Description
Soft Christmas Cookies are the perfect holiday treat to bake together with family and friends. These cookies are delightfully soft, subtly flavored with vanilla and almond extracts, and optionally sprinkled with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. Easy to prepare and bake, they bring warmth and joy to any holiday celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Optional
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking your cookies evenly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking them together to distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add egg and extracts: Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until smooth and uniform.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in sprinkles: If desired, gently fold in the sprinkles to add festive color and texture to your cookie dough.
- Shape the cookies: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked yet soft inside.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set up and maintain their soft texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- For extra almond flavor, you can add a little more almond extract, but be careful as it can become overpowering.
- Sprinkles are optional but add a fun festive look; use vegan or gluten-free sprinkles if needed.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain softness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: soft Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, baked Christmas treats, festive cookies, easy holiday baking
