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 a batch of soft, buttery cookies sprinkled with festive red and green sugar. This Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe has been my go-to for years whenever I want that perfect balance of sweet, tender, and sparkly to share with family and friends.

A white plate full of light golden round cookies, each with a crisscross pattern pressed on top. The cookies are decorated with red and green sugar sprinkles scattered mainly in the center and lightly around the edges. The cookies are stacked in a slightly uneven pile on a white marbled surface, with some sugar sprinkles falling on the plate around them. In the background, faint blurred festive decorations add a soft holiday feel. 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 countless sugar cookie recipes over the years, but this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe stands out for its texture and flavor. It’s not just another sweet treat—it’s the kind of cookie that melts in your mouth, with just the right hint of vanilla and almond extracts to evoke cozy holiday memories.

Perfect texture: These cookies are soft and tender, never too crunchy or dry.
Easy to make: The dough comes together smoothly and doesn’t require fancy tools.
Customizable decorating: Simple to dress up with your favorite holiday sugars or sprinkles.
Great for sharing: Makes around 36 cookies, ideal for gifting or dessert tables.

A white plate holds a stack of soft round cookies with fork marks pressed in a crisscross pattern on top. The cookies are light golden in color, with some sprinkled with red sugar crystals and others with green sugar crystals on the top surface. The stack is thick, roughly four cookies high, and the cookies have a slightly rough, crumbly texture. Around the plate’s edge and on the white marbled surface beneath, there are scattered red and green sugar crystals. In the blurry background, more cookies can be seen out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in this recipe is all about the balance. From the cream cheese that adds richness to the cornstarch making the cookies tender, every ingredient plays a starring role. Plus, knowing why each is here helps you swap or add flavors confidently.

Flat lay of a stick of salted butter with a smooth surface, a small white ceramic bowl filled with soft cream cheese, a shallow white ceramic bowl heaped with granulated sugar, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, another small white bowl with pale almond extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with finely sifted all-purpose flour, a white bowl holding white cornstarch powder, a small white bowl with fine baking soda powder, a tiny white bowl with fine salt crystals, two small white bowls—one filled with bright red sanding sugar and the other with vivid green sanding sugar— all arranged symmetrically 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: Softened butter ensures the dough stays moist and flavorful — plus the salt amps up the sweetness.
Cream cheese: Adds a subtle tang and ultra-soft texture, making these cookies extra tender.
Sugar: Gives just the right sweetness and helps with a light crumb.
Eggs: Bind everything together while providing moisture.
Vanilla extract: Classic warming flavor that complements the butter and cream cheese.
Almond extract: A little goes a long way; it adds a delicate nutty note perfect for Christmas vibes.
All-purpose flour: The structure builder; use fresh for best results.
Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies soft by tenderizing the flour’s gluten.
Baking soda: Lightens the dough just enough for a puff without spreading.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
Red & green sanding sugar: For the festive sparkle that turns simple cookies into holiday showstoppers.

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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

One of the things I love most about this Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you swap in different flavors or play with decorating styles, you make these your own.

Variation: I once added a teaspoon of peppermint extract instead of almond for a minty twist that was a big hit at our family party.
Diet options: You can swap salted butter with unsalted and add a pinch more salt, or use gluten-free flour blends if needed.
Seasonal changes: Decorating with other colored sugars or edible glitter gives these cookies a fresh vibe for different holidays.
Difficulty levels: For an easy kid-friendly version, skip the sanding sugar and just shape fun cookie cutters instead.

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

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

I start by softening both butter and cream cheese until they're really pliable—this helps them combine smoothly and avoid lumps. Then I beat them together with sugar and the eggs for a good 4 to 5 minutes using a hand mixer. You’ll notice the mixture go light and creamy—that's our signal to move on.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients and Form the Dough

Next, I scrape down the bowl sides to make sure everything integrates evenly. Adding the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt while mixing on low speed keeps the dough soft and pliable. You want a dough that just comes together without being sticky or crumbly.

Step 3: Chill the Dough for Best Results

Cover your dough and refrigerate it for at least two hours. I know it’s hard to wait, but chilling firms the dough, stops spreading, and makes cutting or rolling much easier. Plus, the flavors really develop here.

Step 4: Shape, Decorate, and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop or spoons, place dough balls at least an inch apart to give room to spread. Press each gently with a fork in a crisscross pattern, then sprinkle with your red or green sanding sugar for that festive sparkle. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes — look for soft edges and don’t let them brown.

Step 5: Cooling is Key

Let your cookies cool on the tray for about 5 minutes; this helps them set so they don’t break when you transfer them. Then, move them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely.

Top Tip

Having baked these cookies so many times, I’ve learned that patience and precise timing make all the difference. These tips helped me perfect the recipe and I hope they do the same for you!

Softening Ingredients: Make sure butter and cream cheese are fully softened — I leave them at room temp for at least an hour. This prevents lumps and helps the texture.
Underbake Slightly: Pull cookies when edges look just set, not brown. They’ll firm up as they cool and stay tender inside.
Even Sizing: Using a cookie scoop keeps your cookies uniform in size and baking time.
Cookie Sheet Prep: Always line pans with parchment or silicone mats to avoid sticking, which can ruin the delicate cookies.

How to Serve Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it classic with red and green sanding sugar because it provides that sparkling festive look and a little extra crunch. Sometimes I add a drizzle of white chocolate or royal icing for extra flair, especially if I’m gifting cookies.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly with mugs of hot cocoa or spiced cider. I like to serve them alongside gingerbread or peppermint bark for a holiday cookie platter that's a real crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged cookies in a wreath shape on a festive platter, alternating green and red sugar-dusted cookies. Another time, I wrapped individual cookies in cellophane tied with ribbon for easy, pretty edible gifts. Simple presentation can turn these classics into showstoppers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and soft for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread in the container helps keep them moist—a trick I’ve used for years.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I pop the baked cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment layers and freeze for up to 3 months. When I’m ready, I thaw them on the counter for a couple of hours.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, microwaving a cookie for 5 to 10 seconds works wonders. It brings back softness and the rich buttery flavor like they just came out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Absolutely! If you use unsalted butter, add about ¼ teaspoon extra salt to the dough to balance the flavors.

Why do these sugar cookies need to be chilled?

Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking. It also helps the flavors meld beautifully.

Can I decorate these cookies with royal icing?

Yes, royal icing works wonderfully here. Just be sure to let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent melting or sliding.

How do I keep the cookies soft and tender?

The cornstarch in this recipe helps keep the cookies tender, and underbaking them ensures they stay soft. Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is truly a holiday staple in my kitchen. It’s simple enough to bring joy without stress, and every batch feels like a cozy celebration waiting to happen. I’m confident you’ll love making (and eating) these as much as I do. So grab your mixing bowl, get festive with some colored sugars, and enjoy the sweet tradition!