1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft Christmas Cookies Favorite

Featured in Sweet treats that make you happy.

Say hello to perfectly soft Christmas cookies! They're flavored with almond and vanilla for that nostalgic holiday taste, and cream cheese keeps them tender. This dough is easy to whip up, holds its shape in the oven, and makes decorating a breeze. Add sprinkles, icing, or sugar to make these festive treats look just as delightful as they taste.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:36:27 GMT
An assortment of fun and colorful Christmas cookies shaped like trees, stars, and snowflakes on a festive tray. Pin it
An assortment of fun and colorful Christmas cookies shaped like trees, stars, and snowflakes on a festive tray. | tastyhush.com

Nothing says the holidays like these crowd-pleasing Soft Christmas Cookies. They're sweet with a pillowy bite and so much fun to make with your favorite people. You won't need anything fancy, just simple stuff from your pantry. Great for decorating, sharing, or just munching. Check out what you'll need to whip up a batch!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: This gives the cookies that cozy homemade vibe and a nice flavor boost.
  • 2 large eggs: Eggs help everything stick together and keep the cookies moist.
  • 1 cup margarine (softened): Makes the cookies rich and gives them a soft, chewy texture.
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar: Brings the sweetness and keeps them soft.
  • ½ teaspoon salt: Makes all the flavors pop.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies puff a little so they're light.
  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The main ingredient that gives the dough its body and softness.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 8:
Pop the cookies in the oven for about 6 to 8 minutes, just until the edges turn a light golden color. Let them hang out on the baking sheet a bit before you move them to a cooling rack.
Step 7:
Roll the dough out on a floured counter until it's about a quarter-inch thick. Cut into shapes with your favorite cutters and get them onto your greased baking pans.
Step 6:
Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease two cookie sheets so you're ready to go when the dough's chilled.
Step 5:
Wrap up the dough with plastic and chill it in the fridge for a couple hours so it's easier to work with and keeps its shape.
Step 4:
Add the flour mixture bit by bit to the wet ingredients, stirring just enough to mix. Try not to overwork the dough or the cookies won't be as soft.
Step 3:
Mix in one egg, then toss in the other with the vanilla, and keep mixing until everything's blended.
Step 2:
Cream together the white sugar and softened margarine in a big bowl with an electric mixer until it's fluffy and silky.
Step 1:
Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and sift them together. Put it aside for now.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Dive in right away or jazz them up with sprinkles and icing for extra holiday cheer.
  • Perfect for cookie swaps, as a party treat, or packed in a cute tin as a sweet DIY gift.
  • Keep these soft cookies in a sealed container on your counter and they'll stay good for up to seven days.
  • Want to save some for later? Let the cookies cool, pop them into a freezer bag, and freeze for up to three months. Bring them back to room temp before eating or decorating.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • According to Martha Stewart, royal icing is a great choice if you want to decorate them like a pro.
  • Ina Garten's trick is to sprinkle some sanding sugar on top before baking so your cookies sparkle in the light.

VARIATIONS

  • Trade regular flour for a gluten-free blend if you need something wheat-free.
  • Spice things up with cinnamon or nutmeg for a flavor twist that screams holidays.
  • Try out funky cookie cutter shapes to fit any party or season—they're super versatile!

Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft, buttery, and easy to decorate, these holiday classics bring the festive vibe to every gathering. A family favorite!

Prep Time
140 Minutes
Cook Time
8 Minutes
Total Time
148 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup softened margarine.
02 1 teaspoon baking powder.
03 ½ teaspoon salt.
04 1 ½ cups granulated sugar.
05 3 ¾ cups plain flour.
06 2 large eggs.
07 2 teaspoons vanilla essence.

Instructions

Step 01

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the salt, baking powder, and flour thoroughly, then put it aside.

Step 02

Use an electric mixer to combine the margarine and sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Wrap the mixture and pop it in the fridge for 2 hours.

Step 03

First, mix in one egg to the margarine blend. Then, add the other egg along with the vanilla and mix again.

Step 04

Fold the dry flour mix into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just mixed.

Step 05

Wrap this dough up and return it to chill in the fridge for another couple of hours.

Step 06

Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C) and grease up two cookie trays.

Step 07

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a quarter-inch thickness. Use cutters to make shapes and place them neatly on your prepared trays.

Step 08

Bake a batch for 6 to 8 minutes until the edges turn golden. Leave them on the sheets to cool a bit, then move them to a rack to finish cooling fully.

Notes

  1. These soft holiday cookies are great for decorating and sharing this festive season.
  2. Letting the dough chill is super important to help the cookies stay shaped while baking.

Tools You'll Need

  • A sturdy electric mixer.
  • A mixing bowl (medium).
  • Flat cookie trays.
  • Cooling rack.
  • Flour sifter.
  • Rolling pin.
  • Cookie cutters in different styles.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 2 g