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Christmas Sugar Cookies

These delightful Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, hold their shape, and are easy to decorate, making them perfect for holiday gifting and festive celebrations.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookies
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Use room temperature butter for best results.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Use real vanilla for better flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract Optional, for added flavor.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Measure correctly to avoid tough cookies.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes with a hand mixer.
  2. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add almond extract if desired.
  3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in two additions, mixing until the dough just comes together.
  5. Divide the dough into halves, pat into discs, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  6. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes.
  7. Transfer cut shapes to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
  8. Cool completely on a rack before decorating.

Notes

Dough can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. To decorate, use quick-setting icing or soft buttercream, and get creative with designs.