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Last Updated on February 10, 2026 by Tracy
Easy Christmas sugar cookies made in just 20 minutes! This classic holiday sugar cookie recipe is perfect for decorating, gifting, and baking with kids.
These easy Christmas Sugar Cookies are a must-have in our family every single holiday season. In just 20 minutes, you can have about 30 soft, delicious sugar cookies ready to enjoy and decorate. Nothing says the holidays quite like festive baking, colorful icing, and classic Christmas cookies.
Holiday Baking with Family
Holiday baking time is officially here! Do you bake a variety of Christmas cookies each year? For as long as I can remember, we’ve made dozens of cookies, packaged them up, and delivered them to friends and family throughout our neighborhood. Delivering Christmas cookies is one of our favorite ways to spread a little holiday cheer.
These Christmas sugar cookies are my kids’ absolute favorite cookies to make, mostly because they love decorating them. Or maybe it’s because they love licking the icing spoons. Either way, I love that they get involved and make memories in the kitchen during the holidays.
Why We Love These Christmas Sugar Cookies
Christmas sugar cookies are a holiday baking essential. There’s just something nostalgic about using festive cookie cutters and decorating classic shapes. Honestly, what says Christmas more than a decorated Christmas tree or stocking-shaped sugar cookie?
These cookies are:
- Soft and classic
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for decorating with kids
- Great for gifting and cookie exchanges
Ingredients for Christmas Sugar Cookies
To make these old fashioned Christmas sugar cookies, you’ll need simple pantry staples along with:
- Butter
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
Nothing fancy, just easy, reliable ingredients that come together beautifully every time.
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies
Prep Time
Prep time for these holiday sugar cookies is about 10 minutes…that is, if you’re focused. If kids are helping, throw that timer out the window and let them enjoy the process. Holiday baking is about fun, not perfection.
Baking Time
Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, depending on size and thickness. Be sure to let them cool completely before decorating, you definitely don’t want the icing to melt.
No Cookie Cutters? No Problem
If cookie cutters feel like one more thing during an already busy holiday season, you can absolutely keep these Christmas sugar cookies simple. Rolling the dough into balls and gently flattening them into classic round sugar cookies works perfectly and still gives you soft, delicious cookies every time. This option is especially great if you’re baking with kids, short on time, or just want a no-fuss holiday cookie that’s easy to ice and decorate. As you can see, round sugar cookies are just as festive with a little icing and holiday-colored drizzle… and honestly, they disappear just as fast.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies
These easy Christmas sugar cookies are very forgiving, but a few simple tips will help ensure they turn out soft, evenly baked, and perfect for decorating every time.
Don’t overmix the dough
Once the dry ingredients are added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make sugar cookies dense instead of soft and tender.
Roll the dough evenly
Keeping the dough an even thickness helps the cookies bake evenly. If some cookies are thinner than others, they may brown too quickly around the edges.
Chill the dough if needed
If your dough feels too soft or sticky, pop it in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes before rolling. This helps prevent spreading and keeps cookie shapes crisp.
Watch the bake time closely
Sugar cookies should look set but not browned. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just barely golden for soft, classic Christmas sugar cookies.
Cool completely before decorating
Let the cookies cool fully before icing. Decorating warm cookies can cause the icing to melt and slide off, which makes decorating much less fun, especially for kids.
Decorating Your Sugar Cookies
Once cooled, it’s time for the best part: decorating! Use your favorite icing and festive sprinkles to bring these cookies to life.
This recipe makes about 30 cookies, but feel free to double the batch if you’re baking for a crowd or planning to share.
This easy sugar cookie recipe is one you’ll want to make year after year. Be sure to print it and pin it so it’s ready for this holiday season…and many more to come.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Mixer
- Stove
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup salted butter room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 4½ – 5½ cups all-purpose flour
- Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F
- Prepare 2 baking sheets and set aside
- With a mixer cream together sugar and butter for 3 minutes or until fluffy
- Add eggs and mix again
- Add salt, and baking powder then blend
- Blend in ¼ cup buttermilk, vanilla and almond extract
- Add ½ cup of flour at a time until all 2 ½ cups of flour have been added
- Add remaining ¼ cup buttermilk and mix
- Then add the remaining 2 cups of flour. The batter should be smooth, elastic-like and slightly sticky. If too sticky, add more flour a little at a time (up to 1 cup – be careful to not put TOO much flour in the dough)
- When ready to roll out, sprinkle the surface with powdered sugar
- Using a rolling pin, roll dough to ¼ in thickness
- Using cookie cutters, cut out your favorite shapes and transfer to prepared cookie sheet
- Bake 10-12 minutes until the edges just start to get a hint of golden brown, making sure to not overcook
- Allow cookies to cool completely then frost as desired
- Enjoy and be sure to share with others!
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you and your family enjoy these Christmas Sugar Cookies as much as we do!
You can use store bought icing to decorate your sugar cookies or make your own. Making your own icing is incredible simply, you just need powdered sugar and milk. Yep, that’s it.
To make your own Sugar Cookie Icing:
Mix 1 cup of powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons of milk. Adjust milk as needed. Add food coloring if desired.
Told you it was easy!
How to Store and Freeze Christmas Sugar Cookies
These old fashioned Christmas sugar cookies are great for making ahead, storing, and even freezing—perfect for busy holiday schedules.
Storing baked sugar cookies
Once baked and completely cooled, store undecorated or decorated sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to keep decorations intact.
Freezing baked sugar cookies
Baked sugar cookies freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze cookies without icing and decorate after thawing.
Freezing sugar cookie dough
You can also freeze the dough ahead of time. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then roll, cut, and bake as directed.
Make-ahead holiday baking tip
Freezing dough or baked cookies is a great way to spread out holiday baking and reduce stress during the busiest time of year.
What is one of your favorite holiday cookie recipes?
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