The Coziest Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Christmas brings magic to kitchens everywhere, and these soft Christmas cookies recipe treats sparkle with sweet nostalgia.

Generations of bakers have perfected the art of creating tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that capture holiday joy.

Warm spices dance through delicate dough, promising comfort in every bite.

Crafted with simple ingredients and a dash of love, these cookies blend tradition with delightful simplicity.

Festive gatherings call for something special that makes hearts and taste buds sing.

Each cookie carries memories of winter celebrations and cherished moments shared around the table.

You’ll want to savor every crumbly, delectable morsel of these festive delights.

Soft Christmas Cookies: Festive Features

• These soft Christmas cookies bring instant festive spirit to your kitchen, creating warm memories with every batch.
• Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
• Sprinkle red and green sugar adds a playful touch, allowing you to personalize each cookie and make them uniquely yours.
• Fast preparation and baking time mean you can whip up delicious treats in less than 30 minutes, perfect for surprise gatherings or last-minute holiday parties.

Ingredients for Soft Christmas Cookies

• Margarine: Provides rich and creamy texture for soft cookies.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cookie structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cookie's soft texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the Christmas cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavor profiles.

• Red Sugar Sprinkles, Green Sugar Sprinkles: Adds festive Christmas color and visual appeal to the cookies.

Christmas Cookie Baking Gear

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheets: Needed for spreading and baking cookie dough.
• Glass bottom: Great for gently flattening cookie dough balls.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Useful for mixing and scraping bowl sides.

Steps for Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Get your kitchen ready by heating the oven to a cozy 350F (175C).

This perfect temperature will help create magic with your cookies.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and whip together the softened margarine and white sugar.

Beat them until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that looks absolutely dreamy.

Step 3: Introduce Moisture Makers

Drop in the eggs one by one, giving each a chance to blend completely.

Then splash in the vanilla extract, which will add a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Companions

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Ensure these dry ingredients are well combined and lump-free.

Step 5: Unite Wet And Dry Worlds

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the creamy mixture.

Mix until everything just comes together – don’t overmix, as this can make cookies tough.

Step 6: Shape Holiday Circles

Roll the dough into small, delightful balls about 1-inch in size.

Place them on ungreased baking sheets with some breathing room between each cookie.

Step 7: Give Festive Sparkle

Sprinkle red and green sugar crystals over each cookie, creating a festive holiday look that screams Christmas cheer.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the warm oven.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges look set but the centers remain soft and tender.

Step 9: Cool And Celebrate

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for a few moments.

Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Your soft, delightful Christmas cookies are ready to spread joy!

Cookie Baking Success Tips

• Let margarine sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the ideal creamy consistency for smooth mixing.
• Stop stirring the dough as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to keep cookies tender and prevent toughness.
• Watch cookies closely during baking; they should have slightly golden edges but remain soft in the center for best texture.
• Apply sugar decorations gently before baking to ensure they stick and create a festive, sparkling appearance.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, delightful texture.

Soft Cookie Variations to Enjoy

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the soft, buttery texture.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cookies: Swap white sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce calorie content while keeping the classic holiday flavor.
• Vegan Festive Cookies: Use coconut oil instead of margarine and replace eggs with mashed banana or applesauce for a plant-based alternative that's equally delicious.
• Nutty Christmas Treat: Incorporate finely chopped pecans or almonds into the dough for added crunch and rich, nutty undertones that complement the sweet base.

Serving Soft Christmas Cookies at Gatherings

• Holiday Cookie Platter Perfection: Arrange the soft Christmas cookies on a festive red or green ceramic plate for a stunning presentation.
• Cozy Pairing Magic: Serve these delightful cookies alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa or freshly brewed holiday spice tea for a comforting seasonal treat.
• Gifting Delight: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons, creating adorable homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or family friends.
• Family Fun Station: Create a cookie decorating area with extra sprinkles, small bowls of colorful icing, and let kids add their own creative touches to the freshly baked cookies.

Storing Christmas Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for up to 3 months, allowing quick baking later.
• Pack completely cooled cookies in freezer-safe containers with wax paper separating layers, preserving texture for 2-3 months.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed frozen cookies at 300F for 3-5 minutes, restoring their soft texture and bringing back that fresh-baked warmth.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for these Christmas cookies?

The main ingredients include margarine, white sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, salt, and festive red and green sugar sprinkles.

• Can I use butter instead of margarine?

Yes, you can substitute margarine with butter. The cookie texture and flavor will be very similar, just ensure the butter is softened before creaming.

• How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

• Are these cookies good for kids to help make?

Absolutely! Children can help roll the dough into balls, flatten them with a glass, and sprinkle the colorful sugar decorations, making it a fun family holiday activity.

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Santa’s classic Christmas Cookies blend nostalgia and sweet comfort from German holiday traditions. Delicate sugar cookies with festive sprinkles invite bakers to create memories with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 3/4 cups (450 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (227 grams) margarine, softened

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking results.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whip softened margarine and white sugar until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, creating a smooth base.
3. Introduce eggs individually into the creamed mixture, thoroughly blending each one. Infuse the batter with vanilla extract for enhanced aromatic depth.
4. Separately, combine flour, baking powder, and salt using a whisking motion to distribute ingredients evenly and eliminate potential lumps.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender cookie texture without overmixing.
6. Craft uniform dough spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter, positioning them strategically on ungreased baking surfaces. Delicately compress each ball using a glass bottom to create gentle, uniform discs.
7. Embellish cookie surfaces with festive red and green sugar crystals, adding visual appeal and seasonal character.
8. Position cookies in the preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges become firm while centers retain a soft, pillowy consistency.
9. Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheets, then transition to wire cooling racks, permitting complete temperature stabilization before serving these delightful holiday morsels.

Notes

• Soften butter to room temperature beforehand for smoother, fluffier cookie texture.
• Use parchment paper for easier cleanup and preventing cookie sticking.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Swap white sugar with coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index option.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg