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Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies

September 25, 2024

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close up overhead shot of grandma's christmas sugar cookies piled on top of each other on a white plate
Grandma's Christmas sugar cookies are a soft, buttery treat that will be a new holiday favorite.
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Table of Contents
  1. Sugar Christmas Cookie Recipe Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions. 
  3. How To Make Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
  4. Christmas Sugar Cookies Finishings
  5. How To Serve The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies
  6. How To Store These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies
  7. Why We Love This Recipe
  8. Sugar Cookie Christmas FAQs
  9. More Christmas Cookies
  10. JUMP TO RECIPE
  11. Even More Easy Recipes


These easy Christmas sugar cookies are the perfect balance of buttery richness and light sweetness, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. While simple in appearance, the depth of flavor from adding cream cheese makes them far from ordinary. This is a recipe ideal for holiday gifting, cookie exchanges, family decorating sessions, or simply enjoying with loved ones during the festive season.

close up overhead shot of grandma's christmas sugar cookies piled on top of each other on a white plate

What to Know About This Recipe

  • Main Ingredients: Butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, almond extract, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, sanding sugars.
  • Quick Steps: Mix wet ingredients, add dry, chill, roll dough into balls, press with a fork, sprinkle sugar, bake.
  • Total Time & Yield: 2 hours 20 minutes, makes 36 cookies.
  • Why This Recipe: This sugar cookie recipe is elevated by the addition of cream cheese, which enhances the richness and depth of flavor. It also makes the cookies incredibly soft and ensures they stay moist. However, this isn’t just about taste and texture—it’s a game changer in how long your cookies stay fresh, making this Christmas cookie recipe ideal for holiday baking and gifting.
  • Pro Tip: The dough’s ability to handle freezing and chilling without sacrificing quality makes it perfect for batch baking.
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grandma's christmas sugar cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

Grandma’s sugar cookies are a fun treat with a rich, creamy texture made from simple pantry staples.

They are finished with a festive touch of red and green sanding sugars, making them a perfect, nostalgic treat for any occasion, especially during the holidays.

You’ll need: 

  • ½ cup of salted butter, softened 
  • 2 ounces of cream cheese, softened 
  • 1½ cups of granulated sugar 
  • 2 large eggs 
  • 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract 
  • ¼ teaspoon of almond extract 
  • 2½ cups of all-purpose flour 
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch 
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda 
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt 
  • Red and green sanding sugars 

Substitutions And Additions. 

ALMOND EXTRACT: Some people dislike the flavor of almond extract. If that is you, then feel free to leave this ingredient out of the cookies.

This extract is very strong, so only a small amount is used in the sugar cookie recipe, giving it a delicious and subtle hint of almond flavor. 

FROSTING: Although these easy Christmas sugar cookies are perfectly sweet themselves, you can frost them if you wish. 6

How To Make Grandma’s Sugar Cookies

STEP ONE: In a large bowl, add the butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.

Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients together until light and fluffy, about four to five minutes.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with any lumps in your soft cookies.

butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract blended together in a bowl

STEP TWO: Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.

Turn the hand mixer to low speed and combine the ingredients just until a soft dough forms. 

flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt folded together in a bowl

STEP THREE: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for two hours.

PRO TIP:

This is a fantastic cookie dough to make ahead! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours after you make it and then baked when you are ready.

Or form the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, place it in a zip-top freezer bag, and freeze for up to three months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then form the dough balls and bake as directed. 

STEP FOUR: Once the dough has been chilled for two hours, remove it from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350°F.

STEP FIVE: Use a 1-inch cookie scoop to portion the dough, and use your hands to roll the dough into 1-inch balls.

Place the dough balls on the parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, at least one inch apart.

cookie dough rolled into balls and placed on a sheet

STEP SIX: Using a fork, make a crisscross pattern pressing down lightly into the cookie dough. 

criss cross made on top of each cookie with a fork

STEP SEVEN: Sprinkle the top of each cookie with green or red sugar. 

sanding sugar sprinkled on top of each cookie

STEP EIGHT: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes. Be sure not to overcook these cookies.

They should not brown on the edges at all. You want them to be soft, and they should look a bit undercooked when you pull them out of the oven.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

cookies baked on a baking dish

STEP NINE: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before removing them to a wire rack to continue cooling. 

Christmas Sugar Cookies Finishings

These sugar cookies are slightly too soft to cut with cookie cutters. We do have a great no-spread sugar cookie recipe that would be great to cut into shapes.

If you prefer to decorate the cookies, check out our sugar cookie icing recipe.

How To Serve The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies

These soft sugar cookies are perfect for holiday snacking, a Christmas party, a Christmas cookie exchange, or giving as gifts.

Serve them alongside our Christmas punch.

Or leave a few out for Santa! Don’t forget our Grinch cookies and snowball cookies for even more delicious treats.

MORE CHRISTMAS DESSERT RECIPES

Speaking of simple homemade recipes for the holidays, these M&M pretzel hugs are really easy, tasty, and absolutely adorable.

We’re also big fans of this Christmas Chex mix for a holiday movie night snack. 

How To Store These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies

Here are some handy tips on how to store your homemade treats:

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your holiday baking, you can make the cookie dough ahead of time, you simply:

  1. Prepare the dough as instructed in the recipe
  2. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to five days
  3. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes
  4. Scooping and baking your cookies as directed in our recipe

IN THE FRIDGE: Keep the Christmas sugar cookies in an airtight container with a lid or in a zip-top bag. Refrigerate for up to five days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze these classic sugar cookies in zip-top freezer bags for up to three months, then simply thaw before serving.

Why We Love This Recipe

HOMEMADE NOSTALGIA: These cookies capture the essence of homemade baking, evoking warm and nostalgic feelings of grandma’s kitchen.

CREAMY TEXTURE: The combination of softened butter and cream cheese creates a luscious, creamy texture that makes each bite irresistibly decadent and satisfying.

FESTIVE APPEAL: With the addition of red and green sanding sugars, these cookies are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them the perfect treat for special occasions.

close up shot of grandma's christmas sugar cookies piled on top of each other

If you’ve been looking for the best sugar cookie recipe around, look no further! These soft, buttery cookies will be a new favorite holiday treat.

From scratch, easy Christmas sugar cookies are so easy to make that you’ll be enjoying them with a mug of hot chocolate before you know it! 

Does the dough have to be chilled, or can I bake the cookies immediately after mixing?

This simple recipe needs to be chilled for at least a couple of hours to ensure the cookies bake up nice and soft and don’t spread too much on your cookie sheet.

How do you make sugar cookies keep their shape?

Giving your cookie dough time to chill in the refrigerator will help the cookies to keep their shape. Starting to bake your cookies when the dough is at a lower temperature will prevent them from spreading.

Can I use cookie cutters for these sugar cookies?

These cookies are slightly too soft to cut out shapes.

How far in advance can I make Christmas cookies?

These cookies can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for three months.

What makes a cookie moist and chewy?

Adding both eggs and cream cheese to cookie dough will give you moist and chewy cookies.

More Christmas Cookies

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close up overhead shot of grandma's christmas sugar cookies piled on top of each other on a white plate

Best Christmas Sugar Cookies

5 from 40 votes
Grandma's Christmas sugar cookies are a soft, buttery treat that will be a new holiday favorite.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 36 cookies
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Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • red and green sanding sugars

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, add butter, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Using a hand mixer, beat until light and fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes.  
  • Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Turn the hand mixer to low speed and combine the ingredients until a soft dough forms.  
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.  
  • Once the dough has been chilled for 2 hours, remove it from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.  
  • Use a 1-inch cookie scoop to portion the dough and use your hands to roll into 1-inch dough balls. Place the balls on the parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, at least 1 inch apart.
  • Using a fork make a criss cross pattern pressing down lightly into the cookie dough. 
  • Sprinkle sugar with green or red sugar. 
  • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Make sure not to overcook these cookies. They should not brown on the edges at all. You want them to be soft, and they should look a bit undercooked when you pull them out of the oven.  
  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to continue cooling. 

Video

Notes

  • Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with any lumps in your soft cookies.
  • This is a fantastic cookie dough to make ahead! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours after you make it, then baked when you are ready. Or form the dough into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then form the dough balls and bake as directed.
  • Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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    Comments

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Judy – here are the storage instructions:

      IN THE FRIDGE: Keep the Christmas sugar cookies in an airtight food storage container with a lid or in a zip-top bag. Refrigerate for up to five days.

      IN THE FREEZER: Freeze the cookies in zip-top freezer bags for up to three months, then simply thaw before serving.

      Reply

  9. Celina Parins says

    5 stars
    They were the best sugar cookies I have ever tasted and you’re right, the easiest. Thank you very much for the recipe. I have already shared this recipe with 3 friends. My daughter was the one that told me about it. Celina Parins

    Reply

  14. Robin says

    You could dip them in frosting or add a Hersey kiss to them make it a family affair have a decorating contest with the family

    Reply

  17. Tina says

    5 stars
    These sound delicious! Sugar cookies are a Christmas tradition in my family, and we usually only decorate them with sprinkles, but I think these may be perfect for a little buttercream icing too.

    Reply

  20. Konnie says

    5 stars
    I’m sure these are great if you like the soft kind of sugar cookies. And it seems like an easy recipe to try with my grandkids… though I prefer the old fashion crisp type of sugar cookie my grandmother used to make for me 😉 Thank you

    Reply

  23. Ann says

    5 stars
    I am going to try laying these out in the Christmas tree shape. Headed to the store for silver sanding sugar for the “star” on top.

    Reply

  27. Kim says

    5 stars
    I’ve been looking for a recipe like this! I love the sprinkles but think it would be fun to put icing on top as well! Looking forward to making these.

    Reply

  28. Patty Dalrymple says

    5 stars
    What a fun recipe to try with the grandchildren! Messy, fun and nummy. Whip up some frosting in red and green and do half sugar topped and half frosted.

    Reply

  29. Evelyn Buset says

    5 stars
    I would definitely decorate these cookies and totally make with my grandbabies. They would so enjoy creating, decorating and am sure eating these. (Just to make sure they are good for the rest of us)

    Reply

  31. Debbie says

    I would add frostings to these, probably red, green, and white. Need to get out the Christmas tree and gingerbread cutters! Don’t have kids though 🙁 Dogs would be happy to help me lol. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing great recipes with us!!

    Reply

  33. Joy Smith says

    5 stars
    Would love to make these. The recipe is simple ingredients used. I love decorating cookies in all the colors of the season. Frosted and decorated. I have a collection of vintage cookie cutters in assorted shapes and sizes. A lot of them that can’t be found anymore so it’s always fun to pull them out during the holidays. I love frosting the cookie in stained glass effects reds, greens, yellow and golds. Great recipe give it a try.

    Reply

  34. Stephanie Schiltz says

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. I’m planning to make these using colored sugars, no icing because with creamed cheese in the dough these should be rich enough w/o icing.

    Reply

  37. Beverly Lloyd says

    5 stars
    I first thought to cut out these cookies and frost and decorate them til I read they were too soft so I think the red and green sanding sugars would be ideal.

    Reply

  39. Mica says

    5 stars
    I would use Christmas Cutters and decorate with a combination of cookie icing and sprinkles or candies depending on the shape. I would definitely let the grandchildren assist.

    Reply

  40. Lisa Fuqua says

    5 stars
    This recipe is so delicious I use it every Christmas. I’ve even made round balls and coated with holiday sprinkles.I have also would use frosting red and green then decorate

    Reply

  42. Debra says

    5 stars
    As a retired special education teacher, I would definitely include children in the cookie making process. It’s such a delight to see them so involved in the smaller pleasures of life.

    Reply

  43. Maureen says

    5 stars
    Everyone loves sugar cookies and they are especially popular at Christmas time. These look easy to make and definitely with grandchildren. I would have to decorate them with red and green frosting. They would be a nice addtion to a Christmas cookie table.

    Reply

  44. Maureen says

    5 stars
    These look so easy and great recipe to make with grandchildren. They would go crazy with red and green sugar. Maybe half sugar and half iced with red and green frosting. I havent made sugar cookies with cream cheese so these woud be an added treat for a cookie table. The grandchildren can brag about their accomplishments.

    Reply

  45. Trisha cypher says

    5 stars
    I made cut out cookies with this recipe. We used colored frosting, sprinkles, red hots, confetti, and decorated these delicious cookies …. we had a few and put the rest in the freezer, for Christmas. 🎄❤

    Reply

  46. Mary says

    I’m going to make them with my grandkids. They will want to go with the sanding sugar. The recipe looks easy. Can’t wait.

    Reply

  47. Sommer says

    5 stars
    These cookies look so easy to make and I can’t wait to try that cream cheese twist. I would also try different shapes like wreaths, stockings, candy canes for my children. Will probably try some with a drizzle of frosting for them. We shall be trying them all the way over here in Trinidad and Tobago to add them to our ginger bread house project:)

    Reply

  48. Claudia Stokes Stoltz says

    5 stars
    So easy. My family love sugar cookies. I’m. Planning on baking with 2 grandchildren. They will love to roll the balls, criss crossing and sprinkling with the different colors.

    Reply

  51. Cynthia says

    The colors I am using this season are shades of blues!! First time using blues, just seems the perfect color for Christmas this year…

    Reply
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