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Christmas Cutout Cookies: A Festive Favorite for the Holiday Season
Nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like a batch of freshly baked Christmas cutout cookies. Buttery, sweet, and perfectly crisp around the edges, these cookies are a timeless tradition—loved by kids and adults alike. Whether you’re decorating them with intricate royal icing or letting little hands pile on the sprinkles, cutout cookies are the heart and soul of holiday baking.
The best part? These cookies aren’t just beautiful—they’re absolutely delicious, with a tender texture that holds its shape in the oven and melts in your mouth. Perfect for cookie swaps, gifts, or cozy nights in with a mug of cocoa, this recipe is a must-have for your festive repertoire.
🎄 Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cutout Cookies
- Hold their shape while baking—no spreading or puffing.
- Flavorful and buttery, not bland like many sugar cookies.
- Perfect for decorating with icing, sprinkles, or sanding sugar.
- Make-ahead friendly—you can chill, freeze, or bake ahead of time.
🍪 Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional for a festive touch)
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For decorating:
- Royal icing, buttercream, or simple powdered sugar glaze
- Sprinkles, sanding sugar, edible glitter, food coloring
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
2. Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until combined.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
4. Chill the Dough
Divide dough in half and flatten into discs. Wrap each in pla
