Nothing brings the magic of the holidays to life quite like a batch of soft, bakery-style Christmas cookies fresh from the oven. These cookies are thick, tender, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth soft—exactly what everyone dreams of during the festive season. Whether you’re baking for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or cozy family nights, this Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe is guaranteed to become a treasured tradition.
Unlike hard or crumbly cookies, these stay perfectly soft for days, making them ideal for gifting, storing, and sharing. Decorate them with frosting and sprinkles, or enjoy them plain—the flavor and texture are incredible either way.
⭐ Why These Are the Best Soft Christmas Cookies
- Ultra-soft and fluffy texture
- Perfect for decorating
- No chilling required
- Stay soft for days
- Kid-friendly and party-approved
- Perfect for gifting, cookie swaps & holidays
- Easy ingredients you already have
These cookies deliver everything you want from a classic Christmas cookie—sweet, festive, soft, and irresistible.
🎄 What Makes Christmas Cookies Soft?
The secret to soft cookies comes from:
- Butter + sugar balance
- Eggs for moisture
- Cornstarch for tenderness
- Baking powder instead of too much baking soda
- Not overbaking
This combination creates thick cookies with a tender crumb and soft center that never dries out.
🛒 Ingredients for the Best Soft Christmas Cookies
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Decorating (Optional)
- Vanilla buttercream frosting
- Food coloring
- Christmas sprinkles
- Sanding sugar
👩🍳 How to Make the Best Soft Christmas Cookies (Step-by-Step)
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt.
5. Mix the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
6. Scoop & Shape
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Place on the baking sheet and gently press down slightly.
7. Bake
Bake for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges are set. The centers should look slightly underbaked for maximum softness.
8. Cool & Decorate
Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting and decorating.
🎨 Decorating Ideas for Christmas Cookies
- Classic white frosting with red & green sprinkles
- Pastel colored buttercream
- Snowflake designs
- Christmas trees, stars, and stockings
- Candy cane sprinkles
- Edible glitter for sparkle
Decorating turns these cookies into festive edible art for the holidays.
🍪 Delicious Variations
1. Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
Top with thick vanilla buttercream and holiday sprinkles.
2. Chocolate Soft Christmas Cookies
Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dough.
3. Peppermint Christmas Cookies
Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
4. Lemon Soft Cookies
Add lemon zest for a bright holiday flavor.
5. Sprinkle Dough Cookies
Mix Christmas sprinkles directly into the dough.
✅ Pro Tips for Super Soft Cookies
- Do not overbake – cookies firm up as they cool
- Use room temperature butter
- Cornstarch makes the cookies extra tender
- Measure flour correctly (spoon and level)
- Store properly to keep them soft for days
❄️ Storage, Make-Ahead & Freezing
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 5–7 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Make-Ahead Dough
Cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking.
❤️ Why This Recipe Is Always a Holiday Favorite
These soft Christmas cookies are:
- Perfectly sweet without being overpowering
- Soft and fluffy instead of hard and crumbly
- Easy for kids to help decorate
- Ideal for gifting and parties
- Timeless, nostalgic, and festive
They taste just like the beloved bakery-style holiday cookies everyone loves.
✅ Final Thoughts
The Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe gives you thick, plush, buttery cookies that stay soft for days and look beautiful on any holiday dessert table. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing gifts, or filling cookie trays for guests, these cookies bring joy, warmth, and holiday magic in every bite.
If you’re searching for a fail-proof soft Christmas cookie recipe, this is the one you’ll come back to year after year.
Print
Best Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe – Perfectly Pillowy, Sweet, and Festive
Ingredients
• ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour (or 2 cups almond flour + ¼ cup coconut flour for keto)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cream of tartar (secret to softness!)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp milk or cream (optional—boosts tenderness)
For rolling:
• ¼ cup granulated sugar + 1–2 tsp festive sprinkles (mix in a shallow bowl)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (~3 mins). Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in milk if dough feels dry (it should be soft but not sticky).
- Scoop 1½-tbsp balls. Roll in sugar-sprinkle mix; place 2″ apart on sheets.
- Bake 9–10 mins—edges just set, centers still soft (they’ll firm as they cool).
- Cool on sheet 5 mins, then transfer to a rack. Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep soft!
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 10 mins, Total Time: 25 mins, Yield: 24 cookies
Calories: 110, Net Carbs: 15g, Fats: 5g, Protein: 1g
✅ Keto version: ~3g net carbs/cookie — soft, spiced, and holiday-ready.