Tis the season to gather in the kitchen and create sweet memories with your little ones. This Christmas, why not indulge in some festive fun by baking delicious Christmas sugar cookies together? In this article, we will guide you through a delightful Christmas cookie recipe that is perfect for kids to join in the baking adventure. From mixing the dough to decorating the cookies, every step is a chance to bond and create lasting traditions with your family. So grab your aprons and get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these scrumptious treats!
Parent Tip! This Christmas sugar cookie recipe requires the dough to chill 2 hours to a couple days so I recommend making it in advance. You could even put it together on your own quickly and just bring it out for the kids ready to roll. Kids will have fun gathering and mixing the ingredients for the frosting.
The Origin of the Christmas Cookie Tradition
As you gather your ingredients and supplies for this festive baking adventure, it’s interesting to know the origin of the Christmas cookie tradition. Christmas cookies have been a beloved part of holiday celebrations for centuries, with their roots tracing back to Medieval Europe. During this time, cookies were prepared with ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, and dried fruits, reflecting the indulgence and luxury associated with Christmas festivities. The tradition of baking Christmas cookies as a way to celebrate the holiday season spread across Europe and eventually made its way to America, where it continues to be a cherished custom among families.
Understanding the history behind Christmas cookies adds a special layer of significance to the baking process, connecting you with generations past who also gathered in the kitchen to create these delightful treats. So as you embark on this baking journey with your kids, remember that you are not just making cookies – you are carrying on a tradition that has brought joy and warmth to countless homes throughout history. This is a special time to share your own baking memories from childhood too. Let the magic of the Christmas cookie tradition inspire you as you bake, decorate, and savor each delicious bite with your loved ones. Here is another cookie recipe I love for Christmas.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe with Frosting
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour I like King Arthur flour
- 1 tsp baking powder Baking powder acts as leavener, to make the cookies rise.
- ½ tsp salt A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, but won't make the cookies taste salty.
- 1½ cups white sugar Beaten with margarine or butter
- 1 cup butter or margarine Room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter or margarine Room temperature
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- food coloring
Instructions
Mixing and Rolling out the Dough for Sugar Cookies
- Mixing and rolling out the dough is a crucial step in creating the perfect Christmas cookies with your kids. This part of the process not only allows your little ones to get hands-on with the baking but also sets the stage for the fun shapes they will soon be cutting out. So, let's dive into the next step of this festive baking adventure with your pint-sized chefs.
- Gather all your ingredients (get them out in time for the butter and eggs to get to room temperature).
- Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and sift together. If you use a stand mixer, start your WET ingredients in the mixer’s bowl first.
- Beat sugar and margarine in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Beat first egg into butter mixture. Beat second egg into mixture along with vanilla extract.
- Add flour mixture and stir until dough is just combined.
- Wrap dough; chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours minimum. Some bakers advise to roll out the dough before chilling but myfrigerator is stuffed this time of year and there just isn't room! Good for you if you can—I love making as much as possible in advance.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Roll out dough on a clean floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters; arrange them on the prepared cookie sheets. Gather scraps and repeat this step.
- Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making Christmas Sugar Cookie Frosting
- Cream butter
- Gradually ad inn powdered sugar
- Add in milk and extract
- Add in food coloring and any additional milk if needed to get a smooth spreading consistency.
Cutting Out Christmas Sugar Cookie Shapes
Once the Christmas sugar cookie dough is rolled out to the perfect thickness, it’s time to break out the cookie cutters and start cutting out fun shapes. This is where the real creativity and excitement can shine through as your kids choose their favorite festive designs to bring to life. From classic Christmas trees and snowflakes to whimsical reindeer and gingerbread men, the possibilities are endless. Cutting out these shapes is a fun and interactive way for children to get involved in the baking process and let their imaginations run wild. Older kids might even use a plastic knife or butter knife to freehand to cut their own shapes. Maybe even an M for Mom because she is Marvelous and D for a Delightful Dad!
As you and your little ones cut out the shapes, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space in between each cookie to allow for even baking. Once all of the shapes are cut out, it’s time to pop them in the oven and watch as they transform into delicious Christmas sugar cookies. Get ready to decorate these festive treats with colorful icing, sprinkles, and other fun toppings in the next step of this holiday baking adventure.
Decorate Sugar Cookies With An Easy Frosting Recipe
Okay, the easiest frosting of all is to just pick up a couple of tubs of white frosting from the grocery store! If you want to make it a little thinner and easier to spread, whip in a drop of milk until it is the desired consistency. Add your food color and voila! But, for those of you who are feeling inspired, here is a quick homemade frosting recipe that makes 2 cups of frosting for sugar cookies.
Parent Tip: Because you’re likely going to want at least a few colors for your Christmas cookies, I always buy or make extra. And, because sometimes it is hard to share and wait until your sister has finished. Having two bowls of red frosting is a little thing that can bring extra peace to the season.
Baking and Enjoying Christmas Sugar Cookies
As the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the kitchen, gather your family around the table to savor these festive treats together. Take a moment to admire the creativity and hard work that went into making these delicious Christmas cookies with your little ones. Take lots of photos. It’s true. Today won’t come again and they grow up so fast! Share stories, laughter, and joy as you enjoy each bite of these homemade goodies.
Once you have indulged in a few Christmas sugar cookies (or maybe more than a few), consider making extra cookies to share with friends, neighbors, and those in need this holiday season. This act of kindness and generosity will not only spread joy to others but also make your baking experience even more meaningful. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with your homemade Christmas cookies. I hope you have created special moments with your kids that will be cherished for years to come. Happy baking!
For more family-friendly recipes, see our Food & Home page and find lots more holiday fun ideas for your family!
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JENNIFER BRYERTON, Ma Ed., our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, started her career in teaching, Co-founded CharlottesvilleFamily and is a mom of four. A believer in experiential education and an avid gardener, beehives, a fruit and veggie plot, perennial borders and a chicken coop dot the family lawn west of Charlottesville. Jen also enjoys sharing travel, museums, theater performances and nature attractions with her family.
