These Soft Christmas Cookies are the kind of holiday treat that brings instant warmth, nostalgia, and happiness to any home. Their buttery, pillowy texture melts in your mouth with every bite, and the festive vanilla icing topped with bright red and green sprinkles makes them look as magical as they taste. Whether you grew up eating classic sugar cookies around the holidays or you’re creating new traditions with family and friends, these cookies offer that timeless Christmas feeling everyone loves.
What sets these Soft Christmas Cookies apart from regular sugar cookies is their texture—soft, tender, moist, and slightly cakey without being too fluffy. They stay soft for days, making them perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, school events, holiday bake sales, or family movie nights. Their flavor is perfectly balanced: buttery and lightly sweet with a warm vanilla aroma that fills your kitchen with the scent of Christmas.
Across the USA, these cookies are trending every December because they’re reliable, easy to customize, and visually beautiful. They hold their shape without flattening too much, they don’t spread excessively, and they accept icing beautifully. You can keep them simple with white frosting or go all-out with colorful holiday designs. They’re also incredibly forgiving—ideal for beginner bakers and pros alike.
If you’re searching for a holiday dessert that tastes just as good as it looks—festive, soft, sweet, comforting, and fun to make—these Soft Christmas Cookies will easily become your signature holiday treat. Kids love decorating them, adults love eating them, and they never last long on the table.
⭐ Ingredients
For the Soft Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream (for extra softness)
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Holiday sprinkles
⭐ How to Make Soft Christmas Cookies
Step 1 – Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat softened butter and sugar together until pale, fluffy, and airy. This aeration is the foundation of soft cookies.
Step 2 – Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla for warm holiday flavor.
Step 3 – Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
Step 4 – Create the Dough
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture gradually. Stir in sour cream—the secret to extremely soft cookies.
Step 5 – Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to improve shape and texture.
Step 6 – Shape Cookies
Roll dough into small balls. Place them on a baking sheet with space between each.
Step 7 – Bake
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10–12 minutes. Edges should be set but tops pale—this is what keeps cookies soft.
Step 8 – Cool & Decorate
Let cookies cool fully. Mix icing until smooth and drizzle or spread on top. Decorate with festive sprinkles.
⭐ Cooking Notes
The tenderness of these Soft Christmas Cookies depends on three things: not overworking the dough, proper creaming of the butter and sugar, and careful baking. Overmixing once the flour is added can create tough cookies. Always cream butter and sugar until fluffy—this step incorporates tiny air pockets that give cookies their soft texture.
Temperature matters, too. If your butter is too cold, it won’t cream well. If it’s too warm, the cookies may spread too much. Aim for butter that is soft but still holds shape. Sour cream is crucial—it adds moisture and tenderness.
When baking, watch the cookies closely. The biggest mistake people make is waiting for the tops to brown. These cookies should stay pale—they will finish cooking on the baking sheet as they cool. For thicker cookies, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of flour. For softer cookies, reduce baking powder slightly.
Humidity also affects dough. If your dough feels sticky, chill longer. If it becomes too firm, let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before shaping.
⭐ Flavor Variations
1. Vanilla Bean Christmas Cookies
Use vanilla bean paste for a richer flavor.
2. Peppermint Snow Cookies
Add peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
3. Orange Frosted Cookies
Add orange zest + orange extract for a citrusy twist.
4. Gingerbread Soft Cookies
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for holiday spice.
5. Almond Bakery Cookies
Replace vanilla with almond extract—bakery-style delicious.
6. Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
Dip cooled cookies in white or dark chocolate.
7. Coconut Winter Cookies
Add shredded coconut inside the dough and sprinkle on top.
⭐ Expert Tips
Use room temperature eggs.
Always chill dough for consistent results.
For even baking, rotate your sheet pan halfway through.
Avoid flattening cookie balls—they will flatten slightly in the oven. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash of milk.
Always let icing dry completely before stacking.
To help cookies keep their shape, bake on parchment instead of greased pans.
If sprinkles bleed, add them right after icing—not before.
⭐ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overbaking dries out the cookies. Adding too much flour makes them dense. Skipping sour cream removes moisture. Not chilling dough leads to spreading. Using hot baking sheets from a previous batch causes cookies to flatten too quickly.
Adding icing when cookies are warm causes it to melt, ruining the decoration. Using old baking powder affects rise.
⭐ Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies with hot chocolate, Christmas punch, peppermint lattes, eggnog, mulled cider, or coffee. Add them to cookie bars, dessert tables, gift baskets, or party platters. They’re beautiful alongside gingerbread muffins, holiday bark, or no-bake dessert cups.
For a charming touch, place cookies on festive trays lined with parchment and tie cellophane bags with ribbons for gifting teachers, neighbors, or coworkers.
⭐ Party Serving Ideas
Create a DIY cookie-decorating table with bowls of sprinkles, colored icing, edible glitter, crushed candy canes, cookie stamps, piping bags, and snowflake toppers. Provide kids with aprons and small boxes to take their creations home.
For adult parties, pair these cookies with holiday cocktails like Gingerbread Martinis, Kissing Santa Claus Mocktails, and Peppermint White Russians.
⭐ Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Store Soft Christmas Cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days in an airtight tin. Add a slice of bread to the container to keep cookies soft longer—the bread absorbs air while cookies stay fresh.
Freeze unbaked dough balls up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes. Frozen baked cookies should be thawed before icing.
You can also freeze icing separately in small bags.
⭐ Nutrition (Approx.)
Calories: 145
Sugar: 12g
Carbs: 18g
Fat: 7g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: <1g
⭐ FAQs
Why aren’t my cookies soft? Most likely overbaked. Remove earlier.
Why did my cookies spread? Dough wasn’t chilled or butter was too warm.
Can I make these gluten-free? Yes—use GF all-purpose flour blend.
Can I dye the dough? Yes—use gel coloring for vibrant Christmas shades.
Can I double the recipe? Yes—recipe scales perfectly.
💫 More Christmas Recipes
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
- White Christmas Rum Balls
- Christmas Pavlova Trifle
- Frostbite Martini
🔗 External Links
⭐ Conclusion
These Soft Christmas Cookies deliver everything we love about the holidays—comfort, color, sweetness, and joy. With their irresistible texture, festive decorations, and effortless preparation, they’re guaranteed to become a yearly favorite at your table. Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising loved ones with homemade gifts, or simply craving something sweet and cozy, these cookies will always bring holiday magic to every bite.
