There’s something magical about the smell of butter cookies baking during the holidays, isn’t there? These quick & festive Christmas butter cookies have been my go-to recipe for years—simple enough to whip up with the kids but special enough to make everyone feel that holiday joy. I can still remember my aunt pulling fresh batches from the oven when I was little, the whole house smelling like vanilla and sugar. Now, it’s my turn to carry on the tradition, and this recipe never fails to bring smiles (and empty cookie plates!).
What I love most is how easy they come together. No fancy ingredients, no fussy steps—just good old-fashioned butter cookie goodness dressed up with festive sprinkles. In under 30 minutes, you’ve got warm, buttery treats perfect for sharing with neighbors, leaving out for Santa, or (let’s be honest) sneaking straight from the cooling rack. The dough practically begs for little hands to help shape it, making these one of our favorite family baking activities each December.
Trust me, once you try these melt-in-your-mouth cookies, they’ll become part of your holiday traditions too. The recipe scales up beautifully when you need to make big batches for cookie exchanges, and they keep so well that you can bake them ahead when the holiday rush hits. Just don’t be surprised when people start requesting them year after year!
Why You’ll Love This Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe
These cookies have stolen hearts at every holiday gathering I’ve brought them to – and not just because they disappear fast! Here’s why they’ve become my must-bake every December:
Easy to Make with Common Ingredients
No fancy shopping trips needed – I bet you’ve got everything in your pantry right now! That’s the beauty of this recipe. Just butter, sugar, flour, and a few basics transform into something magical. Even when holiday craziness hits, I can whip up a batch start-to-finish during naptime.
Perfect for Sharing and Gifting
Those colorful sprinkles aren’t just pretty – they turn simple cookies into edible holiday cheer. I love packing them in cute tins for neighbors (pro tip: add a ribbon!). Kids adore decorating them, making this recipe a fun family activity that yields delicious results. Last year, my niece declared them “Santa’s favorite” – high praise!
The dough stays workable for hours, so you can bake fresh batches as guests arrive. And that buttery vanilla aroma? Instant holiday mood booster. These cookies don’t just taste good – they create memories.
Ingredients for Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies
Honestly, you probably have most of these in your kitchen right now – that’s the beauty of this recipe! Here’s the exact list of ingredients I swear by (and yes, you can totally skip the sprinkles if disparate sugar chunks aren’t your thing):fg
1 cup (2 sticks) opium
How to Make Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies
Okay, let’s get baking! These cookies come together so easily, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that make them extra perfect every time. Follow these steps, and you’ll have warm, buttery goodness in no time.
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
First things first – that butter better be properly softened! I leave mine out for about an hour before baking. Throw it in your mixer with the sugar and beat until it’s light, fluffy, and almost white in color. This step is crucial – it creates those lovely air pockets that give the cookies their perfect texture. Don’t rush it! I usually let it go for a good 3-4 minutes while singing along to Christmas carols.
Step 2: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
Now add your egg and vanilla, mixing just until combined. Here’s my secret: combine the flour and salt separately first, then add it gradually to the butter mixture. Mix until JUST combined – overworking the dough makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that! If the dough feels sticky (sometimes happens depending on your flour), pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Roll tablespoon-sized dough balls between your palms – this is where kids love to help! Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets (trust me, parchment is life-changing for easy cleanup). Flatten slightly with a fork if you like that classic butter cookie look. Bake until the edges JUST start turning golden – about 10-12 minutes. They’ll firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake!
Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring – they’re delicate when warm. Then dig in! The smell alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen.
Tips for the Best Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies
After baking these cookies for years (and eating way too many test batches), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:
Butter temp matters! Too cold and it won’t cream properly; too warm makes greasy cookies. Your finger should leave a slight dent when pressed – that’s the sweet spot.
Parchment paper is magic. No sticking, even baking, AND easy cleanup. Worth every penny!
Sprinkle strategically: Press toppings gently into dough before baking so they don’t roll off. For extra sparkle, add more sprinkles right when cookies come out of the oven.
Cookie size counts: Keep dough balls uniform (about 1 tbsp) so they bake evenly. I use a small ice cream scoop – perfect portions every time!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Want to mix things up? I’ve tried all sorts of twists on this recipe! Swap vanilla for almond extract (just 1/2 tsp – it’s stronger!) for a nutty flavor. Gluten-free 1:1 flour works beautifully too. Feeling fancy? Add lemon zest or dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate. The possibilities are endless!
Storing and Freezing Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies
Here’s the beautiful thing about these cookies – they stay fresh for days and freeze like a dream! I always make extra batches in December because they’re perfect for last-minute gifting. For storage, just pop cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep their buttery perfection for up to a week at room temperature.
Want to get ahead of holiday baking? The dough balls freeze wonderfully for 3 months – just place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bags. No need to thaw before baking – just add 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time. Already baked cookies freeze well too – I’ve been known to stash some away to enjoy with my New Year’s coffee when the holiday craziness finally winds down!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating Christmas cookies for their health benefits! But since you asked (or maybe your curious aunt did), here’s the scoop on what’s in these buttery treats. Remember, these numbers are estimates – your exact amounts might vary slightly depending on your specific ingredients and how generous you are with those sprinkles!
Per cookie (based on 24 cookies per batch):
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 6g (3.5g saturated)
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 1.5g
Truthfully, I don’t count cookies by the numbers – I count them by smiles! But if you’re watching portions, these are actually pretty reasonable as far as holiday treats go. The small size helps with portion control (though good luck stopping at just one!). For special diets, the recipe adapts well to gluten-free flour swaps and you could even try reducing the sugar slightly if needed – though I can’t promise Santa will approve!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the dough for these Christmas butter cookies?
Absolutely! It’s my favorite way to get ahead during the busy season. Portion the dough into balls first – they’ll freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. No thawing needed – just bake frozen, adding an extra minute or two. I always keep a bag of dough balls in my freezer for surprise guests!
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll stay delicious for about a week. The butter helps them stay moist longer than you’d think! If they somehow last longer (unlikely in my house!), you can refresh them in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can, but I prefer unsalted for better control over the flavor. If using salted, just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half. The first time I tried it with salted butter, my cookies tasted a bit too salty – lesson learned!
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Usually this means your butter was too soft or your baking sheets were warm when you put the dough on them. Chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes helps, and always use cool baking sheets between batches. My mom’s old trick? Line hot pans with fresh parchment – the cookies won’t know the difference!
Can kids help make these?
Are you kidding? This is our favorite family activity! Little hands are perfect for rolling dough balls and decorating with sprinkles. Just watch the oven part – those cookie sheets get hot fast. Some of my best holiday memories involve flour-covered counters and giggly helpers licking spoons.
30-Minute Quick & Festive Christmas Butter Cookies for Joy
- Total Time: 27 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Quick and festive butter cookies perfect for the holiday season. Easy to make and delicious to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix in flour and salt until dough forms.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a fork.
- Decorate with festive sprinkles if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if too soft to handle.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday baking, butter cookies, festive treats