Description
Classic Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery treats with a subtle hint of almond extract and a festive sprinkle of red and green sanding sugar. These easy-to-make cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 stick salted butter softened
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- Red & Green Sanding Sugar
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl add softened butter, softened cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Using a hand mixer, beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Turn the hand mixer to low speed and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 2 hours to firm up and develop flavors.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: After chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart.
- Decorate: Using a fork, press down lightly to create a crisscross pattern on each cookie ball. Sprinkle generously with red and green sanding sugar.
- Bake: Bake the cookies at 350 degrees F for 11 minutes. Avoid overbaking; the cookies should remain soft and slightly undercooked in appearance when removed.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Soften butter and cream cheese fully before mixing to avoid lumps in the dough.
- Remove cookies slightly underbaked as they will firm up while cooling, preserving softness.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookie sizes and even baking.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days to maintain freshness.
- Reheat cookies in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to enjoy them warm and soft.
- Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Make dough up to 2-3 days in advance and keep refrigerated, or freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
