Baking Christmas sugar cookies is one of the sweetest parts of our holiday season. In our family here in Tennessee, we gather around the table, laugh a lot, and turn simple dough into fun Christmas cookies covered in icing and sprinkles. This holiday baking tradition lets everyone join in, from little helpers to seasoned bakers. So grab your favorite cookie cutters and follow along with our tried-and-true Christmas sugar cookies recipe, plus simple holiday baking tips to help you make your own festive creations this Christmas.
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Why Sugar Cookies Are a Must-Bake During the Holiday Season
During the holiday season, sugar cookies always seem to steal the spotlight. First of all, they’re just downright delicious—soft centers, lightly crisp edges, and that sweet vanilla flavor everyone loves. And honestly, the real “danger zone” is once they’re topped with icing and candy. That’s when it gets hard not to taste-test a few… or more.
Secondly, they make wonderful gifts. A small box of decorated Christmas sugar cookies feels personal and thoughtful, especially when you’ve taken the time to bake them yourself. Whether you’re sharing them with neighbors, teachers, or friends, they’re a simple way to spread a little holiday cheer.
Our Ultimate Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
This is our foolproof Christmas sugar cookie recipe, and we’ve been using it for years. The dough is easy to roll, the cookies bake up soft with lightly crisp edges, and they hold their shape so well for decorating. It’s a reliable holiday baking recipe you can pull out every Christmas and know it’s going to turn out delicious.
Ultimate Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 375°
- Cream sugar and Butter Flavor Crisco in a mixing bowl on medium speed until smooth.
- Add eggs, light corn syrup, and vanilla. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture on low speed, mixing until combined.
- Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Place chilled dough on a lightly floured surface, roll to about 1/4 inch thick, cut out shapes, and place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 375°F for 6–10 minutes, until edges are just barely golden. Cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
- Cream the softened butter and Crisco until smooth.
- Add the vanilla and mix well.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar a little at a time, mixing as you go.
- Add milk a little at a time until you reach your desired icing consistency.
- Divide into bowls and tint with food coloring, keeping some white if desired.
Notes
-
- Chill the dough so the cookies hold their shape and are easier to roll.
- Aim for about 1/4-inch thickness for soft, tender cookies.
- Let cookies cool completely before icing.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!🎄 Trekkn Baking Tips: Sprinkle On Some Fun
When it comes to decorating Christmas sugar cookies, simple ideas can still look super fun and festive. Mix colors, try different textures, and let everyone create their own holiday cookie masterpiece.
- Snowflake cookies with white icing and sanding sugar
- Candy cane stripes using red and white icing
- Christmas light designs with mini candies as “bulbs”
- Tree cookies with green icing and colorful sprinkles
- Star cookies topped with a little edible glitter ✨
🎁 Gifting Ideas for Christmas Sugar Cookies
These Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for gifting—pack them up in cute holiday packaging and trust me, everyone will be asking for the recipe next year.
- Pack cookies in colorful holiday tins lined with parchment paper.
- Use clear treat bags tied with ribbon for easy neighbor or teacher gifts.
- Fill holiday-themed Ziploc-style bags for simple treats.
- Slip cookies into white gift bags with tissue paper for a cute grab-and-go gift.
- Create small cookie boxes to add to Christmas gift baskets or hostess gifts.
Wrap them up, share them around, and let these Christmas sugar cookies spread a little extra holiday cheer. 🎄🍪
Explore 🎄 Tennessee Bakeries
No matter where you live, checking out a local bakery is a fun way to grab holiday treats or spark ideas for your own Christmas baking. And if you’re here in Tennessee, here are a few favorites:
- Nashville – Baked on 8th: Cakes, cookies, pies, and fun seasonal desserts.
- Knoxville – Magpies Bakery: All-butter cakes, pies, and cookies that feel extra cozy for Christmas.
- Chattanooga – Federal Bake Shop: Classic cakes, pastries, and their well-loved thumbprint cookies.
Happy Baking, Trekkn Friends!
With this ultimate Christmas sugar cookies recipe, you’ve got everything you need for a fun holiday baking day—rolling out dough, decorating with icing and sprinkles, and making sweet memories along the way. Whether you’re carrying on a favorite family tradition or starting a new one, these Christmas sugar cookies are such a simple way to slow down and enjoy the season together.
Now I’d love to know: what’s your favorite cookie combo? Mine is white icing with cinnamon red hot candies on top. 😋 Comment below and tell me yours! And if you bake this recipe, be sure to tag us at @TennesseeTrekkn or use #TennesseeTrekkn so we can see your festive cookie creations.
Disclosure: This post contains links from our trusted partners, including Amazon. If you book or purchase through these we earn small commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!