Description
Buttercream Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery sugar cookies topped with smooth, creamy buttercream frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or festive snacking, these cookies combine easy-to-find pantry ingredients with fun decorating options to bring joyful holiday flavor and charm to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy to ensure a tender, buttery texture. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then gradually add to the wet ingredients until just combined. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour to make rolling easier and enhance flavor.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters such as stars, trees, or snowflakes to cut shapes. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them apart to avoid overcrowding.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden. Watch carefully to keep cookies soft and tender rather than crispy. Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Buttercream Frosting: Beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Add milk or heavy cream a tablespoon at a time to reach a spreadable consistency and add vanilla extract for flavor. Beat until light and fluffy. Divide frosting and tint with food coloring as desired for festive colors.
- Decorate Your Cookies: Spread or pipe the buttercream onto completely cooled cookies. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or small candies for extra holiday sparkle. Allow frosting to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chill Your Dough: Makes rolling easier and prevents excessive spreading while baking.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: For both dough and frosting to ensure smooth mixing and creamy texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies when edges are just golden to keep soft, tender texture.
- Sift Powdered Sugar: Helps create lump-free, silky smooth buttercream frosting.
- Experiment with Piping Tips: Use different tips to create various decorative effects.
- Store decorated cookies in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers to protect buttercream.
- Freeze un-frosted cookies for up to 3 months; frosting can be made ahead and stored refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, buttercream frosting, holiday baking, sugar cookies, festive treats
