Name: Christmas Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup sugar; 1 large egg; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (Or half vanilla, half almond extract); 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted); 3-4 tbsp milk; 1 teaspoon light corn syrup (for shine, optional); Food coloring (for decorating)

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These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating. The dough is perfect for cut-out sugar cookies, and the glaze gives them a light, glossy finish. These are my go-to cookies when I want something festive, simple, and fun to decorate with a few sprinkles or colored icing.

Christmas Sugar Cookies By Tessie's Table. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table.

This recipe makes beautiful decorated Christmas cookies that hold their shape and bake evenly. You can chill the dough ahead of time, which makes baking day easier and less messy. I love to make a few batches, decorate them with friends, and package them up for gifts. Or do a dessert tray with Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, Chocolate Christmas Trees and Coconut Snowball Cookies.

Why you’ll love these Christmas Sugar Cookies

Soft and buttery:
The cookies bake up tender and full of flavor without being dry or crumbly.
Fun to decorate:
The smooth glaze icing is easy to color and pipe, perfect for holiday designs like trees and stars.
Perfect for gifting:
These cookies stack well once the icing sets, making them a great option for homemade Christmas cookie boxes.

Close-up of decorated Christmas tree sugar cookies with shiny glaze and a red glitter ornament.

Sugar Cookies For A Holiday Tradition

I love how cookies are a huge part of holiday traditions over here in America. I’m just getting into the swing of it and love how it brings everyone together in the kitchen, even if half the icing ends up on the counter. Every year, I make a big batch of these cookies and let everyone decorate their own. The Christmas trees always come out different, but that’s part of the fun.

Ingredients Needed for Christmas Sugar Cookies

Butter: Use softened unsalted butter for the best texture and flavor.
Sugar: Regular granulated sugar gives the cookies sweetness and structure.
Egg: Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
Vanilla and almond extract: A mix of the two gives these cookies that bakery-style flavor.
Flour: All-purpose flour keeps them light and easy to roll out.
Baking powder and salt: Help the cookies rise slightly and balance the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: The base for the glaze, sifted for smooth icing.
Milk: Controls the thickness of the glaze and makes it creamy.
Light corn syrup: Adds shine to the icing.
Food coloring: Green for trees, yellow for stars, or whatever colors fit your holiday theme.

Ingredients for Christmas Sugar Cookies Tessie's Table.

How to make Christmas Sugar Cookies

**For more detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below.**

Softened butter and sugar in a glass bowl ready to be creamed for Christmas sugar cookies.

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Creamed butter and sugar mixture with egg and vanilla extract added for cookie dough.

Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.

Smooth sugar cookie dough formed into a ball in a glass bowl before chilling. — Photo Credit: Tessie’s Table.

Gradually mix in flour, baking powder, and salt until a dough forms.

Sugar cookie dough divided into discs and wrapped in plastic wrap before chilling.

Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them, and chill for at least one hour.

Rolled-out cookie dough with Christmas tree shapes being cut out using a metal cookie cutter.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Cut into Christmas tree shapes.

Freshly baked Christmas tree cut-out sugar cookies cooling on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just set. Cool completely before icing.

Bowl of smooth white glaze icing ready to tint and decorate Christmas cookies.

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup until smooth.

Small bowls of glaze icing tinted red, yellow, and green for decorating Christmas sugar cookies.

Divide icing into bowls and tint with desired colors. Adjust thickness as needed for outlining or flooding.

Piping green glaze around the edge of a Christmas tree sugar cookie for decorating.

Outline the cookies first, then fill in with the icing. I used these Piping Bags.

Finished decorated Christmas tree sugar cookie with green icing, white garland, and red and yellow candy ornaments.

Decorate with the other colors, creating decorations on each Christmas Tree. Let icing set completely before serving or storing.

Variations

Classic sugar cookies: Skip the almond extract for a purely vanilla flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery dough.
Lemon twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough for a hint of citrus that brightens up the flavor. A light drizzle of lemon glaze on top can make them extra special for gifting.
Chocolate sugar cookies: Replace ½ cup of flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate version. These would look great on a cookie tray next to Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies or Coconut Snowball Cookies for contrast in color and flavor.
Sprinkle cookies: Mix festive sprinkles or nonpareils directly into the dough before rolling and baking. They add color without any extra decorating steps, perfect when you’re baking with kids.
Buttercream finish: Swap the glaze for a fluffy buttercream frosting and pipe on details like garlands or ornaments. It gives the cookies a softer finish and works well if you’re serving them fresh rather than packaging them.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday cookie trays: Add these cookies to your Christmas dessert trays with Turtle Thumbprint Cookies, Cherry Pie Cookies or Gingerbread Man Cookies and other festive favorites. The shiny glaze and tree shapes make them a standout addition.
Homemade gifts: Stack a few cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for thoughtful homemade gifts. They hold up well and look so cheerful when decorated with colorful icing.
Hot chocolate pairing: Serve them with mugs of creamy hot chocolate for a festive evening in front of the Christmas tree.
Cookie decorating party: Set out bowls of icing and sprinkles so everyone can design their own cookie. It’s an easy activity for family get-togethers or Christmas Eve traditions.
Dessert platter centerpiece: Arrange them on a large platter with candies, differnt types of fudge, like my Coconut Fudge or Butterscotch Peacan Fudge and some other fun No-Bake Desserts. The mix of shapes and colors makes for a beautiful display on any dessert table.

Storage and Freezing

How should I store Christmas Sugar Cookies?

Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you live in a humid climate, add a small piece of parchment between layers to keep them from sticking.

Can I freeze Christmas Sugar Cookies?

To freeze undecorated cookies, bake and cool completely before storing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to two months and can be decorated after thawing.
Iced cookies can also be frozen once the glaze is fully dry. Layer parchment paper between cookies, seal tightly, and thaw them on the counter before serving.

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Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies arranged on a white tray with red and white candy canes and festive decorations.

Tips & Tricks

Chill the dough well: A full hour of chilling keeps the cookies from spreading and helps with clean, sharp edges when using cookie cutters. You can even chill overnight if you want to prep ahead.
Use a light hand with flour: Too much extra flour while rolling can make the cookies dry. Lightly dust your surface and rolling pin just enough to keep the dough from sticking.
Check baking time early: Every oven bakes differently, so start checking around eight minutes. The cookies should look set but still pale on top for the perfect soft texture.
Let the icing set: After decorating, let the cookies dry completely before stacking or storing. This helps preserve the shine and keeps your decorations looking neat.
Experiment with colors: Divide your icing into several small bowls and mix up fun Christmas colors like red, green, and gold. It makes decorating feel more creative and festive.

More Holiday Favorites

Looking for more meal inspiration?

Browse my Holiday Recipes or check out my Desserts for more yummy ideas.

FAQ

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a day or two in advance. Wrap the dough tightly and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to roll and cut your cookies.
Can I use salted butter?
You can, but reduce the added salt slightly. It will still give that buttery flavor you love without being too salty.
How do I know when they’re done?
Look for edges that are set and just starting to turn pale golden. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake them.
Can I decorate with royal icing instead?
Absolutely. Royal icing will dry harder and is great if you need to stack or ship cookies.
Can I freeze decorated cookies?
Yes, just make sure the glaze is completely dry first. Stack them with parchment paper between layers to prevent smudging.
What if I don’t have corn syrup for the glaze?
You can leave it out. The glaze will still dry nicely, it just won’t have quite the same glossy finish.
How do I fix icing that’s too thick?
Add a tiny bit of milk at a time and whisk until it smooths out. A little goes a long way, so add carefully.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Of course. Just adjust the baking time by a minute or two, depending on the size of your cutters.
Can I flavor the glaze?
Yes, add a few drops of almond or peppermint extract to the glaze for a festive twist. It pairs beautifully with the buttery cookies.
Can I double this recipe for a big batch?
Definitely, this recipe doubles easily and is great for baking days when you’re making several types of cookie shapes to share.