Name: The Best Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe – Easy, Buttery & Festive!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened – the star ingredient that gives these cookies their rich flavor); ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 egg yolk (room temperature – adds richness and tenderness); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract; 1 –2 tablespoons festive sprinkles (plus more for rolling – bring the holiday sparkle!)

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These Christmas butter cookies are soft, buttery, and coated in festive red, green, and white sprinkles. An easy holiday cookie recipe ready in 22 minutes!

If you’re looking for an easy holiday treat to add to your Christmas baking list, these Christmas butter cookies are just what you need! They’re rich, buttery, and coated in festive red, green, and white sprinkles, making them a simple yet delicious addition to your holiday dessert table. Made with everyday ingredients and ready in just 22 minutes, these cookies are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or packaging into homemade gifts for friends and family. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or simply craving something sweet during the holiday season, these Christmas butter cookies are sure to become a festive favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Butter Cookie Recipe

Perfectly Buttery & Soft – These Christmas butter cookies have a delicate, buttery texture that makes them irresistible.
Easy & Quick – No complicated techniques, just simple mixing and baking.
Festive & Fun – The colorful sprinkles add a joyful touch, making them great for holiday cookie exchanges or gifts.
Customizable – Add your favorite extracts, swap in colored sugars, or drizzle with white chocolate for an extra festive flair.

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk, room temperature
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
1-2 tablespoons festive sprinkles (plus more for rolling)

Instructions:

Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream Butter & Sugar: In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until well combined.
Incorporate Flour: Gradually add in the all-purpose flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Add Sprinkles: Fold 1-2 tablespoons of festive sprinkles into the dough for extra holiday cheer.
Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll them into balls.
Coat with Sprinkles: Roll each ball in a small bowl of festive sprinkles until fully coated.
Arrange & Flatten: Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Gently press each ball with your palm to slightly flatten.
Bake & Cool: Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are just set. Let the Christmas butter cookies cool completely before serving.

Pro Tips for the Best Butter Cookies

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures even mixing and a smooth dough.
Don’t Overbake: The Christmas butter cookies should be just set on the edges for the best texture.
Make Ahead Friendly: Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Why These Christmas Butter Cookies Make a Great Gift

If you’re looking for a homemade treat to share during the holiday season, these Christmas butter cookies are a wonderful choice! Their buttery flavor, delicate texture, and festive decorations make them a thoughtful gift for friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and coworkers.

They’re beautiful and festive. Decorate your cookies with Christmas icing, colorful sprinkles, or holiday-themed designs to make each batch feel extra special.

They’re perfect for cookie boxes. Arrange the cooled cookies in a decorative tin, holiday gift box, or clear treat bag tied with a festive ribbon. You can even combine them with gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and other holiday favorites for a homemade Christmas cookie assortment.

They’re easy to personalize. Choose different cookie cutter shapes, icing colors, and sprinkles to create a gift that suits each recipient. You can even add a handwritten note with serving suggestions or a little holiday greeting.

They’re great for sharing. Bring a batch to a holiday party, add them to a cookie exchange, or package a few as a sweet thank-you gift. Homemade Christmas butter cookies are a simple way to spread a little holiday cheer.

For the best presentation, let the cookies cool completely and allow any icing to set before packaging. Store them in an airtight container to help maintain their freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Christmas butter cookies made of?

Christmas butter cookies are made with simple ingredients, including all-purpose flour, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and festive sprinkles. The butter gives them their rich flavor, while the extracts add a delicious aroma.

How long do Christmas butter cookies take to make?

These Christmas butter cookies take approximately 10 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to bake, making them a quick and easy holiday treat. Allow additional time for the cookies to cool before serving or packaging them as gifts.

Do I need to chill the dough for Christmas butter cookies?

This recipe does not include a chilling step, so you can shape and bake the cookies as soon as the dough is ready. If your kitchen is particularly warm or the dough becomes too soft to handle, refrigerate it briefly to make shaping easier.

How do I keep Christmas butter cookies from becoming dry?

Measure the flour carefully and avoid overbaking the cookies. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just set. Let them cool before transferring them to an airtight container to help preserve their texture.

Can I use different sprinkles for Christmas butter cookies?

Absolutely! Red, green, and white sprinkles create a classic Christmas look, but you can use nonpareils, sanding sugar, or other festive sprinkle blends. You can also change the sprinkle colors to make these cookies for birthdays and other holidays.

Can I make Christmas butter cookies without almond extract?

Yes! You can replace the almond extract with additional vanilla extract if you prefer a more traditional vanilla flavor or want to avoid almond flavoring. Keep the total extract amount consistent with your preference.

How should I store Christmas butter cookies?

Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep them away from heat and moisture to maintain their texture.

Can I freeze Christmas butter cookies?

Yes! Place the completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if needed. Freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Are Christmas butter cookies good for gifting?

Yes! Their colorful sprinkles and buttery flavor make them ideal for holiday cookie boxes, Christmas parties, and homemade gifts for friends, family, neighbors, and teachers. Let the cookies cool completely before packaging them to prevent moisture buildup.

Can I make these Christmas butter cookies for other holidays?

Definitely! Simply change the sprinkle colors to match the occasion. Use pastel sprinkles for Easter, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, or orange and black for Halloween.

These Christmas butter cookies are the perfect festive treat to share with family and friends. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, a cozy night in, or as a homemade gift, they’re sure to be a hit!

Pin this recipe for later and spread the holiday cheer! 🎄🍪

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