Christmas Sugar Cookies!!!
Just the mention brings fun and messy Christmas memories to mind! Our tradition was for John, Chelsea & Andy to make them, it was their special time each year. Then one year Chelsea & Andy were old enough to give it a try. Well, the kitchen was a mess, but they had a blast making them! I have to say, they turned out very nice and they were proud bakers. We always bring sugar cookies on Christmas Eve, and everyone is sure to grab at least one before they’re gone. John got this recipe from their neighbor, Wanda and we’ve been using it for over 30 years now!
Our Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft and buttery, not too sweet and decorated so pretty for Christmas – these beauties just got glitter-ized!
In a mixing bowl combine the butter and sugar, add the eggs and vanilla extract, beat well. Then add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Mix on low until well blended. It should look like the dough below after mixing.
Put the dough on a floured counter or cutting board.
Roll out the dough to about 1/4″ thick.
Dip the cookie cutters in flour each time before cutting out the shapes. This really helps them pop right out.
Carefully put them on a baking sheet about 1″ apart. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown.
Cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack while making the frosting.
Make the frosting and add some food coloring to the different bowls of frosting.
Have fun, be creative and decorate the cookies however you’d like! I love the edible glitters shown here in light blue and pink. They are available at most cake decorating stores.
The little reindeer in the middle reminds me of our grand-dog Connor. He’s the cutest little white Maltese! Small pretzels make adorable reindeer antlers.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Our Christmas Sugar Cookies have been a family favorite for over 30 years. They're soft and buttery, not too sweet and decorated so pretty for Christmas!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Rest Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 283kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 1/4 cup white sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups unbleached or all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- 1 pound powdered sugar, 3 3/4 cups
- 1/2 cup slightly melted butter
- 4-5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring: red and green
Decorating:
- Colored sugar or edible glitter
- Mini M&M'S
- Small pretzels, for reindeer antlers
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beat well. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Mix on low until well blended.
- Flour the counter or cutting board. Roll out the dough to about 1/4" thick, adding a little more flour each time you flip the dough over. Dip the cookie cutters in flour each time, then cut out the shapes. Carefully put them on a baking sheet about 1" apart.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack while making the frosting.
Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl combine the first 4 ingredients, mix until smooth and creamy.
- Put about 1 cup of frosting in 3 or 4 separate bowls. Add red, green or any color food coloring, to each bowl and stir until combined. You can leave one bowl white like I did if you'd like.
Decorating:
- Spread the different colored frosting on cooled cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar, edible glitter, mini M&Ms or small pretzels (for antlers).
Notes
Leave the decorated cookies on the counter for approximately 1 hour, so the frosting can set up before storing.
Nutrition
Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 50mg | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 7.8% | Calcium: 1.2% | Iron: 4.6%
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For delicious cookies every time, check out My Top 10 Tips for Perfect Cookies.
Looking for more delicious cookie recipes?
Here are a few you may also enjoy!
Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies
Dipped Oreo Reindeer Cookies
Walnut Puff Cookies
These sugar cookies are buttery soft and the frosting is amazing! A perfect way to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to your family and friends! Thanks for reading ~ love & joy to all!
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This recipe is shared at: Creative Muster Party – I Heart Nap Time – Creative Ways Link Party – Saturday Sparks Link Party
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Melissa says
December 21, 2012 at 7:52 pmYay! Sugar cookies are my favorite.
Heather Carter says
December 21, 2012 at 8:19 pmMine too! I love the memories and the cookies!
Grams says
December 21, 2012 at 3:15 pmHope I get one this year, they are the first to go! Now I really can’t wait for Christmas Eve!
Heather Carter says
December 21, 2012 at 8:18 pmGet ya one before they’re gone this year!
Grams says
December 27, 2012 at 6:14 pmLove what your church does for people at Christmas, that is what Christmas is all about! Glad you and John are part of it too.
Heather Carter says
December 27, 2012 at 10:24 pmI love 7 Families for 7 Days’ ministry at Metro South Church and being a part of it too!