My grandmother’s kitchen was always a magical place, especially during the holidays. From the moment the first crisp autumn leaf fell, anticipation would build, culminating in the irresistible scent of vanilla, butter, and a hint of something sweet that would fill the air. This aroma wasn't just pleasant; it was the official signal for the start of our beloved annual Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing tradition. I can still close my eyes and vividly picture her flour-dusted apron, her gentle, knowing hands guiding my much smaller ones as we carefully rolled out the perfectly pliable dough. The pure joy on her face, a reflection of the pure delight on mine, when we finally got to decorate those simple, perfect cookies, is etched into my memory. It was never just about the cookies themselves; it was about the warmth of the oven, the shared laughter over lopsided stars, and the unspoken love and memories we meticulously baked into every single one. This particular Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing isn't merely a set of instructions; it's a piece of my heart, a tangible connection to those cherished, nostalgic moments, and now, with immense pleasure, I'm thrilled to share this timeless tradition and the joy of baking with you. It truly is the best Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing out there!

As the holiday season approaches, there’s a certain magic that fills the air. For me, that magic is inextricably linked to the scent of freshly baked sugar cookies. While many recipes promise perfection, this one delivers on every front: a cookie that’s soft, holds its shape beautifully, and serves as the ideal canvas for vibrant, easy-to-make icing. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your festive traditions, this detailed guide to our Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing will ensure your kitchen becomes a hub of holiday cheer and deliciousness. So, grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s dive into making some unforgettable memories, one perfectly decorated cookie at a time. This is more than just a recipe; it's an invitation to create lasting holiday joy.

Why This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing is a Must-Try

• Perfectly Soft & Chewy, Never Hard: Say goodbye to dry, crumbly cookies! This Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing guarantees a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that stays wonderfully soft for days, making them ideal for gifting or enjoying throughout the week.
• Holds Shape Beautifully, No Spreading Drama: Whether your cookie cutters are intricate snowflakes, classic stars, or whimsical gingerbread men, this dough is designed not to spread excessively in the oven. Your carefully cut shapes will remain crisp and defined, ensuring your decorative efforts truly shine. This is a crucial feature for a stunning Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing display.
• Simple, Versatile Icing for All Skill Levels: Our easy icing recipe is a dream to work with – it's forgiving for beginners yet perfect for more detailed decorating. It dries to a lovely, slightly crisp finish that sets perfectly, allowing you to stack your festive creations without smudging. The simple nature of the icing makes this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing accessible to everyone.
• A Blank Canvas for Limitless Creativity: These buttery sugar cookies are the ultimate foundation for your holiday artistry. From vibrant sprinkles to intricate piped designs, this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing offers endless opportunities to unleash your inner artist and craft edible masterpieces that will impress everyone.

Key Ingredient Notes for Your Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Understanding the role of each ingredient is essential for perfecting your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing. Here are a few key players and why they matter:

Unsalted Butter: The Heart of the Cookie

This is the soul of our Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe. Using unsalted butter allows you to precisely control the overall salt content, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile. It's absolutely crucial that your butter is softened to room temperature – but not melted! Softened butter creams properly with the sugar, incorporating essential air that contributes to the cookies' light and tender texture. Cold butter won't cream effectively, resulting in a dense cookie, while melted butter will lead to greasy, flat cookies that spread too much. Give it at least an hour on the counter before you start.

Granulated Sugar: More Than Just Sweetness

Beyond providing its delightful sweetness, granulated sugar plays a critical role in the texture of your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe. When creamed vigorously with the butter, the sugar crystals create tiny air pockets. These air pockets expand during baking, contributing significantly to the cookies' signature tenderness and delicate crumb. Don't be tempted to skimp on the sugar or add extra; the precise balance outlined in this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing is key to achieving that perfect soft texture and preventing excessive spreading.

All-Purpose Flour: The Structural Foundation

All-purpose flour forms the very structure of our cookie dough. The biggest pitfall here is using too much or too little. Too much flour can lead to dry, tough, and crumbly cookies, while too little will cause them to spread excessively and lose their beautiful shapes. For the most consistent results in your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe, I highly recommend weighing your flour using a kitchen scale. If you're measuring by volume, use the

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Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing

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A timeless recipe for perfectly soft, chewy, and shape-holding Christmas sugar cookies, complete with a simple, versatile royal-style icing that's perfect for festive decorating. This is the ultimate Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing for your holiday baking.

• Total Time: Approximately 3 hours (including chilling and decorating time)
• Yield: 4 dozen cookies (depending on cutter size)

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Easy Icing:
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons meringue powder (optional, for a harder set)
6-8 tablespoons milk or water (start with 6 and add more as needed)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or almond extract)
Gel food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. This ensures a tender base for your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Step 2: Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to tougher cookies.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick. Do not overmix! Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough cookies, which is the last thing you want for your soft, delicious Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Step 4: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. Chilling is essential for this Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe as it prevents spreading and makes the dough much easier to handle for cutting your festive shapes. You can even chill it overnight!
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This step is crucial for perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe baking.
Step 6: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use minimal flour to prevent drying out the dough, which can affect the final texture of your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Step 7: Cut out desired shapes using your favorite cookie cutters. Carefully transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between cookies. Gather any scraps, gently re-roll once or twice, and cut more cookies. Remember, for the best Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing results, avoid overworking the dough scraps.
Step 8: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden. The centers should still look soft. Baking time can vary based on cookie size and oven. Do not overbake, or your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe will be hard! This is key for soft, chewy cookies.
Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure they are fully cooled before icing to prevent the icing from melting or running. This patience will be rewarded with beautiful Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe creations.
Step 10: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder (if using, for a harder, more stable set). Sifting the powdered sugar is important to prevent lumps in your easy icing for the Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Step 11: Gradually whisk in the milk or water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. For thick piping consistency, use less liquid. For a thinner flood consistency, use a bit more. Add pure vanilla extract for flavor, enhancing your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe experience.
Step 12: Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired. Cover any icing you're not immediately using with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent it from crusting. This ensures your easy icing for the Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe stays smooth.
Step 13: If piping, transfer thicker icing to piping bags fitted with small round tips (or snip a tiny corner off a Ziploc bag). Outline your cookies with the thicker icing. This provides a barrier for the flood icing on your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Step 14: If flooding, thin a portion of the icing (from Step 11) with a few more drops of milk until it's slightly runny, like honey. Fill in the outlined areas with the flood icing, using a toothpick or small brush to gently spread it to the edges and pop any air bubbles. This technique brings your Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing to life.
Step 15: Decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or more piped details while the icing is wet (for wet-on-wet techniques) or after it has dried (for layered designs), depending on your vision. Allow the iced Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing to dry completely at room temperature for several hours (or overnight) before stacking or storing. Patience is key for beautiful, smudge-free results!

Notes

For best results, weigh your ingredients, especially flour. Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spread and achieving crisp edges. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Unbaked dough can be frozen for up to 3 months, wrapped tightly.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes chilling)
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 120 kcal
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg