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A close-up shot of freshly baked sugar cookies cut into festive shapes before being decorated. A classic holiday baking activity.
FL Recipes

Christmas Cookie Recipes: The Only 3 You'll Ever Need

This classic cut-out sugar cookie is the perfect canvas for all your holiday decorating ideas. It's a no-fail recipe that produces soft, delicious cookies that hold their shape perfectly every time.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For the Sugar Cookies
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 2 Baking Sheets
  • 1 Electric Mixer
  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 1 Cookie Cutters

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial to prevent spreading.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalProtein: 1.5gFat: 6gFiber: 0.5g

Notes

Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.
Chilling the dough is a critical step to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Do not overbake; the cookies will continue to set on the hot baking sheet after you remove them from the oven.
Keyword Christmas Cookies,holiday baking,sugar cookies

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