Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies w/ CC Frosting Recipe

The air is crisp, carols are playing, and there’s a magical buzz in the kitchen – it must be Christmas baking season! If you’re dreaming of a cookie that’s soft, sweet, and melts in your mouth, look no further. We’re about to dive into the most delightful recipe for Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting! Forget complicated steps and endless chilling; this recipe is designed for pure holiday joy and incredible flavor. Get ready to bake up a batch of festive cheer that will have everyone asking for more. These aren’t just cookies; they’re little discs of holiday happiness, topped with a luscious, tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting that truly elevates the classic sugar cookie experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Prepare to fall head over heels for these festive treats! Here are four compelling reasons why this recipe for Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting! will become your new holiday favorite:

1. Effortlessly Easy & No Chilling Required: Say goodbye to hours of waiting! This recipe cuts down on prep time significantly, allowing you to whip up soft, delicious cookies without the fuss of chilling the dough. It’s truly an easy recipe perfect for busy holiday schedules.
2. Irresistibly Soft & Chewy Texture: Unlike some overly crisp sugar cookies, these beauties are designed to be wonderfully soft and tender with just the right amount of chew. They practically melt in your mouth, especially when paired with the creamy frosting.
3. Divine Cream Cheese Frosting: The star of the show! Our lightly sweetened cream cheese frosting adds a delightful tangy counterpoint to the sweet cookies. It’s smooth, luscious, and makes these Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting! utterly addictive.
4. Perfectly Festive & Customizable: Loaded with Christmas jimmies inside and topped with more holiday sprinkles, these cookies are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. They’re perfect for holiday parties, gifting, or simply enjoying by the fire.

INGREDIENTS

For the Soft Sugar Cookies:

• 🌾 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 🥄 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt
• 🧈 ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 🍚 1 cup granulated sugar
• 🥚 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 🌿 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 🌰 ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for a richer flavor)
• ✨ ⅓ cup festive Christmas jimmies sprinkles

For the Lightly Sweetened Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 🧀 10 ounces (about 1¼ bricks) full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 🧈 13 tablespoons salted butter, softened
• 🌿 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 🧂 ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 🍚 1¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 🥛 ⅓ cup very cold heavy cream

For Topping:

• 🎉 ¼ cup assorted festive Christmas sprinkles

Detailed Step-by-Step Directions: How to Make Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Ready to create some holiday magic? Follow these simple steps to make your own batch of delicious Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Let’s Bake the Sugar Cookies!

1. Get Ready! Preheat your oven to 350°F and line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, simply whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mix aside.
3. Cream the Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl!
4. Add Egg & Vanilla: Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using), mixing on medium-low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add your dry ingredient mix to the butter mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep them soft!
6. Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in those fun Christmas jimmies sprinkles with a spatula until they’re evenly spread throughout the dough.
7. Scoop the Dough: Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop (or about 48-50g) to portion out your dough.
8. Roll and Place: Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place them about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheets.
9. Slightly Flatten: Gently flatten each dough ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, ensuring they’re at least ½-inch thick.
10. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the tops look soft, not glossy. It’s important they don’t brown!
11. Shape While Warm: Once out of the oven, immediately use a slightly larger cookie cutter or glass to gently shape each cookie into a perfect circle by rotating it around the warm edges.
12. Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then carefully move them to a wire rack to cool down completely before frosting.

Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting!

1. Beat Cream Cheese & Butter: In your stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and butter on low speed until perfectly smooth, creamy, and lump-free, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape the bowl often!
2. Add Flavor: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt on low speed until just combined.
3. Sweeten Gradually: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar in three additions, beating on low speed until just combined after each, about 10-15 seconds. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
4. Whip with Cream: Slowly drizzle in the very cold heavy cream, about 1 tablespoon at a time, while whisking on low speed until beautiful stiff peaks form, roughly 1-1½ minutes. Be careful not to overwhip!

Time to Assemble & Decorate!

1. Frost Your Cookies: Pipe the frosting in a lovely spiral pattern onto each cooled cookie, starting from the center and moving outwards with a #2A or #1A piping tip. No piping bag? No problem! A spatula works great for spreading decorative swirls.
2. Add Final Sprinkles: For the perfect finish, sprinkle with extra festive Christmas sprinkles right before serving! Enjoy your delicious creations!

Presenting & Serving Your Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Once you’ve crafted these beautiful Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!, it’s time to show them off! Their festive look and incredible taste make them perfect for a variety of holiday occasions. Here are some delightful ways to present and serve your homemade treats:

• Classic Holiday Platter: Arrange your frosted cookies on a large, festive platter with some fresh cranberries or sprigs of rosemary for an extra touch of holiday elegance.
• Tiered Dessert Stand: For a grand display at a holiday party, stack your cookies on a beautiful tiered dessert stand. This makes a stunning centerpiece!
• Individual Gift Bags: Place 2-3 cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie them with a festive ribbon, and attach a small gift tag. They make wonderful homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or coworkers.
• Cookie Exchange Ready: These cookies are absolute winners for any holiday cookie exchange. Their unique flavor and lovely appearance will surely impress!
• Santa’s Special Treat: Don’t forget the big man in red! These soft cookies and rich frosting are sure to be a hit with Santa (and his reindeer!).
• Coffee or Hot Cocoa Companion: Serve them alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa, coffee, or a glass of cold milk. The flavors complement each other perfectly, making for a cozy holiday moment.
• Dessert Bar Addition: If you’re hosting a holiday spread, these cookies are a fantastic addition to a dessert bar, offering a delightful contrast to richer, heavier desserts.

Storing Your Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Want to enjoy these delicious Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting! beyond bake day? Proper storage is key to keeping them fresh and flavorful. Here’s how to ensure your holiday treats last:

• At Room Temperature (Short-term): If your home is cool (below 70°F/21°C), these frosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Make sure they are in a single layer or separated by parchment paper to prevent the frosting from sticking.
• In the Refrigerator (Best Option): Due to the cream cheese frosting, refrigeration is generally recommended for optimal freshness and safety. Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
• Freezing Unfrosted Cookies: You can bake the cookies ahead of time and freeze them unfrosted. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will last for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
• Freezing Frosted Cookies: While possible, the texture of the frosting can change slightly after freezing and thawing. To freeze frosted cookies, flash freeze them on a baking sheet until the frosting is solid (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container, layering with parchment paper. They can be stored for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving.

FAQs About Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!

1. Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
   Yes, you can! The cookie dough can be prepared and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Let it come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking.
2. What if I don’t have almond extract?
   No problem! The almond extract is optional and adds a richer, slightly nutty depth of flavor. If you don’t have it, simply omit it. The cookies will still be delicious with just the vanilla extract.
3. Why is my cream cheese frosting lumpy?
   Lumpy frosting usually means your cream cheese and butter weren’t soft enough or weren’t beaten long enough initially. Ensure both ingredients are at true room temperature and beat them on low speed until perfectly smooth before adding other ingredients. Scrape the bowl frequently.
4. Can I use cold butter for the cookies?
   For the best results and a truly soft cookie, it’s crucial to use softened, room temperature butter. Cold butter won’t cream properly with the sugar, leading to a denser, less tender cookie.
5. How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
   Ensure your butter isn’t *too* soft (verging on melted). Also, don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour. Using a cookie scoop helps maintain consistent size, and gently flattening them to ½-inch thickness is ideal. Make sure your oven temperature is accurate.
6. Can I use low-fat cream cheese for the frosting?
   For the best texture and stability, full-fat cream cheese is highly recommended for this frosting. Low-fat varieties tend to have more water content and can result in a thinner, less stable frosting.
7. What’s the best way to get perfectly round cookies?
   The trick is to use a slightly larger round cookie cutter or the rim of a glass immediately after they come out of the oven. While the cookies are still warm and pliable, place the cutter around a cookie and gently swirl it to nudge the edges into a perfect circle.
8. Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
   Absolutely! This recipe for Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting! scales up beautifully. Just make sure you have a large enough mixer bowl and enough baking sheets for your increased yield.
9. How do I know when the cookies are baked perfectly?
   Look for edges that are just set and appear lightly golden (not browned) and tops that look soft and matte, rather than glossy. Overbaking will result in a dry, hard cookie, so err on the side of underbaking if unsure.
10. What kind of sprinkles should I use for decorating?
    For the dough, use festive Christmas jimmies as specified. For topping, any assorted Christmas sprinkles work wonderfully – nonpareils, confetti sprinkles, or even sanding sugar can add extra sparkle and charm to your Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting!