Easy No-Chill Christmas Sugar Cookies: Soft, Festive, and Ready in Minutes!
Embrace the holiday spirit with these incredibly soft and light Christmas Sugar Cookies, beautifully dipped in vibrant frosting and crowned with a sprinkle of crushed mints. This effortlessly delicious holiday sugar cookie recipe is your perfect solution for festive parties, thoughtful gift platters, or simply a cozy evening of baking. Best of all, it requires absolutely no chilling, no laborious rolling out of dough, and no fussy cookie cutters – just pure, simple holiday joy!
The holiday season always brings a delightful urge to bake, and for many years, crafting an assortment of sweet treats to share with friends and neighbors has become a cherished tradition in my home. What makes these particular easy sugar cookies a standout is their sheer simplicity paired with their stunning visual appeal. The bright, festive red and green colors instantly transform any plate into a holiday masterpiece, making them as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the taste buds!
Unlike traditional cut-out sugar cookie recipes that often demand hours of chilling and meticulous shaping, this recipe streamlines the process significantly. You can skip the waiting game entirely and dive straight into baking, which means more time enjoying the festivities and less time in the kitchen. These cookies truly embody the spirit of stress-free holiday baking, allowing you to create beautiful, delicious treats without the usual fuss.
Discovering the Magic of No-Chill Christmas Sugar Cookies
This remarkable Christmas Sugar Cookie recipe is built on a foundation of basic pantry ingredients, yet it delivers a final product that rivals any traditional sugar cookie, but with far less effort. The key innovation here is eliminating the need to chill the dough, roll it out, or meticulously cut it into various shapes. Instead, you simply scoop the soft dough into uniform balls, gently flatten each one with the bottom of a glass, and send them straight into the oven. This method is a game-changer for busy bakers who crave homemade goodness without the time commitment.
Once your cookies are baked to perfection and completely cooled, the frosting process is equally straightforward and quick. A simple dip of the cookie tops into the vibrant icing takes mere seconds. A final sprinkle of crushed mints adds not only a delightful pop of color but also a refreshing hint of peppermint, elevating these beautiful cookies to a truly festive delight. It’s a fuss-free approach that ensures stunning, flavorful results every time, making these the ideal festive cookies for any holiday occasion.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies
Crafting the perfect batch of homemade Christmas cookies starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create these irresistible treats:
For the Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies:
- Butter: I typically opt for salted butter as it helps to balance the sweetness, but unsalted butter works perfectly if that’s your preference. Just be sure to avoid margarine, as it can significantly alter the texture. The most crucial tip for butter is to ensure it is softened to room temperature, not melted. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating an airy base, whereas melted butter can lead to dense, greasy cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: As the star ingredient in “sugar cookies,” this provides the primary sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s tender texture and slight crispness around the edges. It also helps with browning.
- Vanilla Extract: The quality of your vanilla makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor. I highly recommend investing in a good quality vanilla extract or, for an even richer aroma, a Vanilla Bean Paste. The purer the vanilla, the more depth it adds to your cookies.
- Egg: Just one large egg is needed to act as a crucial binding agent, holding the dough together and ensuring the cookies cook evenly without crumbling. It also adds moisture and richness.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is my go-to flour for its versatility and consistent results. However, you can experiment with bread flour for a chewier cookie or pastry flour for an even more tender crumb. Always remember to measure flour by lightly spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly from the bag, to avoid adding too much.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are the essential leavening agents responsible for giving your cookies a light and airy texture. For optimal results, ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh and not expired. Old leavening agents can lead to flat, dense cookies.
- Salt: A small amount of salt is vital for enhancing all the other flavors in the cookies, balancing the sweetness, and adding a subtle depth.
For the Festive Sugar Cookie Icing:
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this ingredient is key to achieving that wonderfully smooth, thick frosting texture with a burst of sweetness. It dissolves easily, ensuring a creamy, lump-free glaze.
- Milk: Dairy milk works perfectly, but you have flexibility here. Feel free to use almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk as a dairy-free alternative. You can easily adjust the consistency of your frosting by adding a little more milk for a thinner glaze or a touch more powdered sugar for a thicker, more opaque finish.
- Vanilla Extract: As with the cookies, using a high-quality vanilla extract for the icing will significantly enhance its flavor profile. A good vanilla ties all the sweet components together.
- Food Coloring: To achieve those quintessential festive Christmas colors, you’ll need red and green food coloring. For truly vibrant, non-pastel shades, I highly recommend using gel or paste food coloring. Liquid food colorings tend to produce lighter, more muted hues, which might not give you the intense holiday look you’re aiming for.
- Crushed Mints: The recipe calls for approximately six round red mints, crushed, and six round green mints, crushed. For ease, miniature candy canes can be used as an alternative, as they tend to break down a little more easily. The goal is sizeable chunks, not a fine powder, so be mindful not to over-crush them. This provides a lovely texture and a refreshing burst of peppermint flavor.
How to Make These Delightful Christmas Sugar Cookies
MAKE THE COOKIES
Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking from the start.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ light texture. Next, add the egg and continue to beat for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring it’s fully incorporated and the mixture is well aerated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together and is uniform throughout. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Using a cookie scoop (a standard 1.5-2 tablespoon size works well), drop rounded scoops of dough onto a greased cookie sheet or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading.
Lightly spray the bottom of a drinking glass with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Use the bottom of the glass to gently press each cookie dough ball until it is about ½ inch thick. This flattening helps achieve an even bake and a consistent shape.
Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the centers are set and the edges are very lightly golden. The cookies may not look fully cooked on top, but overbaking will result in a dry, hard cookie. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them or proceeding with icing. Cooling is crucial for the icing to adhere properly.
MAKE THE ICING
To prepare your festive icing, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. The consistency is key here: if the icing appears too thick to dip, add a tiny bit more milk, a quarter teaspoon at a time, whisking well after each addition. Conversely, if the icing is too thin and runny, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired dipping consistency.
Once you have the perfect consistency, divide the icing equally into two small bowls. Add green food gel to one bowl and red food gel to the other. Mix each thoroughly until you achieve the desired vibrant Christmas color. The amount of food gel needed will vary depending on its concentration and brand, so start with a small amount and add more as necessary.
FROST THE COOKIES
Once your cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part: frosting! Carefully dip the top of each cooled cookie into the prepared icing, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Lift the cookie, allowing any excess icing to drip off back into the bowl. This helps create a smooth, clean finish.
Immediately after dipping, and before the icing has a chance to harden, sprinkle crushed red mints onto the cookies iced in red. Similarly, sprinkle crushed green mints onto the cookies iced in green. The crushed mints will adhere beautifully to the wet icing, adding a delightful crunch and extra holiday flair. Allow the iced cookies to set completely before stacking or storing them.
CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIES
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Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ⅔ cups granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
SUGAR COOKIE ICING INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ – 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Red and green gel food coloring
- 6 round red mints crushed
- 6 round green mints crushed
Instructions
MAKE THE COOKIES
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Preheat oven to 400ºF (200°C).
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In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth (about 2-3 minutes). Add egg and beat again for another 2-3 minutes until well combined and fluffy.
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Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until the dough is uniform throughout, being careful not to overmix.
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Using a cookie scoop, place rounded scoops of dough onto a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.
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Spray the bottom of a glass with cooking spray and gently press each cookie dough ball until it is about ½ inch thick.
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Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the centers are set and edges are just beginning to turn golden. Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before icing them.
MAKE THE ICING
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To prepare icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth. If icing is too thick, add a bit more milk (¼ tsp at a time). If icing is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar (1 tbsp at a time).
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Split the prepared icing into two small bowls. Add green food gel to one bowl and red food gel to the other. Mix well until your desired vibrant color is reached. The exact amount needed will depend on the type of food gel you are using.
FROST THE COOKIES
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Dip fully cooled cookies into the prepared icing, allowing any excess icing to drip off back into the bowl.
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Before the icing has a chance to harden, sprinkle crushed red mints onto the cookies iced in red.
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And sprinkle crushed green mints onto the cookies iced in green. Let the cookies set completely before storing.
Nutrition
Expert Tips for Baking the Best Christmas Sugar Cookies
Achieving perfectly soft, flavorful, and beautiful Christmas Sugar Cookies is simple with a few insider tips:
- Butter Temperature is Key: It cannot be stressed enough – do not melt the butter! Your butter needs to be softened to room temperature, allowing it to cream properly with the sugar and create an airy, tender cookie structure. Melted butter will result in greasy, flat cookies. If you’re planning ahead, simply leave the butter out on your counter for 1-2 hours. If, like me, your cookie cravings strike unexpectedly, soften it in the microwave in 5-second bursts, being extremely vigilant to remove it before it starts to melt. I find using the defrost setting on my microwave works wonders, softening the butter more evenly without the risk of liquefying it.
- Creaming for Perfection: Dedicate a little extra time to creaming the butter and sugars together. Beating them for a full 2-3 minutes (or even a bit longer) on medium speed will incorporate sufficient air, which is crucial for the consistent, light texture of your finished cookies. This step is vital for achieving that classic sugar cookie softness.
- Preheat Your Oven Properly: Always preheat your oven fully before placing cookies inside. A consistent, accurate oven temperature is key to ensuring your cookies bake evenly and rise correctly every single time, preventing uneven cooking or spreading.
- The Non-Stick Secret: To guarantee your cookies slide off the pan effortlessly and retain their perfect shape, always use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze and preserving the integrity of your delicious treats.
- Mind the Dough Thickness: When flattening your cookie dough balls, be sure not to press them too thin. Aim for a thickness of approximately ½ inch after pressing. If they are too thin, they might become crispy instead of remaining soft and chewy; too thick, and they may not cook through evenly.
- Avoid Overbaking: This is perhaps the most critical tip for soft sugar cookies. It’s better to slightly underbake than overbake. Your cookies might not look entirely “done” on top, but if the edges are just barely starting to turn golden or the bottoms show a hint of color, take them out immediately. They will continue to cook slightly from residual heat on the baking sheet, resulting in that perfect soft center.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Christmas Sugar Cookies
To ensure your Christmas Sugar Cookies remain fresh and delicious, proper storage is essential. Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days. Once frosted, they are best stored in a single layer in an airtight container to prevent the frosting from smudging. They will keep well at room temperature for 2-3 days, or you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, both baked cookies (frosted or unfrosted) and raw cookie dough freeze beautifully. Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place them in freezer-safe bags. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting or serving.
Fun Variations and Decoration Ideas
While the red and green mints add a classic holiday touch, don’t hesitate to get creative with your festive cookie decorations! Instead of mints, you could use:
- Holiday Sprinkles: A mix of red, green, and white sprinkles, nonpareils, or sanding sugar can add sparkle and texture.
- Edible Glitter: For an extra touch of magic, a dusting of edible glitter makes them truly enchanting.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A fine drizzle of melted white chocolate or dark chocolate over the colored icing can be elegant and delicious.
- Chopped Nuts: Finely chopped pistachios or pecans can add a gourmet touch and a nutty flavor.
- Citrus Zest: Incorporate a bit of orange or lemon zest into the cookie dough or the icing for a bright, refreshing flavor profile.
For flavor variations, consider adding a hint of almond extract alongside the vanilla in the cookie dough, or a touch of peppermint extract to the white frosting before coloring for an intensified minty experience. The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing these delightful holiday sugar cookies!
MORE CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES THAT WE LOVE:
Looking for more holiday baking inspiration? Explore some of our other favorite festive cookie recipes that are perfect for sharing the joy this season:
- Gingerbread House Cookies
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Chocolate Orange Slice Cookies
- Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Linzer Cookies
- Pumpkin Gingersnap Cookies
- Orange Cardamom Cookies
- Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Iced Gnome Cookies
- Frosted Eggnog Cookies
- Frosted Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
- Mini Gingerbread Cookies
- Danish Butter Cookies
- Reindeer Cookie Cake
- Santa’s Whiskers Cookies
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to create lasting holiday memories. Their soft texture, combined with the cheerful frosting and a refreshing hint of mint, makes them truly irresistible. This easy holiday sugar cookie recipe is guaranteed to be a hit, whether you’re serving them at a festive gathering or arranging them beautifully on goody platters for friends and family.
Annual family picture day is undoubtedly not my favorite day of the year. It’s often filled with a cascade of stresses: finding the perfect photographer, scouting out an ideal location, hoping for good weather and the right amount of leaves on the trees, painstakingly coordinating everyone’s outfits, and then, amidst all that, trying to ensure every child is clean, happy, and ready when it’s finally time to snap the photos. With five energetic kids, this entire process is certainly not for the faint of heart. Every year, I approach it with a sense of dread, and sometimes I even consider skipping it altogether. Yet, every single time I receive the finished pictures, I am reminded of precisely why I put myself through it. These photographs are absolutely priceless, and I cherish each and every one of them, even the candid, imperfect shots that capture real life.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I received our latest batch of family photos, and I am utterly obsessed with dozens of them. Take this one, for example. It perfectly encapsulates the adorable spirit of this little one. Isn’t she just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? These moments, frozen in time, are a beautiful reminder of the joy and chaos that make our family unique, much like the cherished traditions of holiday baking that bring warmth and sweetness to our home.
