If you dream of pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that taste just like Christmas morning, you’ve found the perfect recipe. These Soft Christmas Cookies are buttery, tender, lightly sweetened, and topped with festive icing and sprinkles. They stay soft for days, bake evenly, and are incredibly easy to customize with holiday colors and flavors.

Whether you’re preparing cookie boxes, hosting a holiday party, or baking with family, this recipe guarantees soft, flavorful cookies that never dry out. Let’s dive into the best Christmas cookie recipe you’ll bake this season!

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Why These Are the Best Soft Christmas Cookies

✔ Extremely soft and fluffy

Thanks to the combination of butter, sugar, eggs, and a touch of sour cream, these cookies remain soft long after baking.

✔ Perfect for decorating

They hold their shape while baking yet stay tender, making them ideal for icing or adding sprinkles.

✔ Festive flavor

A hint of vanilla and almond extract gives them a classic Christmas cookie taste.

✔ Make-ahead friendly

The dough can chill overnight, and the baked cookies freeze beautifully.

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Ingredients You Need

These simple pantry staples come together to create the softest Christmas cookies ever:

For the Soft Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional but highly recommended)
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Christmas sprinkles

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. This adds air for a soft texture.

2. Add Eggs, Sour Cream & Extracts

Mix in the eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and almond extract. The batter will be creamy and thick.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together and is soft but not sticky.

5. Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours (or overnight). Chilling helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookies fluffy.

6. Shape and Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Scoop tablespoon-sized portions or roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes.
• Place on a lined baking sheet and bake 8–10 minutes, just until edges are set.
• Do NOT overbake—the cookies should look pale and soft.

7. Cool and Frost

Let cookies cool completely before frosting. Top with sprinkles for a festive finish.

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Tips for Extra Soft Christmas Cookies

⭐ Don’t overmix

Too much mixing makes cookies tough. Stop when the dough is just combined.

⭐ Keep the dough chilled

Cold dough = fluffy cookies that hold their shape.

⭐ Don’t brown the bottoms

Remove cookies before they turn golden. They continue to set as they cool.

⭐ Use room-temperature butter

Softened (not melted) butter helps create that velvety texture.

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Flavor Variations

Make your Christmas cookie tray even more festive with these fun variations:

• Peppermint Soft Cookies

Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the frosting.

• Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies

Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.

• Lemon Frosted Cookies

Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the dough and lemon juice to the frosting.

• Hot Cocoa Cookies

Mix 1 tablespoon cocoa powder into the dough and top with mini marshmallows.

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How to Store & Freeze

Store at room temperature:

Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They stay soft!

Refrigerate (optional):

Store up to 7 days.

Freeze:

Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months.
Freeze frosting separately or decorate after thawing.

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Full Printable Recipe: Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Food coloring & sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
2. Add eggs, sour cream, and extracts.
3. Whisk together dry ingredients.
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures.
5. Chill dough for 2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Roll or scoop dough and bake 8–10 minutes.
8. Cool completely before frosting.
9. Decorate with sprinkles and enjoy!

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Final Thoughts

These Soft Christmas Cookies are everything you love about holiday baking—sweet, festive, comforting, and beautifully soft. They’re perfect for gifting, decorating, or enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa during the holiday season.

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