Easy Christmas cookies recipe with simple ingredients, soft texture, cozy flavors, and real home-baking tips. Perfect for beginners and holiday baking.
Hey…
So Christmas is around, or maybe it already feels like it in your head. Lights. Cold evenings. That random craving for something sweet at 11 pm. That’s usually when a Christmas cookie recipe pops into the search bar. Not because you want to impress anyone. But because you want something warm. Familiar. Homemade.
I’m right there with you.
I’ve baked cookies on calm mornings and also on chaotic nights when the kitchen was already a mess and I still thought, “Yeah… cookies will fix this.”
Sometimes they did. Sometimes they just tasted good enough to make things feel lighter. Either way — worth it.
This recipe? It’s not fancy. It’s not trying to win awards. It’s the kind of recipe you come back to because it feels safe. Like an old sweater.
Why Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe Always Win
Let’s be honest for a second.
During Christmas, nobody wants complicated recipes with twenty steps and words you have to Google. You want easy Christmas cookies recipe that work even if your brain is tired and your measuring isn’t perfect.
These cookies are:
Soft in the middle.
Slightly crisp on the edges.
Buttery without being heavy.
Sweet, but not the kind that hurts your teeth.
And the best part?
They don’t punish you for small mistakes. Trust me… I’ve tested that unintentionally.
A Small Story -Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
The first time I made Easy Christmas cookies recipe alone, I burned half the batch. The other half looked strange but tasted amazing. I still remember standing there, eating one straight from the tray, thinking — why do people act like baking has to be perfect?
It doesn’t.
Cookies are forgiving. Especially these.
Equipment – Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
You don’t need a perfect kitchen for this. Mine never is.
Just grab:
A big bowl
Another bowl (smaller)
A spoon or spatula
A whisk or fork
Measuring cups
Baking tray
Parchment paper (or butter, if you forgot paper like I often do)
An oven
That’s enough. No mixer. No stress.
Ingredients for Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
This is where the comfort starts.
You’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (soft, not melted)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional extras (choose your mood):
Chocolate chips
Sprinkles
Crushed nuts
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Orange zest
Nothing fancy. Nothing scary.
Step-by-Step Cooking Method -Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Butter and Sugar Moment
Add butter and sugar to the big bowl.
Mix until it looks lighter in color. Fluffy-ish.
Doesn’t have to be smooth like a magazine photo.
If it looks a little uneven… that’s real life.
Step 2: Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg.
Add vanilla.
Mix again.
At this stage, the batter might look slightly broken. Weird. Not smooth.
That’s okay. Keep going.
Step 3: Dry Ingredients Join In
In the smaller bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
Slowly add this to the wet mix.
Stir gently.
Don’t dump everything at once — learned that the hard way.
The dough will get thick.
You might pause and think, “Is this right?”
Yes. It is.
Step 4: The Fun Part
Now add whatever makes you happy.
Chocolate chips? Always yes.
Sprinkles? Christmas says yes.
Cinnamon? Warm and cozy.
Fold it in slowly. No rush.
Step 5: Shape Without Overthinking
Take small portions. Roll into balls.
Place on a baking tray.
Press lightly with fingers.
Not flat. Just relaxed.
Uneven shapes are welcome here.
Step 6: Baking Time
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
Bake for 10–12 minutes.
Edges should look done.
Centers should look slightly soft.
Please don’t wait for them to turn brown all over.
That’s how cookies lose their soul.
Cooling (The Hardest Step)
Let them rest on the tray for a few minutes.
Then move to a rack.
They’ll firm up naturally.
Yes… one warm cookie is mandatory. Non-negotiable.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipe Variations (Because Why Not)
This recipe is like a base song. Remix it.
Classic Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Add extra chocolate chips. No explanation needed.
Cinnamon Christmas Cookies
Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar. Smells like holidays instantly.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Make a small dent. Add jam. Looks impressive with zero effort.
Nutty Cookies
Add chopped almonds or walnuts. Crunchy and cozy.
Orange Christmas Cookies
Add orange zest. Sounds strange. Tastes amazing. Trust me.
Health Benefits for Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
No, these aren’t healthy foods.
But also… they’re not the enemy.
Homemade cookies mean:
No preservatives
Controlled sugar
Better ingredients
Less guilt
More joy
And honestly — mental comfort counts too. Especially during Christmas.
Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add butter and sugar to the big bowl.
- Mix until it looks lighter in color. Fluffy-ish.
- Doesn’t have to be smooth like a magazine photo.
- If it looks a little uneven… that’s real life.
- Add the egg.
- Add vanilla.
- Mix again.
- At this stage, the batter might look slightly broken. Weird. Not smooth.
- That’s okay. Keep going.
- In the smaller bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly add this to the wet mix.
- Stir gently.
- Don’t dump everything at once — learned that the hard way.
- The dough will get thick.
- You might pause and think, “Is this right?”
- Yes. It is.
- Now add whatever makes you happy.
- Chocolate chips? Always yes.
- Sprinkles? Christmas says yes.
- Cinnamon? Warm and cozy.
- Fold it in slowly. No rush.
- Take small portions. Roll into balls.
- Place on a baking tray.
- Press lightly with fingers.
- Not flat. Just relaxed.
- Uneven shapes are welcome here.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Edges should look done.
- Centers should look slightly soft.
- Please don’t wait for them to turn brown all over.
- That’s how cookies lose their soul.
- Let them rest on the tray for a few minutes.
- Then move to a rack.
- They’ll firm up naturally.
- Yes… one warm cookie is mandatory. Non-negotiable.
Nutrition (Approximate, Not Obsessive)
Per cookie (medium size):
Calories: around 120–140
Carbs: yes
Fat: yes
Happiness: high
Balance exists. Enjoy one. Or two.
Extra Tips for Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Butter too soft = flat cookies
- Dough sticky? Chill it for 15 minutes
- Cookies too dry? Baked too long
- Pale cookies? Give them one more minute
- Always taste the dough (you will anyway)
Storage & Freezing (Very Useful Around Holidays)
Storing Baked Cookies
Airtight container.
Room temperature.
Good for 5–6 days.
Freezing Dough
Roll balls. Freeze.
Bake directly from the freezer. Add 2 minutes.
Perfect for last-minute guests.
Related Recipes
- Texas Roadhouse Italian Dressing Recipe
- Smoked Chicken Rub Recipe
- Father of the Brine Recipe
- Smoked Chicken Rub
Serving Ideas (Simple but Cozy)
Serve with:
Hot milk
Coffee
Tea
Hot chocolate
Wrap in paper.
Tie with ribbon.
Give as gifts.
Or keep them hidden.
I won’t tell.
common mistakes to avoid when making Easy Christmas Cookies
1. Skipping the Dough Chilling Step
Chilling firms up the butter, which helps cookies keep their shape. Without chilling, cookies spread too much and lose crisp edges.
2. Using Melted Instead of Softened Butter
Melted butter makes greasy, flat cookies. Butter should be soft enough to press with a finger but not shiny or runny.
3. Overmixing the Dough
Once flour is added, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten and makes cookies tough instead of tender.
4. Adding Too Much Flour
Packing flour tightly into the cup can lead to dry, crumbly cookies. Always spoon flour into the cup and level it off.
5. Not Measuring Ingredients Properly
Baking is precise. Too much sugar causes spreading; too little makes cookies bland and hard.
6. Rolling Dough Too Thin or Too Thick
Too thin = burnt, crispy cookies.
Too thick = undercooked centers. Aim for about ¼ inch thickness.
7. Skipping Parchment Paper
Greasing the tray alone can cause cookies to spread or burn on the bottom. Parchment helps even with baking.
8. Overcrowding the Baking Sheet
Cookies need space to spread. Place them at least 2 inches apart.
9. Overbaking
Cookies continue to cook after coming out of the oven. Remove when edges are set but centers still look slightly soft.
10. Decorating While Cookies Are Warm
Warm cookies melt icing and ruin designs. Always cool completely before decorating.
FAQs – Easy Christmas Cookies Recipe
1. Can I make these cookies without eggs?
Yes. Use ¼ cup milk or yogurt instead.
2. Why are my cookies spreading too much?
The butter was too warm. Chill the dough.
3. Can I reduce sugar?
Yes. Reduce by ¼ cup. Texture changes slightly.
4. How do I keep cookies soft?
Don’t overbake. Slightly underdone is perfect.
5. Are these cookies kid-friendly?
Very. Kids love shaping them.
6. Can I prepare dough in advance?
Yes. Dough lasts 2 days in the fridge.
7. Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. It scales easily.
Final Thoughts (From One Home Baker to Another)
This Easy christmas cookie recipe isn’t about doing everything right.
It’s about enjoying the process. Messy counters. Warm ovens. That first bite when you think, yeah… this was worth it.
Some cookies will look better than others.
Some will disappear faster.
That’s how you know you did it right.
Bake slowly.
Eat warm.
Enjoy Christmas, friend.