Butter Cookies Christmas Recipe

Introduction

These classic Butter Cookies are a festive favorite, perfect for Christmas. With a rich, buttery flavor and a tender texture, they hold their shape beautifully for decorating. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful treats with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 pound butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Step 2: Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
3. Step 3: Gradually beat in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough is smooth and well combined.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into two pieces, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
6. Step 6: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to between 1/4″ and 1/2″ thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes. Reroll any scraps to make more cookies.
7. Step 7: Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the bottoms just begin to brown. Avoid overbaking; the tops should remain without brown spots.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Step 9: Once cooled, frost and decorate the cookies as you like to celebrate the season.

Tips & Variations

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes it easier to cut precise shapes.
• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract in place of vanilla.
• Use colored sugar or royal icing to decorate and add festive flair.
• If you prefer a crispier cookie, roll the dough a bit thinner before baking.

Storage

Store the butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, let them come to room temperature. Frosted cookies are best eaten within a few days to keep decorations intact.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste.

Why do the cookies spread too much or become flat?

Make sure the dough is well chilled before rolling and cutting. Also, measuring flour accurately and not over-creaming the butter and sugar help maintain the right texture and shape.

Butter Cookies Christmas Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

Classic Christmas Butter Cookies made with rich butter and a hint of vanilla, perfect for holiday decorating. These tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are rolled out and cut into festive shapes, making them ideal for sharing and celebrating the season.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: About 4 dozen cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies

• 1 pound butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture.
2. Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Incorporate the four large egg yolks and two teaspoons of vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar. Mix well until fully combined.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually beat in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough is smooth and well combined, forming a soft dough.
4. Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and make rolling easier.
5. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking.
6. Roll and Cut Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough portion to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut festive shapes. Gather and reroll scraps to maximize cookie yield.
7. Bake Cookies: Arrange the shaped cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the bottoms begin to lightly brown. Avoid overbaking to keep the tops pale and tender.
8. Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Decorate: Once cooled, frost and decorate the cookies as desired for a festive touch.

Notes

• Do not overbake the cookies to keep them tender and prevent drying out.
• Softened butter is essential for proper creaming and texture.
• Use plastic wrap to chill the dough, which helps in handling and shaping the cookies.
• These cookies are perfect for holiday decorating with various frostings and sprinkles.
• Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, butter cookies, holiday baking, cut-out cookies, festive cookies, vanilla butter cookies