until you’ve used all the dough. At this point, you can sprinkle colored sugar on top if you want, or save that for decorating after baking.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for about 6 to 8 minutes. You’ll want to watch the edges and pull them out when they just start to turn golden—the centers will look soft, and that’s exactly what you want. Let them cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This little cooling trick helps avoid breaking and keeps them soft.
Pro Tips for Making Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Refrigerating the dough not only stops spreading but also improves flavor and texture—I’ve found this step is non-negotiable for soft cookies.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: I set a timer for 6 minutes and check early because even a minute too long can make the cookies crisp rather than soft.
- Use Electric Mixer for Creaming: Creaming butter and sugar thoroughly traps air to give you that light, airy bite everyone loves.
- Roll Dough Evenly: Uneven thickness can cause uneven baking—use a rolling pin with thickness guides for consistent results.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a sucker for adding just a little colored sanding sugar on top before baking—it adds a fun sparkle without any extra fuss. For special occasions, I like to frost cooled cookies with a simple vanilla royal icing and let my kids go wild with sprinkles and edible glitter. It turns cookie decorating into a festive event and lets everyone get creative.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with homemade hot chocolate or a spiced holiday coffee. I also love serving them alongside some fresh fruit or a small cheese plate for a nice balance of flavors during cookie exchanges or holiday parties.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged these soft Christmas cookies on a festive platter lined with pine branches and cinnamon sticks—it was such a hit, adding a rustic holiday touch. Wrapped in clear cellophane tied with a colorful ribbon, these cookies make a heartwarming handmade gift. Another idea I adore is stacking them in mason jars layered between sheets of wax paper for a charming edible centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I’ve learned that placing a slice of bread in the container keeps them soft and fresh longer—the bread absorbs excess moisture, so the cookies don’t dry out. They stay perfectly tender for up to a week this way.
Freezing
I’ve successfully frozen the cookie dough itself wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to bake, I just thaw it overnight in the fridge and roll out as usual. You can also freeze baked cookies between layers of wax paper inside an airtight container; just thaw at room temp before serving and they’ll taste fresh.
Reheating
If you want to warm up the cookies, I pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This makes them taste freshly baked and revives that soft texture without drying them out. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make cookies tough once they cool again.
FAQs
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Can I use butter instead of margarine in this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Butter is a great substitute and will give your cookies a richer flavor. Just make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easier mixing. The texture will remain soft and tender, so feel free to use whichever you prefer.
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How can I make sure my cookies stay soft and don’t get hard?
Chilling the dough before baking and watching your baking time closely are the keys. Pull the cookies out as soon as the edges turn golden but the centers still look soft. Also, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to retain moisture and softness.
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Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, I highly recommend making the dough in advance. After mixing, wrap it tightly and chill for at least two hours, or freeze it for up to three months. This makes baking day a breeze and even improves the flavor and texture.
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Do these cookies need frosting?
Nope! The cookies are delicious on their own thanks to their soft texture and gentle sweetness. But if you want to dress them up, a simple vanilla royal icing or a sprinkle of colored sugar before baking adds a festive touch that’s especially fun for holiday parties.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe turns out every single time—soft, tender, and loaded with holiday cheer. It’s become a staple in my family’s holiday traditions and seeing the joy on everyone’s faces when they take that first bite is truly priceless. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it’ll become one of your go-to festive treats too. Baking these cookies is like wrapping up a warm hug in every bite—happy holidays and happy baking!
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies (4 dozen)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Best Soft Christmas Cookies are classic, tender cut-out sugar cookies that maintain their shape perfectly. Ideal for holiday celebrations, they are subtly sweet and delightfully soft with a gentle vanilla aroma. Perfect for decorating with colored sugar before baking or frosting after cooling, these cookies make festive treats for all ages.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1.5 cups white sugar
- 1 cup margarine, softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all necessary ingredients to ensure a smooth baking process without interruptions.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt for uniform flavor and texture.
- Cream Sugar and Butter: Using an electric mixer in a large bowl, beat the white sugar with softened margarine until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, which helps to create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat the first egg into the creamed mixture, followed by the second egg along with the vanilla extract to enhance flavor and help bind the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the cookies soft and tender.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm it up, which makes it easier to roll out and helps cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease two cookie sheets to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a clean, floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Gather and re-roll scraps as needed to use all dough.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes until the edges turn golden, indicating they are perfectly baked yet soft inside.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool briefly on the baking sheet to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating or serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Decorate with colored sugar before baking or frost once fully cooled for a festive touch, then serve and enjoy your soft Christmas cookies.
Notes
- These cookies are soft and tender, perfect for holding detailed cut-out shapes that do not spread too much during baking.
- Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking for a sparkling festive look or frost when cool for more decorative options.
- Use margarine or butter per preference; margarine is used here to reduce saturated fat content slightly.
- Ensure dough is well chilled to avoid excessive spreading and to make rolling easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 97 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 81 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
