Christmas Sugar Cookies

The holidays are here and time must be spent with family and friends. The days feel short lately, with so little sun and such busy evenings. I want to thoroughly enjoy every moment with loved ones—to relax and laugh, drink wine, and spend time in front of the fire—before heading back home to everyday life. For this reason, my words will be few.

It doesn't feel like Christmas until a batch of sugar cookies comes out of the oven, smelling of butter and tasting of joy. Last weekend I baked and decorated a large batch, wrapping them up in small boxes and gifting them out to those I hold dear. If there were ever a holiday for this simple, but beloved cookie, this is it.

Over the years, I've tinkered and played with this sugar cookie recipe until I've landed on this particular version. It is everything I look for in a sugar cookie—consistent, soft, and bakes up with a smooth and even surface for decorating. A heavy hand with the vanilla, a pinch of salt, and just the right amount of sugar to be pleasing, but not overpowering. There is nothing more I could wish for in a sugar cookie and I imagine you will feel the same.

One Year Ago: Almond Cardamom Rolls, Red Wine Chocolate Truffles, and Gingerbread Cookies
Two Years Ago: Banana Cocoa Smoothie, Pumpkin Panna Cotta, and Honey Cookies
Three Years Ago: Pear Chips, Candy Striped Meringues, and Chocolate Truffles

Sugar Cookies

Yields 2-3 dozen, depending on size of the cookie

3/4 cup (170 grams) butter
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour to firm up the dough.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick baking mat for best cookie removal.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out the cookies using cookie cutters (follow these tips for the best cookies). The dough that is not being handled should be kept refrigerated. Bake cookies for 6-8 minutes, depending on the size of the cookie. Cool completely on a cooling rack before frosting.

Comments

[Monique]

Beautiful beautiful post.
Warm Wishes~

[Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar]

So pretty. A perfect sugar cookie recipe is killer for the holidays! Love this!

[Jennifer]

These are so perfectly pretty!

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

[Stephanie @ Velez Delights]

Happy Holidays / Merry Christmas! These cookies are gorgeous and look too pretty to eat! Great post :)

[Maureen]

I have a cookie recipe I like but I'm always looking for 'the one' and this might be it. I love how these look - they're beautiful.

[Meghan]

Although the dusting of confectioner's sugar mirrors the blanket of white , and despite their snowflake shape, these cookies take all of the cold out of the snowy scene outside. Your photography and words are soulful and warming. However you choose to spend your holiday- baking, celebrating, drinking hot cocoa, opening gifts, feasting, gathering- I do hope it's absolutely lovely.

[Sara]

I'm planning on making my Christmas cookies tomorrow and I've been on the hunt for the perfect sugar cookie recipe. Could this be it? :)

[Silver's Reviews]

What beautiful cookies. They are so perfect.

THANKS for sharing the photos and for the recipe.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews

[Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate]

All of the icing sugar looks like snow, I love it!

[francesca]

love a lot.

[Diane Goudreau]

Thank you for giving us the receipe. I will try it this afernoon and further I will give you my coments. Since now many thanks and mery Christmas from Québec city

[Diane]

The cookies are simply beautiful. I have professionally baked for years but these are awesome. How were the snowflakes made? With a cookie cutter?

[Magda]

I love your cookies, they're so pretty, and you decorated them beautifully. Yes, Christmas isn't Christmas without cookies.
Thanks for sharing yours!
Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family.

[Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen]

These look so perfect and festive for the holidays! I love them! Have a Merry Christmas!

[milja]

How to make frosting for cookies thanks

[Kristin Rosenau]

milja-- The recipe for the royal icing can be found here: http://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/2011/5/20/baby-sugar-cookies.html

[Lana]

My family loves this recipe! Thanks for sharing.

[honeywhatscooking]

Your pictures are just stunning! I love your work. hope you had a great Christmas. I baked a Coconut Cake this year. :-)

[Dina]

they look so lovely!

[irmina]

Bonitas y ricas galletas.

[vanillasugarblog]

I love when bloggers do this as we get to remember what it was we wanted to make months ago!
So for me it's the chocolate chunk-ginger cookies.
Just printed it out.
Happy New Year to you!!

[Queen Sashy]

It's a bummer when you discover a perfect holiday recipe (like this one) once the holiday is so over. Well, it will have to wait for another 300+ days, but it will be so worth it... Have a happy one!

[Kathryn]

I made these with Jeanne's Gluten Free flour mix for my little celiac guy and WOW!!! They are THE one. Best sugar cookie I have ever tasted. Even when compared to our family's gluten eating days!!! Crisp on outside soft on the inside and perfectly but not overly sweet. Thank you so much for sharing. We topped them with a simple glaze of 1 cup icing sugar to 4 tsp milk et voila- toddler approved!