Name: Vanilla Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 225 g unsalted butter, softened (or use salted, skip salt); 1 cup caster/superfine sugar (granulated/ordinary white sugar ok too); 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 large egg (55-60 g / 1.9-2 oz); 3 cups plain/all purpose flour; 3/4 tsp baking powder; 3/4 tsp salt; Icing for Sugar Cookies (optional); Melted chocolate (optional); Icing sugar (optional); Silver balls for decoration (optional)

Nothing beats the simple joy of baking a classic batch of sugar cookies with a delicate vanilla twist. This Vanilla Christmas Cookies Recipe delivers buttery, tender biscuits that brighten any occasion, whether it’s the holidays or just a sweet craving afternoon.

The image shows a collection of Christmas-themed cookies on a white marbled texture. The cookies are decorated with smooth icing in shapes like stars, Christmas trees, candy canes, and snowflakes. One cookie is shaped like a snowflake and has a white icing base with green icing details creating a snowflake pattern on top. Another cookie shaped like a Christmas tree is covered in green icing with white icing lines forming garlands and small red and silver round candies as decorations. Candy cane cookies have a white icing base with red stripes evenly spaced across. Star-shaped cookies include one with red icing topped with white icing lines and small white sugar crystals. The icing layers are smooth and slightly glossy, sitting on a golden-brown cookie base. 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 Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Vanilla Christmas Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve baked many sugar cookie recipes, but this one stands out because it’s fuss-free yet incredibly flavorful. The vanilla aroma fills your kitchen, and the cookies always turn out perfect—whether you’re decorating or just enjoying them plain with a cup of tea.

Simple to Make: You’ll appreciate how few ingredients do all the heavy lifting in flavor and texture.
Customizable Thickness: Roll them thin for a crisp bite or thicker for that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture you crave.
Flexible Decorating: Whether you like to get fancy with icing or keep it classic, these cookies handle all styles beautifully.
Reliable Results: I’ve made these dozens of times—each batch comes out consistently delicious.

The image shows a baking tray full of Christmas-themed sugar cookies with detailed icing. There are three different shapes: snowflakes, candy canes, and stars. The snowflakes are iced with a white base and decorated with thin red or green lines and dots to create a delicate pattern. The candy cane cookies have a white base with red stripes running diagonally along the shape. The star cookies have a green or red base with white icing applied in a zigzag pattern on top. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This cookie dough is all about balance—just the right amount of sugar to sweeten without overpowering, and butter that brings tenderness and rich flavor. Keeping the vanilla front and center is key, as it’s what really elevates this sugar cookie beyond the ordinary.

Flat lay of a small mound of softened pale yellow unsalted butter, a neat pile of fine white caster sugar, a single large brown egg with a clean uncracked shell, a modest heap of smooth white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of clear golden vanilla extract, a pinch of fine white salt in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl holding white baking powder, all arranged symmetrically in perfect proportions on a clean white ceramic plate, 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

Unsalted Butter: Softened for easy creaming; using unsalted lets you control salt levels perfectly.
Caster (Superfine) Sugar: Dissolves faster than granulated sugar, creating that smooth, tender crumb.
Vanilla Extract: The star flavor, so don’t skimp here—pure vanilla extract makes all the difference.
Egg: Acts as a binder, adds richness, and helps with the cookie’s structure.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundation; make sure to measure accurately and sift for a light dough.
Baking Powder: Just a touch to give the cookies the perfect lift without puffing up too much.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the dough.

📝

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 reasons I keep coming back to this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easily it bends to my mood. Sometimes I go classic with just a sprinkle of sugar on top; other times, I dive into decorating with colorful icing or dip them in melted chocolate. You can make these cookies truly yours.

Variation: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds a warm, seasonal twist I love during winter holidays.
Dietary Options: Substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative and egg with a flaxseed mix for vegan cookies—I've tried this and the results are surprisingly good.
Thickness Preference: I usually roll mine to about ¼ inch for soft centers, but thinner cookies bake up crispier if that’s more your style.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream That Butter and Sugar

Start by beating the softened butter with the sugar until it’s creamy and pale—about a minute on medium speed. This step is crucial because it incorporates air that helps give your cookies their tender texture. Don't rush it; take that time to get a fluffy base.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, crack in your egg and pour the vanilla extract, beating again until everything is seamlessly combined. At this point, your batter should be smooth and lightly thickened. I usually pause to scrape the bowl sides—nothing should be left out!

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt separately before adding them to the wet mixture. This gives even distribution and prevents clumps. Start mixing on low speed to avoid flour flying everywhere, then beat just until incorporated. The dough will be a bit lumpy—that’s perfect.

Step 4: Roll and Cut Out Your Cookies

Dust your workspace with a little flour and stub out the dough onto it. Divide it in two discs, then roll each out between ⅛ to ¼ inch thickness depending on your texture preference. Flour your rolling pin and top of the dough lightly to keep things smooth. Use your favorite cookie cutters and gently transfer shapes to lined baking trays. Any leftover dough? Pop it in the fridge to chill while you bake.

Step 5: Bake Like a Pro

Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes, swapping positions of your trays halfway through. This little trick ensures your cookies cook evenly, especially if your oven has hot spots. Look for pale golden edges with the surface just turning slightly golden—that’s your cue to pull them out!

Step 6: Cool and Decide Your Finish

Let the cookies cool right on the trays; they firm up a bit as they rest. From here, you can get creative with icing, chocolate dips, or my favorite—a light dusting of icing sugar. Or, just dig in plain and enjoy the buttery vanilla goodness straight up.

Top Tip

After baking these sugar cookies multiple times, I’ve learned a few subtle tricks that make all the difference between good and great. I’m sharing them so you can impress as much as I hope to with every batch.

Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is soft but not melting. Too cold and it won’t cream properly; too soft and the dough gets greasy and hard to handle.
Switching Trays: Halfway through baking, swap the positions of your trays to avoid uneven cooking caused by uneven oven heat.
Rolling Thickness: I use a ruler to check my dough thickness when rolling, so I get consistent cookies every time.
Don’t Overbake: Going just until edges barely brown means your cookies stay tender, not hard or crunchy.

How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

vanilla sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For me, a simple dusting of icing sugar lets the vanilla shine brightest. But I often jazz them up with a drizzle of melted chocolate or a scatter of festive silver balls when guests come over. These little touches make the cookies feel special without overpowering their delicate flavor.

Side Dishes

Vanilla Sugar Cookies pair beautifully with a hot drink—think creamy chai latte, classic coffee, or soothing herbal tea. They're also a hit alongside fruit compotes or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to keep the vanilla theme going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging the cookies in festive shapes on a decorative platter with pine sprigs. You can also stack them into little cookie towers tied with twine for a charming gift or party favor. The bright vanilla flavor means you can get as simple or as fancy as you like.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay nicely fresh for up to a week. The trick is to add a slice of bread to the container—it helps maintain moisture and keeps the cookies from drying out too quickly.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, either baked or as dough discs. When freezing dough, wrap tightly in plastic and thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking. For baked cookies, layer them between parchment papers in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Reheating

If you want a warm treat, pop the cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This revives that just-baked softness and melting vanilla aroma. Avoid microwaving as it can make cookies tough or chewy quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can! If you use salted butter, just skip adding extra salt in the recipe to keep the balance of flavors perfect.

How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling your dough discs in the fridge before rolling and cutting helps keep the cookies firm and prevents excessive spreading while baking. Also, avoid using too much butter or over-soft butter.

What kind of sugar is best for vanilla sugar cookies?

Caster or superfine sugar is ideal because it dissolves easily, creating a smooth texture. If you only have granulated sugar, that works fine too, but the texture might be slightly grainier.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored airtight at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for about one week. After that, they might dry out a little but can still be enjoyed. Adding a slice of bread in the container helps extend freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe feels like a warm hug every time I make it—a perfect mix of nostalgia and easy, reliable deliciousness. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do. Trust me, once you try them, these cookies might just become your go-to recipe for every sweet occasion that calls for a buttery, vanilla-kissed treat.