Christmas sugar cookies 🌲
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Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Step 3: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, combine the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
Step 5: Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Step 6: Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to scoop out 1.5 tablespoons of cookie dough and place on the baking sheets, keeping the cookie dough balls 4-5 inches apart.
Step 7: Bake one sheet at a time for 8-11 minutes. The edges should look set but the middles will look soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Once the cookies are cool, make the buttercream. In a medium bowl, combine the butter, vanilla extract, salt and powdered sugar. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
Step 9: Frost the cookies! You can also add sprinkles if you wish.
I’m vegan, how do I make a flax egg for this recipe?
Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2 ½ tablespoons of warm water in a bowl. Set aside until it becomes very thick and gelatinous, this usually takes 15 minutes.
Why are my cookies hard?
If your sugar cookies came out hard, you may have added too much flour, over-worked the cookie dough, or over-baked the cookies.
Can I make these cookies without the frosting?
You sure can, just skip the buttercream and have these soft vanilla sugar cookies as is!

Expert Tips
I always recommend using a weighing scale when you’re baking! It is so easy to add too much flour, leading to dry and crumbly cookies. If you don’t have a weighing scale on hand, then use the scoop and level method to measure the flour. Use a fork or spoon to fluff up the floor, then spoon the flour into your measuring cup. Use a knife to level off the flour.
Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, stop mixing as soon as there are no more streaks of flour. It’s easy to overwork the cookie dough, giving you dry cookies.
If your buttercream isn’t as thick as you would like, feel free to add some more powdered sugar until it’s the consistency you want!
Keep an eye on the cookies in the oven so they don’t bake for too long! You want the middles to still look slightly under-baked.
Only make the buttercream once the cookies are completely cool, otherwise the buttercream will melt right off.
Add a few drops of food coloring to the buttercream, I love making purple frosting for Halloween and red and green for Christmas!
Storage Instructions
Store these buttercream frosted sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days, or in the fridge.
To freeze, place the cookies in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

5 from 1 review
Buttercream Frosted Sugar Cookies
Gabby
Just like your favorite Lofthouse cookies, but homemade! These buttercream frosted sugar cookies are so simple to make and ready in just 20 minutes.
Prep Time: 10minutes mins
Bake Time: 10minutes mins
Total Time: 20minutes mins
Servings: 26 cookies
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Ingredients
Soft Sugar Cookies
▢1 cup (210 g) butter, softened, (dairy free or regular)
▢1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
▢1 egg
▢2 teaspoons vanilla extract
▢¾ teaspoon salt
▢1 teaspoon baking powder
▢1 teaspoon baking soda
▢2½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour, SEE NOTES
Vanilla Buttercream
▢¾ cup (158 g) butter, softened , (regular or dairy free)
▢½ teaspoon vanilla extract
▢⅛ teaspoon salt
▢1½ cup (180 g) powdered sugar (icing/confectioners sugar), (plus more as needed)
#holidaycookierecipe #christmascookierecipes #cookierecipe #holidaydesserts #sugarcookies
Christmas sugar cookies are a festive treat that can brighten any holiday gathering. Making them from scratch allows you to customize flavors, shapes, and decorations to suit your style. This recipe's use of vanilla buttercream frosting adds a creamy, sweet finish that complements the lightly crisp yet soft texture of the sugar cookies. For those seeking vegan alternatives, the flax egg substitution mentioned is an excellent egg replacer, offering a natural binding effect while keeping the cookies moist. Measuring ingredients accurately is crucial when baking sugar cookies. Too much flour can make cookies dry and tough, as noted in the expert tips. Using a kitchen scale or the scoop and level method helps maintain the ideal dough consistency. Also, avoid overmixing once the dry and wet ingredients combine to prevent a dense cookie. The baking technique where cookies are baked individually on sheets and cooled on the baking tray before transferring to a wire rack helps them set perfectly without breaking apart. To personalize your Christmas sugar cookies, consider using food coloring in your buttercream for a festive touch—reds, greens, or even glittery sprinkles make them visually appealing for holiday parties. Storage is equally important to keep cookies fresh. An airtight container at room temperature is usually sufficient for immediate enjoyment, but refrigeration can extend their shelf life. Freezing baked and frosted cookies is a great way to prepare ahead and enjoy them anytime during the holiday season; just thaw at room temperature before serving. This recipe is versatile enough to skip frosting if you prefer simpler cookies or want to limit sugar. You can also experiment with adding extracts like almond or citrus zest to the dough for unique flavors. Sharing homemade Christmas sugar cookies is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer, and following these techniques ensures your batch will be a sweet success.
