If you’re searching for that perfect treat to brighten up your holiday gatherings, look no further than this Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe. These cookies strike the ideal balance between tender, melt-in-your-mouth softness and festive flavors that truly capture the spirit of the season. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with colorful holiday sprinkles, and finished with a luscious icing, they are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every time you share them. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just to satisfy your own sweet tooth, these cookies embody cozy holiday magic in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe, you’ll use simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together to create an irresistible Christmas classic. Each component plays an essential role—from the rich combination of butter and shortening that ensures softness, to the blend of spices that adds festive warmth.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the sturdy base of the cookie dough, providing perfect structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for that soft, airy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to give slight leavening and tenderness.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy spice, quintessential for Christmas treats.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Provides a subtle hint of sweetness and depth.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves: This potent spice infuses a festive aroma that’s uniquely holiday.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Contributes rich flavor and keeps the cookies moist.
- 1/2 cup shortening: Works with butter to maintain softness after baking.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie structure.
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed: Brings a hint of molasses flavor and extra moisture.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with deep, sweet notes.
- 1/2 cup sour cream: Key for extra tenderness and a slight tang.
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles or colored sugar: For cheerful decoration and crunch.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: The base for the smooth, sweet icing.
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk: Adjusts icing consistency for easy spreading.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing): Adds flavor to the glaze.
- Food coloring (optional): Lets you get creative with icing colors to brighten up your cookies.
How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This blend of spices and leavening sets the foundation for your Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe.
Step 2: Cream the Fats and Sugars
Using a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This step is crucial for achieving the cookie’s tender texture and sweetness that feels just right.
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
Beat in two large eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract. Stir in the sour cream until you have a smooth, velvety batter. The sour cream adds a moist richness that keeps these cookies soft for days.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so keep it gentle and watch how the dough comes together effortlessly.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of this luscious dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for gentle spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies are set but still soft in the center. Remember, these cookies will firm up a bit as they cool—so take them out when they look slightly underbaked.
Step 6: Cool and Decorate
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. To make the icing, whisk powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk and vanilla extract until smooth. Divide into bowls and add food coloring if desired. Spread the icing over your cooled cookies and sprinkle liberally with holiday sprinkles for that extra festive touch.
How to Serve Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe
Garnishes
Choosing the right garnishes can really elevate these cookies. Colorful holiday sprinkles or shimmering colored sugars are perfect, adding just the right balance of color and crunch. For extra elegance, try edible glitter or chopped nuts sprinkled on top of the icing before it sets.
Side Dishes
Pair these soft delights with warm cups of spiced cider, creamy hot chocolate, or a smooth vanilla latte to complement the sweet, spiced flavors. They also shine when served alongside other holiday treats like gingerbread or peppermint bark, creating a festive cookie platter everyone will adore.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe on decorative holiday plates or tiered stands to create an inviting dessert display. Wrap individual cookies in clear cellophane tied with a colorful ribbon for gifts or party favors. You can also make a cookie decorating party out of it, letting guests personalize their own creations!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cookies soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly tender for up to several days, making them a great make-ahead option for busy holiday schedules.
Freezing
If you want to prep early, these cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature, then optionally add fresh icing.
Reheating
Warm your cookies gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds or a few minutes in a low oven to revive that fresh-baked softness and melt any icing slightly. This tiny touch makes them taste like they just came out of the oven again.
FAQs
Can I substitute the shortening with all butter?
Yes, you can replace shortening with all butter for a richer flavor, but the cookies might be slightly less soft and a bit more spread out during baking. Using half butter and half shortening provides a nice balance.
How long do these Soft Christmas Cookies last?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay soft and delicious for up to one week at room temperature.
Is it necessary to use sour cream in the recipe?
Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness, making these cookies uniquely soft. You can substitute with Greek yogurt if needed, but plain yogurt might change the texture a bit.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of a gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. Keep in mind that texture may slightly differ but still delicious.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing with icing already applied?
It’s best to freeze the cookies plain and add the icing after thawing. This keeps the icing fresh and prevents it from cracking or becoming gritty.
Final Thoughts
Making these Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe is truly like wrapping your holiday in a warm, sweet hug. With their tender crumb, cozy spices, and cheerful frosting, they’re more than just cookies—they’re memories in the making. So go ahead, gather those ingredients, bring a little extra sparkle to your kitchen, and share the joy of festive baking with everyone you love. Your holidays just got a little softer and a whole lot sweeter.
Print
Soft Christmas Cookies: A Festive Delight for Every Celebration Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Christmas Cookies offer a festive and delightful treat perfect for any holiday celebration. Featuring a blend of warm spices and a tender crumb, these cookies are enriched with sour cream for extra softness and topped with a colorful, sweet icing that adds a cheerful holiday touch.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Decorations and Icing
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. This evenly distributes the leavening agents and spices for consistent flavor.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s soft texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until incorporated. This builds the structure and flavor of the dough.
- Incorporate Sour Cream: Stir in the sour cream until the batter is smooth and creamy. The sour cream adds moisture and tenderness to the cookies.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are set but still soft to the touch. Avoid overbaking to retain their softness.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before decorating to ensure the icing sets properly.
- Prepare Icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add food coloring if desired to create festive colors.
- Decorate Cookies: Spread the icing on the cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with holiday sprinkles or colored sugar for a festive finish.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, divide the icing into small bowls and tint each with different holiday colors before decorating.
- These cookies stay soft for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
