Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These soft frosted Christmas cookies are the perfect holiday treat, with a tender texture and sweet frosting that makes them irresistible. This easy recipe delivers the best soft frosted Christmas cookies for your cookie trays and gatherings. For more festive baking ideas, try the Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe or Hummingbird Cake Recipe.

Ingredients

These soft Christmas cookies deliver perfectly tender, cake-like texture with rich vanilla flavor, topped with creamy buttercream that melts in your mouth.

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, measured properly
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• For the Buttercream Frosting:
• 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups (284 g) confectioner’s sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• Food coloring & sprinkles (optional)

Timing

Prep Time	20 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes
Total Time	30 minutes

Context: These Soft Christmas Cookies are about 20% faster than similar recipes, making them perfect for busy holiday baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough, which helps create that soft, tender texture in your finished Soft Christmas Cookies.

Tip: Ensure your butter is at cool room temperature (about 65°F) for optimal creaming. If it’s too warm, the cookies may spread excessively during baking.

Step 2 — Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing. The egg provides structure while the vanilla enhances the classic holiday flavor profile.

For extra soft cookies, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream or Greek yogurt at this stage to increase moisture content.

Step 3 — Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking aerates the flour and ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout your Soft Christmas Cookies dough.

For the softest texture, consider replacing 2 tablespoons of flour with cornstarch, which creates a more tender crumb.

Step 4 — Mix Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing can develop gluten and make cookies tough rather than soft.

The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5 — Chill Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Chilling solidifies the butter and prevents the Soft Christmas Cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

For best results, chill the dough until firm to the touch but still pliable enough to roll out.

Step 6 — Roll and Cut

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters to create your desired shapes, working quickly to keep the dough cool.

Dip your cookie cutters in flour between cuts to prevent sticking and ensure clean edges on your Soft Christmas Cookies.

Step 7 — Bake to Perfection

Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are just barely beginning to turn golden while the centers still look slightly underdone.

For uniformly soft cookies, rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking and avoid overbaking. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Step 8 — Cool Properly

Allow the Soft Christmas Cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps them set without becoming crisp.

Never frost warm cookies, as the icing will melt and become messy. Wait until they’re completely cooled before decorating.

Nutritional Information

Calories	120
Protein	1g
Carbohydrates	18g
Fat	5g
Fiber	0g
Sodium	85mg

Note: Estimates based on typical ingredients and serving size.

Healthier Alternatives

• Almond Flour — A gluten-free, lower-carb swap that adds nutty flavor and keeps your Soft Christmas Cookies tender.
• Coconut Sugar — A lower-glycemic alternative with caramel notes, perfect for sweetening Soft Christmas Cookies naturally.
• Greek Yogurt — Replaces some butter for added protein and a subtle tang, while maintaining soft texture.
• Applesauce — A low-fat, dairy-free substitute for oil that adds moisture and light fruity sweetness.
• Oat Flour — A whole-grain, gluten-free option that yields a hearty, soft crumb in Christmas cookies.
• Vanilla Protein Powder — Boosts protein content subtly, enhancing flavor without overpowering spice notes.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk — A dairy-free liquid swap that keeps cookies moist with a mild, neutral taste.
• Reduced-Sodium Baking Powder — Lowers sodium content while ensuring your Soft Christmas Cookies rise properly.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair these Soft Christmas Cookies with a mug of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider for a cozy holiday treat.
• Create a festive cookie platter by arranging Soft Christmas Cookies alongside gingerbread men and shortbread stars.
• Serve Soft Christmas Cookies as edible gifts in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with a ribbon.
• Add a dollop of vanilla ice cream between two Soft Christmas Cookies for an impromptu holiday ice cream sandwich.
• Present Soft Christmas Cookies on a tiered stand at your holiday party for an elegant, easy-to-reach display.
• Crumble Soft Christmas Cookies over a bowl of vanilla pudding or yogurt for a festive parfait.

For a beautiful presentation, dust your Soft Christmas Cookies with powdered sugar just before serving to make the colors and shapes pop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Overmixing the dough, which develops too much gluten. Fix: Mix just until the flour disappears for a tender, soft Christmas cookie.
• Mistake: Using melted butter instead of softened butter. Fix: Cream room-temperature butter with sugar to incorporate air for a soft texture.
• Mistake: Baking at too high a temperature, causing cookies to spread and harden. Fix: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for even cooking and a soft center.
• Mistake: Overbaking by just a minute or two, which dries them out. Fix: Remove cookies when edges are lightly golden; centers will firm up as they cool.
• Mistake: Not chilling the dough, leading to excessive spreading. Fix: Chill dough for at least 1 hour to solidify the fat and control spread.
• Mistake: Measuring flour incorrectly, resulting in a dense cookie. Fix: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off for accuracy.
• Mistake: Using only granulated sugar, which creates a crispier texture. Fix: Use a mix of brown and white sugar; brown sugar adds moisture for softness.
• Mistake: Rolling dough too thin, producing crisp, brittle cookies. Fix: Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness for a plump, soft Christmas cookie.
• Mistake: Storing cookies while still warm, which creates steam and sogginess. Fix: Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container.

Storing Tips

• Fridge: Store Soft Christmas Cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Place cooled Soft Christmas Cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or frozen Soft Christmas Cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–8 minutes until heated through.

Always ensure reheated Soft Christmas Cookies reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety.

Conclusion

These soft Christmas cookies are a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings. I hope you love baking them as much as I do! Try this recipe and share your results in the comments. For more seasonal baking, check out my Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting Recipe or Pumpkin Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Subscribe for more delicious recipes!

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FAQs

How do I keep my Soft Christmas Cookies from spreading too much?

Chill your dough thoroughly before baking. This prevents the butter from melting too quickly and helps the cookies hold their shape, ensuring perfectly soft Christmas cookies.

Can I freeze the dough for these Soft Christmas Cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling and baking to maintain the texture of your soft Christmas cookies.

Why are my Soft Christmas Cookies tough instead of soft?

Overmixing the dough develops too much gluten, which leads to a tough texture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and avoid over-baking to keep your cookies soft.