Name: Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 2 h 21 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 stick salted butter softened; 2 ounces cream cheese softened; 1½ cups sugar; 2 large eggs; 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 2½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; Red & Green Sanding Sugar

Nothing quite says the holidays like the smell of vanilla and sugar wafting through your kitchen. This Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is my go-to for festive baking because it’s soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet — plus, decorating them is half the fun!

A white plate holds about fifteen soft round cookies stacked in a loose pile, each cookie a pale golden color with a slightly cracked surface. Each cookie is decorated on top with coarse sugar sprinkles in two colors: bright red and bright green, scattered mostly in the center and fading outwards. Each cookie has a shallow grid pattern pressed into its top, made by pressing with a fork, giving it a textured look. Crumbs and a few sprinkles scatter lightly around the plate edge. The background is a white marbled surface and blurred holiday items add soft colors behind the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made a lot of Christmas cookies over the years, and this particular Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe has always stood out. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tender, and just a little chewy. Plus, it’s simple enough that you can make a big batch with the kids or friends and enjoy decorating together.

Soft, But Not Too Soft: These cookies hold their shape beautifully without turning into rock-hard biscuits.
Flavor Boost: The subtle hint of almond extract adds a delicious twist to the classic vanilla base.
Easy to Decorate: Their slightly puffy top and soft texture make them perfect for sanding sugar or any creative icing you want to add.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough days in advance, so holiday baking fits seamlessly into your schedule.

A white plate with a stack of light golden round cookies in the center. Each cookie has a textured pattern of fork marks on top, covered with colored sugar sprinkles, some in green and others in red. The top cookie leans slightly to show its side, revealing soft texture and thickness. Around the stack, more cookies are placed flat on the plate, with red and green sugar sprinkles scattered lightly on the white marbled surface below. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe plays an important role — creating that tender crumb and cozy flavor we all love. I always make sure to get good quality butter and fresh vanilla vanilla extract for the best results.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened pale yellow salted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth white cream cheese, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with granulated white sugar, two large brown eggs with clean uncracked shells, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with light amber almond extract, a neat pile of fine off-white all-purpose flour, a small mound of bright white cornstarch, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine beige baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white salt, and two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with sparkling red sanding sugar and the other with sparkling green sanding sugar—placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb; make sure it’s softened for easier mixing.
Cream Cheese: This is what takes these cookies from ordinary to exceptional — it adds moisture and a slight tang.
Sugar: Gives sweetness and helps with that beautiful soft texture.
Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cookie’s structure.
Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancement that’s essential in any sugar cookie.
Almond Extract: A subtle note that ups the festive feel without overpowering.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, provides structure.
Cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies soft and delicate by lightening the flour.
Baking Soda: Gives just the right lift without puffing the cookies too much.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors wonderfully.
Red & Green Sanding Sugar: Festive sparkle and crunch — pretty much optional but highly recommended for the holiday vibe.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is — once you’re comfortable with the base, you can easily add your own twists! I often swap almond extract for peppermint oil during December for a festive touch or mix in some finely chopped nuts for a little crunch.

Variation: I once tried adding citrus zest to the dough, and it gave such a lovely fresh brightness — perfect if you want a twist on tradition.
Dietary Alternatives: You can substitute the butter with vegan sticks and use a flax egg to make it dairy-free and vegan-friendly with decent results.
Decorating: Try rolling some cookies in colored sugar, then drizzle with chocolate once cooled for an extra-special touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar

Start by making sure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened — trust me, it makes mixing so much easier and prevents lumps from ruining the texture. Using a hand mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes. This step creates air bubbles that help keep the cookies soft.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Then, add the dry ingredients gradually to the wet mixture on low speed. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides to make sure everything is fully incorporated. The dough will form soft — not sticky — balls.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

This is a crucial step. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to handle, and helps the cookies keep their shape during baking. I usually prepare this the day before if I’m short on time.

Step 4: Shape and Decorate

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them at least one inch apart on the tray. Using a fork, gently press down on each ball to create a classic crisscross pattern. Then sprinkle generously with red or green sanding sugar for that festive sparkle.

Step 5: Bake Carefully

Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. Watch closely — you don’t want them to brown at all. They should look just a bit undercooked when you take them out. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes; they’ll firm up as they cool, resulting in that perfect soft texture.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe — things I wish I knew from the start.

Softening Butter & Cream Cheese: Leave these out on the counter for at least 1 hour ahead or cut them into small cubes so they come to room temperature faster and mix evenly.
Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies out just before edges start to color. They’ll finish cooking on the tray and stay tender.
Cookie Scoop Magic: Using a cookie scoop helps keep each cookie uniform in size, so they bake evenly — I never skip this step.
Prep Your Pans: Always line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats to avoid sticky bottoms and fast clean-up.

How to Serve Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love keeping things classic with red and green sanding sugar — it gives these cookies a little shimmer without hiding the tender texture. Sometimes, I add a simple drizzle of white chocolate or a dab of royal icing for extra festivity. Sprinkles also make a joyful addition, especially if baking with kids!

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a warm cup of mulled cider, hot cocoa, or a rich eggnog. If you’re hosting a cookie swap or party, pairing them with salted caramel or chocolate dips is an unexpected treat your guests will adore.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped batches in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon to give as gifts — it always feels so special. Another fun idea is to create a cookie platter shaped like a Christmas tree or wreath, mixing these sugar cookies with gingerbread and peppermint bark for a festive display that doubles as décor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually layer them with parchment paper to avoid any sticking. They stay fresh and soft for about 5 to 7 days — though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

I like to freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or give them a gentle zap in the microwave.

Reheating

If you enjoy your cookies warm, I recommend microwaving them for 5-10 seconds — just enough to soften them up without melting the sanding sugar. This little trick brings back that fresh-from-the-oven feeling any time you want.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I skip the cream cheese in this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe?

While cream cheese adds moisture and a subtle tang that makes these cookies extra tender, you can substitute it with an equal amount of butter. Keep in mind, the texture will be slightly different—less moist and tender but still tasty.

How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much in the oven?

Make sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours before baking. Chilling firms up the fat in the dough, helping the cookies hold their shape. Also, avoid using softened butter that’s too warm and be careful not to overmix the dough.

What’s the best way to decorate these cookies for a party?

For a party, I recommend using colored sanding sugar for quick and festive decoration, or dipping edges in melted chocolate for a more elegant look. You can also pipe simple royal icing designs if you have time and want to get creative!

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough 2-3 days ahead and keep it refrigerated, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. This makes holiday prep much easier!

Final Thoughts

Every holiday season, the Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe reminds me of cozy afternoons in the kitchen with family — laughing, chatting, and decorating cookies with sticky hands. It’s a recipe that brings warmth and tradition to any home. I hope you’ll enjoy making (and eating!) these just as much as I do. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your own holiday staple.