If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat to bring some extra joy to your holiday baking, you’re going to love this Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are wonderfully soft and tender, packed with cozy vanilla and a whisper of almond flavor that make biting into them feel like a warm holiday hug. They’ve become my go-to for gatherings because they’re easy to whip up and deliver consistent yumminess every time.

What makes this Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe truly stand out is how effortless it is to mix up a batch, even if you don’t have tons of baking experience. I’ve made them many times with friends and family — they’re a crowd-pleaser, especially when decorated with festive red and green sanding sugar. Plus, they hold their softness beautifully, which means you can bake ahead without worrying about ending up with dry cookies.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays an important part in keeping these cookies soft, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. I’ll also share some quick tips so you can shop confidently!

Salted butter: Using salted butter brings a subtle savory balance to the sweetness. Make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
Cream cheese: This adds tenderness and that irresistible richness to the cookie’s texture.
Sugar: Regular granulated sugar keeps the cookies sweet and contributes to their soft crumb.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture, helping the cookies stay nice and soft.
Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, classic flavor that makes these smell amazing as they bake.
Almond extract: Just a touch to elevate the flavor and add a festive, nutty undertone.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough; make sure to spoon and level it into your measuring cup for accuracy.
Cornstarch: This little addition keeps the cookies soft and tender by reducing gluten formation.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough so they’re soft but not cakey.
Salt: A pinch to enhance all the flavors and balance sweetness.
Red & Green sanding sugar: For that perfect festive sparkle and a slight crunch on top.

Variations

I love tweaking this Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe depending on my mood or the occasion. You can truly make it your own with a few easy swaps and additions!

Gluten-free version: I swapped the flour for a quality gluten-free blend once and the texture remained just as soft. Just check that your blend contains xanthan gum for structure.
Spiced twist: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice makes these perfect for a cozy winter vibe—you’ll love how that pairs with the almond extract.
Chocolate dip: I once dipped half the cookie in melted dark chocolate and sprinkled chopped nuts on top—it was a hit at a Christmas party!

How to Make Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy

This is where those softened butter and cream cheese shine. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed, and beat these ingredients together until light and fluffy — about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial for a silky texture and even sweetness. If your butter or cream cheese is a little cold, give them extra time to soften on the counter to avoid lumps.

Step 2: Add eggs and extracts, then mix well

Crack in the eggs one at a time and add vanilla and almond extract next. Beat everything together until fully combined. The eggs add moisture and structure, while the extracts are flavor powerhouses that will fill your kitchen with heavenly smells.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients and gradually mix into the wet

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients in batches, mixing on low speed just until you see no more streaks of flour. Overmixing can make these cookies tough, so be gentle! The cornstarch is like the secret weapon—really helps keep these soft.

Step 4: Shape, sprinkle sugar, and bake

Use a cookie scoop or your hands to roll dough into balls, then press them lightly onto your baking sheet. Before popping them into the oven, sprinkle the tops generously with red and green sanding sugar for that festive look and slight sweet crunch. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes — watch closely! You want them set but still soft in the middle, never browned.

How to Serve Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows an overhead view of baking ingredients placed neatly on a white marbled surface. Starting from the top left, there is a white square dish holding a solid, pale yellow block of butter. To the right, a white round bowl contains a dark brown liquid, likely vanilla extract. Below the butter, a white round bowl holds three light brown eggs. Next to it, a larger white bowl is filled with white flour, showing its fine, powdery texture. Below the eggs, there is another white round bowl filled with shredded white cheese or coconut flakes. Surrounding these main bowls are smaller white dishes containing green, white, and red round sprinkles, powdery white substance, and granulated sugar, all arranged neatly in a balanced composition. The clean layout and soft natural light give the ingredients a fresh, ready-to-use look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually stick with the sparkling red and green sanding sugar because it makes the cookies shine and adds a subtle crunch that contrasts beautifully with their softness. But I’ve also experimented with tiny edible pearls or a light drizzle of white chocolate for special occasions.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with these cookies than a big mug of hot cocoa or a cup of spiced chai tea — that cozy combo instantly ups the holiday cheer. I also like to serve them alongside a cheese board during festive gatherings for a sweet-savory twist.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on a tiered platter dotted with fresh pine branches, cranberries, and mini ornaments to really amp up the Christmas vibes. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with ribbon makes them perfect handmade gifts or stocking stuffers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay soft and fresh for about a week, which is great if you’re prepping for a party or just want to enjoy them over time without losing that lovely softness.

Freezing

Whenever I make a big batch, I freeze some dough balls ahead of time on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. This way, you always have freshly baked cookies ready for unexpected guests or busy holiday mornings!

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or briefly in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes—it revives that soft texture nicely without drying them out. Just watch carefully so they don’t overcook.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe without cream cheese?

While cream cheese adds to the softness and richness, you can omit it and increase the butter slightly. Your cookies will still be tasty but might be less tender and a bit more crumbly. I recommend sticking to the original if you want that signature softness!
How do I keep these cookies soft for longer?

Storing them properly in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers helps maintain softness. Adding a slice of bread inside the container can also trap moisture to keep cookies lingering in that soft, fresh-baked state.
Is sanding sugar necessary?

Sanding sugar isn’t mandatory, but it gives the perfect holiday sparkle and a touch of crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cookies. If you don’t have it, regular granulated sugar works, but the festive vibe might be a little less dazzling.
Can I use cookie cutters with this recipe?

Yes! You can chill the dough for about an hour, then roll it out and cut festive shapes. Just be gentle when transferring to the baking sheet to keep them from stretching. I find these cookies hold their shape nicely after chilling.
What’s the best way to measure flour for this recipe?

Lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife, rather than scooping directly, which can lead to using too much flour and drier cookies. This little tip made a big difference for me when perfecting my batches!

Final Thoughts

This Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart — it’s the recipe I reach for when I need something quick, festive, and reliably delicious. I hope you’ll try it this season and find it as comforting and fun as I do. Whether you’re baking with family or sending a batch as a sweet gift, these cookies really bring a little magic to the holidays. So grab your mixing bowl, and let’s get baking — you’ve got a batch of soft, cheerful Christmas cookies waiting to happen!

Easy Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 72 reviews

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This Easy Soft Christmas Cookie Recipe delivers tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies perfect for holiday celebrations. Combining creamy butter and cream cheese with a hint of almond extract, these cookies are soft, flavorful, and beautifully festive when topped with red and green sanding sugar. Simple to make and irresistibly delicious, they are ideal for sharing with family and friends during Christmas.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 stick salted butter, softened (113g)
2 ounces cream cheese, softened (57g)
1½ cups sugar (300g)
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract

Dry Ingredients

2½ cups all-purpose flour (312g)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (8g)
1 teaspoon baking soda (5g)
¼ teaspoon salt (1.5g)

Topping

Red sanding sugar (for decoration)
Green sanding sugar (for decoration)

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the cookie dough, ensuring even baking.
Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add eggs and extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla and almond extracts until fully combined.
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain cookie tenderness.
Shape the cookies: Scoop the dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, and roll into balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Add topping: Lightly press each dough ball into the red and green sanding sugar, gently coating the tops for a festive look.
Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their soft texture.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing.
Do not overbake—the cookies should look slightly underdone in the center for maximum softness.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Red and green sanding sugar adds festive color but can be substituted with plain sugar or sprinkles as desired.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, soft cookies, holiday baking, cream cheese cookies, festive cookies