Christmas Sugar Cookies or Anytime

Perfectly buttery, irresistibly soft, and endlessly versatile, these Christmas Sugar Cookies—or Anytime Cookies—are a must-bake treat for any occasion. This recipe combines classic ingredients like creamy unsalted butter, fragrant vanilla, and a hint of optional almond extract for a dough that's rich and flavorful. Whether you’re cutting them into festive holiday shapes or keeping it simple for an everyday indulgence, each cookie is baked to golden perfection in just 10 minutes. The fun truly begins when it’s time to decorate—customize with royal icing, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a dazzling finish. Ideal for holiday parties, gift-giving, or a sweet snack, these easy-to-make cookies are as delightful to create as they are to eat. With a prep time of only 20 minutes and a yield of 24 cookies, this recipe offers the perfect balance of convenience and creativity!

Nutriscore Rating: 39/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar (optional, for decorating)
• 0 royal icing or store-bought icing (optional, for decorating)
• 0 sprinkles or edible glitter (optional, for decorating)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s workable.

Step 6

Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to make the dough easier to handle.

Step 7

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Keep the other disc in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Step 8

Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut out shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Avoid overbaking for softer cookies.

Step 10

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining dough discs.

Step 12

Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate with powdered sugar, royal icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter as desired.

Step 13

Enjoy your homemade sugar cookies! Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(912.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4100.6

Total Fat 200.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 702.7mg	0%
Sodium 703.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 540.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.0g	0%
Total Sugars 287.4g
Protein 42.4g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 123.9mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 476.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.6%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 52.3%