There is something utterly magical about the holidays, and nothing captures that festive spirit quite like a batch of these buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats. This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is a timeless classic that combines simple ingredients to create irresistibly tender cookies with a delicate vanilla aroma. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or as part of your holiday traditions, these cookies bring warmth, sweetness, and joy with every bite. Plus, decorating them with melted chocolate and festive sprinkles transforms them into edible holiday cheer you’ll be proud to share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward yet thoughtfully selected ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor and texture, making this cookie both simple and satisfying.
- 2 ¼ cups flour: Provides the cookie’s structure and a tender crumb when handled gently.
- ½ tsp salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The star ingredient offering rich flavor and that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 2 egg yolks: Add moisture, richness, and help bind the dough together beautifully.
- ¾ cup sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping to create a delicate crispness around the edges.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Imparts a warm, aromatic vanilla flavor that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- 1-2 tbsp milk (optional): Lightens the dough if needed, ensuring perfect consistency for piping.
- Melted chocolate & sprinkles (optional): For decorating and adding colorful, festive flair to your cookies.
How to Make Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix flour and salt
Start by whisking together the flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl to distribute the salt evenly. Setting this aside will make it easy to fold into the butter mixture later without overworking your dough.
Step 2: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until the mixture turns light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is key—it traps air to give your cookies a light texture.
Step 3: Add egg yolks and vanilla extract
Next, beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The egg yolks enrich the dough, making it tender, while the vanilla adds that classic comforting aroma you expect in holiday baking.
Step 4: Stir in flour mixture
Gradually add your flour and salt mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir just until the dough comes together; overmixing can result in tough cookies, and we want perfect tenderness here!
Step 5: Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Step 6: Pipe cookies into swirls
Transfer the cookie dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip, then pipe elegant 1½-inch swirls onto the prepared baking sheet. This technique not only looks beautiful but also bakes evenly and crisps on the edges while remaining soft inside.
Step 7: Bake until golden
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely golden hue. The smell that fills your kitchen at this point is pure holiday bliss!
Step 8: Cool and decorate
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before adding any decorations. Dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with festive decorations for that extra holiday sparkle.
How to Serve Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing beats the charm of dipping these butter cookies in rich, melted chocolate and adding colorful sprinkles on top. You can also try chopped nuts, a dusting of powdered sugar, or edible glitter for a sparkling finish that dazzles at any Christmas gathering.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair incredibly well with a cozy cup of hot cocoa, spiced tea, or a glass of cold milk. Serving these alongside festive drinks helps bring out their buttery richness and keeps everyone coming back for more.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe on a holiday-themed platter, or stack them in decorative tins tied with ribbon for gift-giving. You can also use the cookies as part of a dessert buffet or turn them into a charming cookie wreath centerpiece for your festivities.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously soft and buttery for up to one week, perfect for lingering holiday celebrations.
Freezing
If you want to make these Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe in advance, you can freeze the unbaked piped dough on the baking sheet, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy cookies that taste freshly baked, warm them for a few seconds in the microwave or a quick blast in a low oven. This brings back their soft, buttery texture and revives the wonderful vanilla aroma.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe since salted butter already contains salt. This helps maintain the right balance of flavors in your cookies.
What if my dough is too dry to pipe?
Simply add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches a smooth, pipe-able consistency. Avoid adding too much liquid as it can affect the cookies’ texture.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure your mix contains xanthan gum or similar for structure.
How long do these cookies keep their freshness?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these butter cookies stay fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Is there a way to make these cookies more festive without chocolate?
Yes! Try decorating them with colored sugar, cinnamon sugar, or edible gold dust. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of jam or frosting for a beautiful twist.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe is truly one of those holiday treasures that never gets old. Simple to make with familiar ingredients, yet impressive enough to wow everyone around the cookie jar. I encourage you to give these cookies a try this season—you’ll love how buttery, delicate, and festive they turn out. Baking them is more than just making cookies; it’s creating warm memories and joy that lasts well beyond the holidays.
Print
Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Description
These Christmas Butter Cookies are classic, buttery, and tender treats perfect for the holiday season. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla, they are piped into elegant swirls and baked until golden. Optionally decorated with melted chocolate and sprinkles, these festive cookies are easy to make and sure to delight friends and family.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk (optional)
Other
- ¾ cup sugar
- Optional: melted chocolate for dipping
- Optional: sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and salt to combine evenly, then set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which typically takes 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add egg yolks and vanilla: Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the creamed butter-sugar mixture and continue to beat until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Stir in flour mixture: Gradually add the prepared flour and salt mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. If the dough feels too stiff, optionally add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking during baking.
- Pipe cookie dough: Transfer the dough into a piping bag and pipe 1½-inch swirls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a light golden color.
- Cool and decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, optionally dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle festive decorations on top for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Milk is optional and can be added if dough is too dry to pipe smoothly.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- For variations, decorate with colored sugar or nuts instead of chocolate and sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
