If you’re looking for a treat that perfectly captures the spirit of the holidays, look no further than this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the nostalgic richness of buttery goodness with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that screams festive cheer. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or a cozy night in, these cookies are simple to make, irresistibly delicious, and offer endless opportunities for creative decorating. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’s going to become a staple on your holiday baking list every year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe relies on a handful of simple, classic ingredients that each play an important role in creating the perfect cookie. From the creamy butter to the fragrant vanilla, every item is essential for achieving that ideal balance of flavor and texture.
- 2 ¼ cups flour: Provides structure to the cookies and ensures they hold their shape beautifully.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness for a richer taste.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The star of the recipe, responsible for the tender texture and buttery flavor.
- 2 egg yolks: Adds moisture and richness while helping to bind the ingredients together.
- ¾ cup sugar: Sweetens the dough just right and contributes to a light, fluffy texture when creamed with butter.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings out a warm, aromatic depth that makes these cookies extra special.
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (optional): Helps achieve the perfect dough consistency if needed.
- Melted chocolate & sprinkles (optional): Perfect for dipping and decorating to add a festive touch and extra flavor contrast.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Flour and Salt
Start by whisking together the flour and salt in a medium bowl. This simple dry mix forms the base of your cookie dough, ensuring even distribution of salt so every bite has a balanced flavor.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
In a larger bowl, beat your softened unsalted butter and sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is critical because the air you incorporate here makes the cookies wonderfully tender and gives them their delicate crumb.
Step 3: Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla Extract
Next, beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until the ingredients are fully incorporated. The egg yolks add richness while the vanilla deepens the flavor profile, creating that classic buttery aroma we all love.
Step 4: Stir in Flour Mixture Until Just Combined
Gradually add your flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here, as you want to keep your cookies tender with a soft texture.
Step 5: Preheat Oven to 350°F (175°C)
While you finish preparing your dough, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or 175 degrees Celsius, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 6: Pipe 1½-Inch Swirls on a Parchment-Lined Pan
Transfer your dough to a piping bag and pipe out neat 1½-inch swirls on the prepared baking sheet. This gives your cookies a beautiful shape and makes them look like you spent hours on presentation.
Step 7: Bake for 10–12 Minutes Until Edges Are Golden
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until their edges develop a delicate golden hue. This ensures they’re perfectly crisp on the outside but still tender within.
Step 8: Cool, Dip in Melted Chocolate, and Sprinkle
Once baked, let your cookies cool completely. Then, if you want to get creative, dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle colorful festive decorations on top. This step makes your Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe even more festive and fun to share!
How to Serve Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your cookies can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. A quick dip in melted chocolate combined with sprinkles or finely chopped nuts instantly adds both texture and visual appeal. For a subtle twist, consider dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling a thin glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Side Dishes
Pairing Christmas Butter Cookies with the right side dishes can elevate your holiday gatherings. Serve alongside cups of rich hot cocoa, spiced chai, or even robust coffee to complement the cookie’s buttery flavor. Fresh fruit slices or a small bowl of whipped cream can also add a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is everything, especially during the holidays! Arrange your cookies on festive platters with pine sprigs or cinnamon sticks for a charming touch. You can also package them in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons as wonderful edible gifts that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Christmas Butter Cookies keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to prevent sogginess. Layering parchment paper between cookies helps maintain their shape and prevents sticking.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookies either before baking or after they have cooled. If freezing dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil to protect against freezer burn, then thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. For baked cookies, store them in a freezer-safe container and enjoy them frozen for up to three months.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies after storage, warm them briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked aroma and crispness without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
While unsalted butter is preferred for better control over salt levels, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have. Just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste.
Why is the dough crumbly and hard to pipe?
If your dough seems too dry or crumbly, try adding a little milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough reaches a smoother consistency that’s easier to pipe.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking, and you should get similar results. Just be mindful that texture can vary slightly.
How long do Christmas Butter Cookies last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for about a week at room temperature, making them perfect for holiday parties and gifting.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
To make a vegan version, replace butter with a plant-based butter substitute and use a flax or chia seed egg instead of egg yolks. Note that the flavor and texture may differ slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe enough! It’s the perfect blend of simple ingredients and straightforward steps that result in buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies everyone will adore. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a holiday party, or just craving something sweet and festive, these cookies are guaranteed to warm your heart and spread joy all season long. Give this recipe a try and watch it become your new holiday favorite.
Print
Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these classic Christmas Butter Cookies that are buttery, tender, and perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla, these cookies are piped into elegant swirls, baked to golden perfection, and optionally decorated with melted chocolate and festive sprinkles for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 egg yolks
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Melted chocolate for dipping
- Festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and salt; set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using a mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Add egg yolks and vanilla: Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, beating until fully combined.
- Combine with dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture. Optionally, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the dough needs slight loosening.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pipe the dough: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip or desired nozzle, pipe 1½-inch swirls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool and decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, optionally dip them in melted chocolate and add festive sprinkles for decoration.
Notes
- For softer cookies, do not overbake; remove them once the edges turn just golden.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off or simply shape the dough with a spoon.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Milk is optional and can help adjust dough consistency if it’s too thick to pipe smoothly.
- Feel free to customize by adding lemon zest or almond extract for a twist in flavor.
