Introduction
There’s something magical about baking sugar cookies during Christmas. The smell of butter, vanilla, and sugar fills the air while you decorate each cookie with love and color. These 23 Christmas sugar cookie ideas are sweet, fun, and perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a mug of hot cocoa. Let’s bake up some joy!
1. Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies
These are the cookies everyone remembers from childhood — crisp on the edges, soft in the middle, and full of buttery flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined.
- Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness; cut into shapes.
- Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool completely before decorating.
How to Serve It:
Dust with powdered sugar or decorate with royal icing in festive colors.
2. Frosted Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Beautiful, delicate, and perfect for a winter wonderland theme.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Royal icing (white and silver food coloring)
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and almond extract.
- Mix in flour and baking powder.
- Roll out dough and cut snowflake shapes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9 minutes.
- Cool and decorate with royal icing.
How to Serve It:
Add silver sugar pearls or shimmer dust for a frosty sparkle.
3. Peppermint Swirl Sugar Cookies
These cookies bring a cheerful peppermint twist to your holiday tray.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugar; add egg and peppermint.
- Divide dough; tint half red.
- Roll out each color, stack, and roll into a log.
- Chill 1 hour.
- Slice ¼-inch thick rounds.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Pair with hot chocolate for a minty-sweet combo.
4. Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
A festive forest of edible trees that kids will love decorating.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Green gel food coloring
- Icing for decorating
Instructions:
- Prepare basic dough, add green coloring.
- Roll out and cut tree shapes.
- Bake 9–10 minutes at 350°F.
- Cool, then pipe decorations.
How to Serve It:
Arrange on a platter with white sugar “snow.”
5. Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
These striped beauties are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
Instructions:
- Prepare dough; divide in half.
- Tint one half red.
- Roll ropes of each color, twist together into canes.
- Bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dust with crushed peppermint candy.
6. Iced Ornament Sugar Cookies
Perfect for gifting or hanging on edible cookie trees!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Assorted icing colors
Instructions:
- Roll out dough, cut round ornament shapes.
- Use a straw to make a small hole for ribbon (optional).
- Bake 8–9 minutes at 350°F.
- Cool, then decorate with colorful icing patterns.
How to Serve It:
Thread ribbons through holes for edible ornaments.
7. Ginger Sugar Cookies
These have a warm spice twist perfect for chilly evenings.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp molasses
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg and molasses.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Scoop and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Enjoy with a cup of tea or warm cider.
8. Snowman Sugar Cookies
Kids adore decorating these jolly snowmen!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- White icing, chocolate chips, candy decorations
Instructions:
- Roll dough and cut into circles.
- Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes.
- Cool and decorate with icing faces.
How to Serve It:
Arrange in rows like a snowy crowd.
9. Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
Soft, festive, and a showstopper on any cookie tray.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg, vanilla, and color.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Top with cream cheese frosting for extra flavor.
10. Sprinkle Explosion Cookies
Perfect for parties or gifting in cookie jars.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions:
- Roll dough into balls.
- Press into sprinkles.
- Bake 9–10 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It:
Serve with milk or hot cocoa for extra fun
11. Stained Glass Sugar Cookies
These cookies look like mini stained glass ornaments — stunning and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Crushed hard candies (various colors)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out dough and cut shapes.
- Cut smaller shapes from centers.
- Fill cutouts with crushed candy.
- Bake 8–9 minutes until candy melts.
- Cool completely before removing from tray.
How to Serve It:
Hang them on your tree with ribbons or package them as edible gifts.
12. Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies
These elegant cookies mix buttery crunch with smooth chocolate bliss.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions:
- Prepare and bake basic sugar cookies (350°F, 10 minutes).
- Melt chocolate with coconut oil.
- Dip half of each cookie, place on parchment.
- Sprinkle crushed candy or nuts before chocolate sets.
How to Serve It:
Serve on a gold platter for an elegant dessert tray.
13. Cranberry Orange Sugar Cookies
Sweet citrus and tart cranberry make these festive and fragrant.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg and orange zest.
- Stir in flour and baking soda.
- Fold in cranberries.
- Bake 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It:
Drizzle with orange glaze for extra sparkle.
14. Nutella-Filled Sugar Cookies
Every bite has a surprise — creamy Nutella wrapped in sugar cookie dough!
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup Nutella
Instructions:
- Scoop small balls of dough; flatten slightly.
- Add ½ tsp Nutella to the center.
- Cover with another dough round and seal edges.
- Bake 9–10 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It:
Dust with powdered sugar before serving warm.
15. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookies
Soft, spiced, and comforting — perfect for cold December nights.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugars.
- Add egg and cinnamon.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Bake 8–9 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It:
Pair with hot apple cider or chai.
16. Red & Green Marble Cookies
A playful, colorful treat that brings the festive spirit to life.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Red and green food coloring
Instructions:
- Divide dough into three portions: plain, red, green.
- Swirl colors gently together.
- Shape into logs, slice cookies.
- Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Add edible glitter for extra shine.
17. Eggnog Sugar Cookies
The ultimate holiday flavor captured in one soft bite.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup eggnog
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg, eggnog, and vanilla.
- Stir in dry ingredients.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
- Frost with eggnog glaze.
How to Serve It:
Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
18. White Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Buttery sweetness meets creamy white chocolate — irresistible!
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup white chocolate chunks
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg and vanilla.
- Stir in flour and baking soda.
- Fold in white chocolate.
- Bake at 350°F for 9–10 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Serve with a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top.
19. Reindeer Face Cookies
These bring fun and laughter to every cookie plate!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- Chocolate-covered pretzels (for antlers)
- Red candies (for noses)
Instructions:
- Cut dough into circles; bake 9 minutes at 350°F.
- While warm, add pretzels as antlers and candies for noses.
- Cool and pipe eyes with icing.
How to Serve It:
Arrange on a plate with Santa hats nearby for kids’ delight.
20. White Iced Snowball Cookies
They look like snowballs and taste like buttery heaven.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Extra powdered sugar for coating
Instructions:
- Mix butter and sugar.
- Add flour and vanilla.
- Roll into balls.
- Bake at 325°F for 12 minutes.
- Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
How to Serve It:
Stack in a bowl that looks like a snow pile.
21. Lemon Glazed Sugar Cookies
Fresh and tangy — a zesty twist on the classic sugar cookie.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg, zest, and juice.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes.
- Brush with lemon glaze while warm.
How to Serve It:
Sprinkle with grated zest for sparkle.
22. Hot Cocoa Sugar Cookies
These taste like a cup of hot cocoa in cookie form.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- Mini marshmallows for topping
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugar, add egg.
- Combine mixtures.
- Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes.
- Add marshmallows and drizzle chocolate on top.
How to Serve It:
Serve warm for the gooey marshmallow effect.
23. Sugar Cookie Sandwiches
Double the cookie, double the cheer!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Buttercream frosting (red or green)
Instructions:
- Bake round sugar cookies at 350°F for 9 minutes.
- Cool completely.
- Spread frosting between two cookies.
How to Serve It:
Roll edges in sprinkles for a festive touch.
Conclusion
From peppermint swirls to gooey Nutella centers, these Christmas sugar cookies bring the season’s joy straight to your kitchen. Bake them with family, gift them to friends, or share them at holiday parties — each cookie carries a bit of magic. Keep this list handy, because these recipes are too cute (and too delicious) not to make again next year!
Leave a Reply