Every December, my kids and I have a tradition of making sugar cookies.
Some we give away as gifts but most we keep for ourselves.
Over the years I’ve tried different cookie recipes, but they tended to fall a bit flat.
Until I found this recipe that makes them super soft and fluffy!
And paired with a delicious sugar cookie icing, they are irresistable.
They don’t always turn out picture perfect, but the kids have a blast decorating them and in the end they are still delicious.
So if you’re ready to start a new holiday tradition, or just want a fluffy and cozy sugar cookie recipe for Christmas, here you go:
What You Need to Make Fluffy Sugar Cookies
- Flour – the base that gives your cookies their soft, fluffy structure.
- Baking soda – helps the dough puff up just enough without spreading too much.
- Baking powder – adds a little extra lift for that perfect, pillowy bite.
- Salt – brings out the buttery sweetness so the flavor really pops.
- Butter – makes everything rich and melt-in-your-mouth good (softened butter works best).
- Sugar – gives that classic sweetness and a light, golden finish.
- Egg – holds the dough together and adds a little chew.
- Vanilla extract – brings the cozy, homemade flavor we all love.
How to Make Fluffy Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a couple of baking sheets. Line them with parchment paper so nothing sticks later. It’s a little thing, but it makes cleanup way easier.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Just enough to mix everything evenly.
Step 3: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is where the magic starts, so give it a good mix.
Step 4: Add in your egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if you’re using it). Keep mixing until it’s all smooth and smells amazing.
Step 5: Slowly add your dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix just until everything comes together into a soft dough.
Step 6: Roll the dough into balls or use cookie cutters if you’re feeling festive. A little flour on the counter keeps things from sticking.
Step 7: Place the cookies on your lined baking sheets with a bit of space between them. They’ll puff up as they bake.
Step 8: Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges start to look a little golden. Don’t wait for full browning.
Step 9: Let them cool for a few minutes on the pan before moving them to a wire rack. They’ll firm up a bit as they cool, but still stay soft and fluffy inside.
Fluffy Sugar Cookie Recipe
These sugar cookies are perfectly soft, fluffy, and hold their shape. They bake up light and buttery every time!
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Roll dough into balls or cut out shapes on a floured surface.
- Place on prepared baking sheets, leaving space between cookies.
- Bake 8–10 minutes or until edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Icing
If you want that perfect cookie finish, shiny and smooth but still soft to bite into, this is the one.
My sugar cookie icing comes together in just a few minutes and works for piping, spreading, or dipping.
Mix powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and your favorite extract (I usually go for vanilla or almond).
Add the milk slowly until you reach the right consistency, then divide and add food coloring if you want to decorate.
For the full recipe and step-by-step instructions, check out my post Best Sugar Cookie Icing for Decorating.
Sugar Cookie Ideas for Christmas
Once your cookies are baked and iced, the fun part begins!
You can really creative with different shapes and designs like these:
Classic Christmas Trees
Cut out tree shapes and spread green icing with a small knife or spoon.
Add a few round sprinkles as ornaments and one yellow sprinkle on top for the star.
Snowflake Cookies
Use a snowflake cookie cutter to make the shape and cover each cookie in white icing.
Before it sets, drag a toothpick through a few lines from the center out to make a snowflake look.
Or you can use a piping bag for a more detailed design.
Candy Cane Cookies
Cut candy cane shapes and use red and white icing to make the stripes.
They look fancy but take minutes.
Ornament Cookies
Make simple round cookies and cover them with bright icing colors.
I really let the kids go crazy with these ones and we end up with some really interesting designs.
Snowman Faces
Super easy!
Use round cookies and coat them with white icing. Use black and orange icing to make the face.
Holly Wreath Cookies
Use round or donut-shaped cutters and ice them white.
Then pipe on some green and red icing to make the holly and berries.
It’s easier than it looks!
Delicious & Adorable Christmas Sugar Cookies
Christmas sugar cookies don’t have to be complicated to look and taste amazing.
With a few simple shapes, colorful icing, and some sprinkles, you can create a tray that looks straight out of a bakery.
And the best part is they don’t have to look perfect! It’s all about having fun making them.
