Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Get ready to delight your taste buds this holiday season with buttery, festive Buttercream Christmas Cookies! These charming treats combine the soft warmth of classic sugar cookies with a creamy, luscious buttercream frosting that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, gifting to friends, or just craving a sweet holiday snack, this easy, step-by-step recipe brings festive joy right into your kitchen with every cookie you make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect Holiday Treat: Buttercream Christmas Cookies bring classic seasonal flavors and festive looks together for unforgettable holiday moments.
• Simple Ingredients: Use staple pantry items that come together quickly but deliver big on flavor and texture.
• Fun to Decorate: Customize your cookies with colorful buttercream and sprinkles to match any holiday theme or personal style.
• Great for Gifting: These cookies keep well and look impressive in holiday tins or gift boxes, making them perfect presents.
• Kid-Friendly Baking: An easy recipe that kids will love to help with, sparking creativity and holiday cheer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, quality ingredients is key to making tasty Buttercream Christmas Cookies. Each component plays an essential role, from the soft texture of the cookie to the rich creaminess of the frosting.

• All-Purpose Flour: The base that creates a tender yet sturdy cookie perfect for decorating.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy flavor and helps achieve a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough for balanced flavor while helping achieve the right cookie structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture for the perfect chewiness.
• Baking Powder: Provides gentle rise for a light, airy crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, comforting flavor that complements the buttery base beautifully.
• Powdered Sugar: Essential for creating smooth, silky buttercream frosting.
• Milk or Heavy Cream: Helps achieve the perfect buttercream consistency, making it easy to spread or pipe.
• Food Coloring and Sprinkles: Optional, for adding festive hues and sparkle to your decorations.

Variations for Buttercream Christmas Cookies

There’s so much fun and flavor to be had by tweaking this Buttercream Christmas Cookies recipe. Feel free to experiment based on your taste buds, dietary needs, or that perfect holiday vibe you’re aiming for.

• Chocolate Twist: Add cocoa powder to the dough and make chocolate buttercream for richer flavor.
• Spiced Delight: Mix in cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger into the dough for classic holiday warmth.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute regular flour for a gluten-free blend for allergy-friendly treats.
• Vegan Friendly: Use plant-based butter, flax eggs, and a dairy-free milk option to make vegan-friendly Buttercream Christmas Cookies.
• Citrus Zest: Add a hint of lemon or orange zest to the frosting for a fresh, festive twist.

How to Make Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

Start by creaming the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This ensures your cookies will have that tender, buttery texture you love. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then slowly add to the wet ingredients until just combined. Chill the dough for at least an hour to make rolling easier and to enhance the flavor.

Step 2: Roll and Cut Shapes

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters—such as stars, trees, or snowflakes—to cut shapes. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, being careful not to overcrowd them.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Keep an eye on them; you want soft, tender cookies rather than crispy ones. Once baked, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Step 4: Make the Buttercream Frosting

While the cookies cool, prepare your buttercream. Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Add a splash of milk or heavy cream to loosen the frosting and vanilla extract for flavor. Beat until light and fluffy. Divide and tint portions with food coloring as desired for festive colors.

Step 5: Decorate Your Cookies

Spread or pipe the buttercream onto each cooled cookie. Get creative! Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or small candies for that extra holiday sparkle. Let the frosting set for a little while before serving or storing.

Pro Tips for Making Buttercream Christmas Cookies

• Chill Your Dough: It’s easier to roll out and prevents cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Use Room Temperature Butter: For both dough and frosting to ensure smooth folding and creamy texture.
• Don’t Overbake: Pull cookies out when edges are just golden to keep them soft and tender.
• Sift Powdered Sugar: Before mixing into buttercream for a silky smooth frosting without lumps.
• Experiment with Piping Tips: For different decoration styles, from smooth edges to intricate snowflake designs.

How to Serve Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

Brighten your Buttercream Christmas Cookies with festive garnishes like colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, crushed peppermint, or tiny candy pieces. These small touches instantly add holiday magic and texture to each bite.

Side Dishes

Pair your cookies with cozy side delights such as a warm cup of hot chocolate, spiced eggnog, or a fragrant holiday tea blend. These beverages perfectly complement the sweetness and creaminess of the buttercream frosting.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Buttercream Christmas Cookies on a festive platter, add decorative holiday linens, or package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for beautiful edible gifts. Consider stacking or layering cookies in jars or tins to impress friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer parchment paper between cookies to prevent them from sticking together or damaging the buttercream.

Freezing

Freeze un-frosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. For frosted cookies, freeze in a single layer uncovered until solid, then wrap carefully and return to the freezer, keeping the frosting intact.

Reheating

Buttercream Christmas Cookies are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If slightly chilled from the freezer, allow them to thaw naturally in the refrigerator or on the counter before serving to keep texture and flavor at their best.

FAQs

Can I use a different frosting instead of buttercream?

Absolutely! While buttercream is classic for its smooth texture and flavor, cream cheese frosting or royal icing can also be great alternatives depending on your taste preference.

Do I have to chill the dough before rolling it out?

Chilling the dough is highly recommended because it prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking and makes rolling out easier and cleaner.

How should I store decorated cookies if I’m not eating them right away?

Store decorated Buttercream Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment paper between layers to keep the frosting from sticking.

Can I prepare the dough and frosting ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the dough and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days, or freeze it for longer storage. Buttercream frosting can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; bring it back to room temperature and re-whip before using.

What’s the best way to get a smooth buttercream finish?

Beat your buttercream with powdered sugar and liquid thoroughly until it’s light and fluffy, and then use an offset spatula or piping bag for the smoothest application.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a freshly baked Buttercream Christmas Cookie—soft, buttery, and sweet with festive flair. This recipe makes holiday baking a breeze and adds a personal touch to your celebrations. So grab your mixing bowls, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy creating these delicious, colorful treats that everyone will love. Happy baking and happy holidays!

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