Tis the season for baking up a storm in the kitchen! If you’re looking to add a little extra cheer to your holiday celebrations, then you simply must try this Easy Christmas Cutout Cookies recipe. These festive treats are not only a delight to the senses, but they’re also surprisingly simple to make. Gather your cookie cutters and let’s dive in!
🍪 Reasons This Recipe Will Become a Favorite
What sets this Christmas cutout cookie recipe apart is the perfect balance of buttery richness, crisp edges, and delicate, melt-in-your-mouth centers. The key is striking the right ratio of ingredients and employing a few clever techniques to ensure your cookies turn out beautifully every single time. Plus, the dough is a dream to work with, making it easy to cut and transfer your festive shapes to the baking sheet without any hassle.
Another reason this recipe is destined to become a holiday classic is the endless possibilities for customization. Whether you prefer classic vanilla, zesty lemon, or even a hint of warm spices, the base dough lends itself perfectly to all sorts of flavor variations. And the decorating opportunities are truly endless – from sprinkles and sanding sugar to royal icing and edible glitter, the options are limited only by your imagination.
Ingredients
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
The key players in this Christmas cutout cookie recipe are the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, which work together to create the perfect tender-yet-crisp texture. The generous amount of butter lends a rich, melt-in-your-mouth quality, while the sugar adds a touch of sweetness that balances the flavors beautifully. And of course, the vanilla extract provides that classic holiday aroma and taste.
Instructions
- Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 3 days). Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing excessive spreading and maintaining the crisp edges.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Roll and Cut the Dough: Working with one disc of chilled dough at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes, transferring them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to barely brown. Be careful not to overbake, as the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with your choice of royal icing, sprinkles, or other festive toppings.
⏱️ Timing Overview
• Chill time: 120 minutes
• Baking time: 8-10 minutes
• Cooling time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 210 minutes
🍽️ Nutritional Information
Nutritional information is an estimate per serving, based on 24 servings.
• Protein: 2 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fat: 8 g
• Fiber: 0 g
🌱 Recipe Adaptations for Every Diet
• To Make it Vegan: Replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water).
• To Add a Festive Twist: Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a delightful spiced cookie. You can also zest a lemon or orange into the dough for a bright, citrusy note.
🍽️ Elevate Your Meal with These Serving Tips
• Garnish Suggestions: Dress up your cookies with a drizzle of royal icing, a sprinkle of sanding sugar, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a snow-covered effect.
• Beverage Pairing: These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, eggnog, or a fragrant Earl Grey tea.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Mistake 2 – Not Chilling the Dough Enough: Skimping on the chilling time can cause the cookies to spread excessively in the oven, resulting in a less defined shape and texture. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours (or up to 3 days) before rolling and cutting.
• Mistake 3 – Overworking the Dough: Be gentle when mixing the dough and avoid overworking it, as this can lead to tough, dense cookies. Once the dough comes together, stop mixing immediately.
🧊 How to Keep Your Leftovers Fresh ?
• Freezing: Unbaked cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap the discs tightly in plastic wrap and place in a resealable freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and baking. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months; store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat frozen baked cookies in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the cookies lose their crisp texture.
❓ FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
While you can use salted butter in this recipe, we recommend sticking with unsalted. The added salt in salted butter can throw off the delicate balance of flavors, resulting in cookies that are overly salty. If you only have salted butter on hand, reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
How can I achieve perfectly round cookies?
For the most precise and uniform cookie shapes, use a round cookie cutter and gently re-roll any scraps before cutting additional shapes. Be sure to chill the dough thoroughly, as this will help the cookies hold their shape during baking. You can also lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking and becoming misshapen.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe can easily be doubled to make a larger batch of Christmas cutout cookies. Just be sure to divide the dough into four discs instead of two when chilling, and work in smaller batches when rolling and cutting to prevent the dough from becoming too warm and sticky. Adjust the baking time as needed, keeping a close eye on the cookies to prevent overbaking.
How do I get my cookies to have crisp edges?
The key to achieving those delightfully crisp edges on your Christmas cutout cookies is to chill the dough thoroughly before baking. The longer chilling time helps the butter firm up, which prevents excessive spreading in the oven. Additionally, be sure not to overcrowd the baking sheets, as this can cause the cookies to steam rather than bake evenly.
Can I decorate the cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can absolutely decorate the cookies in advance! Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can apply royal icing, sprinkles, or other toppings. Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Just be mindful that the decorations may become a bit softer over time, so for the freshest presentation, it’s best to decorate close to when you plan to serve them.
🎄 Enjoy Your Delicious Creation!
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked Christmas cutout cookies wafting through the air, filling your home with the comforting scents of the holiday season. Whether you’re whipping up a batch to share with friends and family or keeping them all to yourself, these easy and delectable treats are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
So grab your favorite cookie cutters, preheat the oven, and get ready to create some magic in the kitchen. Merry Christmas, and happy baking!
Easy Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe
⏱️ Timing Overview
🥘 Ingredients
📝 Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 3 days). Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing excessive spreading and maintaining the crisp edges.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Working with one disc of chilled dough at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes, transferring them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to barely brown. Be careful not to overbake, as the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with your choice of royal icing, sprinkles, or other festive toppings.
