Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies are a classic holiday favorite with a tender, cake-like texture and a sweet, creamy frosting that can be decorated with colorful sprinkles. These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Their festive appearance and melt-in-your-mouth bite make them a must-bake during the holiday season.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
all-purpose flourunsalted buttergranulated sugarsour creamlarge eggvanilla extractbaking powdersaltpowdered sugarmilkfood coloringholiday sprinkles
directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream, mixing until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
Scoop the dough using a cookie scoop and place onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
Gently flatten each dough ball with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers are still soft.
Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
For the frosting, mix powdered sugar, a few tablespoons of milk, and food coloring until smooth and spreadable.
Frost each cooled cookie and decorate with holiday sprinkles.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies.Preparation time: 20 minutesBaking time: 8-10 minutesCooling and decorating time: 30 minutesTotal time: 1 hour
Variations
Add almond extract for a different flavor twist.
Use different food coloring to match any holiday or celebration.
Sprinkle colored sanding sugar instead of sprinkles for a simpler look.
Top with crushed peppermint candies for extra holiday flair.
storage/reheating
Store Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 2 months.To enjoy them soft again, let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Why are my cookies dry?
Be careful not to overbake; they should be just set in the center.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes, but homemade frosting gives the best flavor and texture.
Do these cookies hold their shape?
They puff up and stay soft but may spread slightly — chilling the dough can help.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely, this recipe scales well for large batches.
Are these cookies good for decorating with kids?
Yes, they’re perfect for letting kids add frosting and sprinkles.
What’s the best way to frost these cookies?
Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread the frosting evenly.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for best results.
Can I freeze the frosted cookies?
Yes, freeze them in a single layer first, then stack with parchment paper between layers.
Conclusion
Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies are a nostalgic holiday treat that bring festive fun and delicious sweetness to any gathering. Easy to make, decorate, and share, they’re sure to be a holiday tradition your family and friends will love year after year.
Print
Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies are fluffy, cake-like sugar cookies topped with sweet, creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles. They’re a nostalgic holiday treat perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- Food coloring (red, green, or your choice)
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and sour cream; mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
- Flatten each dough ball gently with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are just set and centers stay soft.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost cooled cookies and decorate with holiday sprinkles.
Notes
- Do not overbake; centers should stay soft and cake-like.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes if you want less spreading.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Add almond extract for a flavor twist.
- Perfect for decorating with kids during the holidays.