Description
These Easy Soft Christmas Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, buttery, and lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extract, these cookies come with a festive touch of red and green sanding sugar that adds a fun crunch and color. They are simple to make, requiring basic pantry ingredients, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any Christmas gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 stick salted butter, softened (113 grams)
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened (56 grams)
- 1½ cups sugar (300 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (312 grams)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (8 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- Red & Green sanding sugar, for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. This ensures a soft texture for the cookies.
- Add eggs and extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the dough with rich flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up, which helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup.
- Shape and decorate: Scoop dough balls roughly 1.5 tablespoons each and roll gently between your palms. Roll the dough balls in the red and green sanding sugar to coat the surface, creating a festive look.
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough balls spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps them firm up without losing softness inside.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh baking soda to ensure proper rising.
- Chilling the dough is important to avoid cookies spreading too thin.
- You can substitute almond extract with an equal amount of additional vanilla extract if preferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain softness.
- Red and green sanding sugar adds a festive flair but can be omitted or substituted with colored sprinkles.
Keywords: soft Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, cream cheese cookies, easy Christmas dessert, festive cookies