Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Frosting

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a classic recipe for Christmas sugar cookies — perfect for cut out shapes, timeless flavor, and holiday fun! Start baking now!

There’s something so magical about Christmas Sugar Cookies. 🎄 The smell of buttery dough baking in the oven, the sound of kids giggling as they decorate, and the sparkle of frosting and sprinkles everywhere (literally everywhere… including the floor 😅).

These cookies are soft, sweet, and perfectly nostalgic — just like Grandma used to make. They’re easy enough for a weekday baking session, but special enough for a Christmas Eve treat. Let’s dive into the recipe and make some holiday memories together!

But if you are looking for the easiest sugar cookies, I’ve got a shortcut sugar cookie recipe too that requires no chilling.

What Are Christmas Sugar Cookies?

These are your classic roll-out sugar cookies — buttery, soft, and just the right amount of sweet. You roll out the dough, grab your favorite cookie cutters (hello, snowmen and stars!), and bake them until they’re lightly golden.

Once they’re cooled, you can decorate them with simple homemade frosting or go all out with sprinkles, colored sugar, and even edible glitter if you’re feeling fancy. ✨

They’re great for family baking days, classroom parties, or a sweet holiday gift for neighbors. And honestly, is it even Christmas without a tray of sugar cookies?

Ingredients You’ll Need for this Sugar Cookie Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these festive favorites:

For the Cookies

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Dash of salt

For the Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons room temperature butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A few teaspoons of milk (add slowly until smooth consistency is reached)

Nothing fancy here — just simple pantry staples. That’s part of what makes these cookies so timeless and stress-free. 🍪

How to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

Alright, let’s get baking!

1. Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth with hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer.
2. Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until everything’s well combined and a soft dough forms.
3. Chill the sugar cookie dough in the refrigerator. Pop the dough in the fridge for at least one hour. It makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape.
4. Roll and cut. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Then use cookie cutters in your favorite Christmas shapes — stars, trees, reindeer, or whatever makes you smile! 🎅
5. Bake cookies. Place the cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400°F for a baking time of 8–10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges start turning golden.
6. Cool completely after removing from the pan. Let them cool on wire rack before decorating — patience, friend! Frosting warm cookies equals a gooey mess.

Frosting Time

In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth using an electric mixer or by hand. Add gel food coloring if you want fun colors, then spread sugar cookie icing onto your cooled cookies.

Let the kids go wild with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or even chocolate drizzle. It’s messy, but that’s half the fun, right?

Places to Share or Serve

These cookies are so versatile for the December holiday season — and they fit in anywhere during the holidays. Here are some fun ideas:

• 🎁 Gift plates for neighbors or teachers. Wrap a few in cellophane and tie with a ribbon for a sweet, homemade gift of a Christmas cookie tray.
• 🎄 Christmas parties. Serve this easy sugar cookie recipe alongside hot cocoa or eggnog.
• 🍽️ Family dinners. A plate of soft sugar cookies for dessert makes everyone happy.
• 🎅 Santa’s snack plate. Add a few cookies and a glass of milk before bedtime — and don’t forget a carrot for the reindeer!

No matter where you take them, these cookies bring smiles (and maybe a few sugar rushes) with only a few simple ingredients.

Variations for the Recipe

Want to mix things up? Try these fun twists:

• Add a flavor twist. Mix a little almond extract or lemon zest into the dough for a fresh flavor.
• Colored dough. Split the dough and add food coloring to create red and green cookies!
• Sprinkle edges. Roll the edges of each cookie in sprinkles before baking.
• Buttercream upgrade. Swap out the simple frosting for a fluffy buttercream if you love extra sweetness.
• Chocolate drizzle. Melt some white or dark chocolate and drizzle it over the frosted cookies for a fancy touch.

This recipe is a blank canvas for creativity — which is perfect for holiday baking fun with kids.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These cookies store beautifully, which makes them great for busy holiday weeks.

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in a single layers or place a piece of parchment paper between layers.
• Freezer-friendly: You can freeze the baked cookies (unfrosted and undecorated cookies) for up to 2 months. Just thaw and decorate when ready.
• Make-ahead dough: Chill the dough up to 3 days in advance for these cut-out cookies, or freeze it for later use.

If you’re hosting a party or planning cookie gifts, bake early, decorate later, and save yourself a little holiday chaos.

Common Questions About Christmas Sugar Cookies

Why do I need to chill the dough?
It helps the cookies hold their shape when baking and makes the dough easier to handle.

Can I use salted butter?
Yes! Just skip the extra pinch of salt in the recipe.

How do I get soft cookies?
Don’t over bake them. Take them out when the edges just start to brown.

Can I use store-bought frosting?
Absolutely! No judgment here. Sometimes you just need to keep it simple.

How can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture will still be great!

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Final Thoughts on Christmas Sugar Cookies

There’s just something special about baking during the holidays. These cookies are simple, classic, and full of love — exactly what Christmas should be.

So grab your rolling pin, sprinkle some flour, and make a batch of Christmas Sugar Cookies with your family. Laugh, make a mess, and maybe sneak a few bites of dough (we all do it 😉).

🎅 Want more easy recipes and holiday printables? Sign up for my email list — I’ll send my best festive ideas straight to your inbox so you can celebrate the season without stress!

Grab the kids and get baking this yummy old fashion inspired sugar cookie recipe.

More Cookie Recipes to try:

• Jam Sandwich Sugar Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
• Cosmic Brownie Cookies
• Caramel Apple Cookies
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Originally Posted December 12, 2014 // Updated October 11, 2025