Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

Celebrate the holiday season with these delightful Christmas Sugar Cookies! Buttery, sweet, and perfect for decorating, these cookies are a festive favorite. The easy icing adds a fun and customizable touch, making this recipe ideal for family gatherings or holiday baking projects.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

For the Easy Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

4. Divide the dough into two portions and flatten into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Cookies

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Roll out one dough disk on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
7. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the Icing

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add food coloring as desired.

Step 6: Decorate the Cookies

1. Use a piping bag or small spoon to spread or drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles or decorations before the icing sets.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze the cookies?
Absolutely! Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before icing.How do I adjust the icing consistency?
For thinner icing, add a little more milk. For thicker icing, add more powdered sugar.