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These Christmas cookies have been a beloved holiday tradition in our family, filling our kitchen with warmth and cheer each season. Their soft texture and delightful decoration make them irresistible—a perfect pairing with hot cocoa by the fire.
The first time I made these cookies was for a holiday party, and they became an instant favorite. Now, they’re a must-do as we gather for our seasonal baking day.
Ingredients
- For the Soft Cookies:
- Unsalted butter softened: ensures richness and the right creamy consistency.
- Granulated sugar: provides sweetness and a touch of crispness.
- Large eggs: add moisture and structure to the dough.
- All-purpose flour: the foundation for the cookies' texture. Select fresh and high-quality flour for best results.
- Baking powder: helps give the cookies a light rise.
- Baking soda: reacts with the sour cream for extra tenderness.
- Salt: balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Vanilla extract: infuses the cookies with a warm holiday aroma.
- Sour cream: keeps the cookies supremely soft and moist.
- For the Icing:
- Powdered sugar: creates a smooth, sweet glaze.
- Milk: used to adjust icing consistency.
- Vanilla extract: adds rich flavor to the icing.
- Holiday sprinkles: the finishing touch for festive cheer.
How To Make Christmas Cookies
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- Whip softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue until the mixture is pale and fluffy, as this step ensures soft and tender cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the creamed butter and sugar blend. Add vanilla extract to infuse the dreamy holiday flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt thoroughly. This ensures even distribution in the dough.
- Create the Dough:
- Add the dry ingredient mixture gradually to the wet ingredients. Stir in sour cream last, blending until the dough is smooth and thick. Chill the dough for 30 to 60 minutes for optimal texture and ease of shaping.
- Shape Cookies:
- Roll the chilled dough into small balls and space them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake:
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F or 180°C for 10 to 12 minutes. Look for edges that are set but tops that remain pale for soft cookies.
- Cool and Decorate:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Mix the icing ingredients into a smooth glaze and spread over each cookie. Top with festive sprinkles while the icing is still wet to make them sparkle.
Adding sour cream truly sets these cookies apart. I still remember experimenting with it one Christmas Eve, and it resulted in the softest cookies we’d ever tasted. It has been a non-negotiable in our recipe ever since.
Storage Tips
Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining their soft texture. For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies and simply glaze them once thawed.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you’re out of sour cream, you can replace it with plain full-fat yogurt or even buttermilk for a similar result. Almond extract can be used in place of vanilla for a nutty twist.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies with a hot beverage like mulled wine or hot chocolate. Or, incorporate them into a festive dessert platter with a variety of Christmas treats for a beautiful centerpiece.
These cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a family tradition in every bite, filled with holiday spirit and joy. Perfect for creating memories in your kitchen.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep the cookies soft?
The key to soft cookies is properly creaming the butter and sugar, adding sour cream to the dough, and avoiding over-baking the cookies.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, the dough can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature slightly before shaping.
- → What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?
Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth icing. Drizzle it over the cookies and top with holiday sprinkles.
- → What makes these cookies fluffy and soft?
The use of baking powder, baking soda, and sour cream creates a tender and moist texture, while proper mixing technique ensures fluffiness.
- → Can I use substitutions for sour cream?
Yes, you can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt or buttermilk for a similar effect on texture and flavor.