The Easiest Butter Cookies (Perfect for Christmas!)

Looking for easy Christmas cookie recipes with few ingredients?  These butter cookies are the perfect start—simple to make, yet full of holiday flavor.

Butter cookies are a classic holiday treat that never goes out of style. With their buttery richness, crisp edges, and soft centers, these delicious cookies are everything you need to spread the holiday spirit. Whether you’re baking with the kids or prepping for a Christmas party, this easy cookie recipe is a must-have for your holiday baking line-up.

Why These Butter Cookies Are a Must for Your Holiday Baking

If you’re looking for the easiest Christmas cookies to add to your festive spread, these butter cookies are the perfect choice. Unlike traditional Christmas sugar cookies that often require messy, time-consuming decorating with royal icing, this recipe keeps things simple! With their light and tender texture, these cookies are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth or those looking for a treat that requires little effort.

This easy holiday cookie recipe is versatile enough to satisfy every cookie lover in your family. Sprinkle them with colored sugar for a festive touch, or let the kids get creative with mini M&Ms or crushed candy canes for decoration. If you’re planning a baking day, these cookies pair well with chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and even gingersnap cookies for an interesting holiday cookie platter.

Whether you’re prepping for a holiday party or just want a perfect snack for cozy evenings, these butter cookies are sure to become one of your favorite recipes. They’re the perfect way to spread some Christmas cheer without spending hours in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love These Butter Cookies

Ready to simplify your holiday baking? Dive into these easy Christmas cookie recipes with few ingredients and make your celebrations stress-free and delicious!

• Simple Ingredients: Just a few pantry staples—nothing fancy here!
• Versatile: Use any cookie cutter to make festive shapes.
• Perfect Texture: A balance of soft centers and crisp edges.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Store the dough in plastic wrap for up to 3 days or freeze it for later.

Tools You’ll Need

Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to bake these homemade cookies:

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer (optional but helpful!)
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Parchment-lined baking sheet
• Pastry brush
• Wire rack

Ingredients

These cookies are made with basic ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk (for brushing)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
• Optional: Colored sugar for decoration

Step-by-Step Instructions

When the holiday season gets busy, having a few go-to easy Christmas cookie recipes with few ingredients can save time without sacrificing taste.

Making these cookies is as easy as 1-2-3. Here’s how:

1. Make the Dough

Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another.

• In a large bowl, whisk the flour and salt.
• In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla or almond extract, beating until fully combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until the dough comes together.

2. Roll and Cut

Now for the fun part!

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick.
• Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Decorate and Bake

It’s time to add a little holiday magic.

• Lightly beat the egg yolk in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to apply it to the tops of the cookies.
• Sprinkle with colored sugar for a festive touch.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Time-Saving Tip for Busy Bakers

Streamline your holiday baking by preparing butter cookie dough in advance.

• After mixing, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. 
• Use rolling strips to roll the dough to your desired thickness.
• Place the rolled dough on a baking sheet and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to bake, simply cut out your cookie shapes and proceed as usual. This method not only saves time but also ensures consistent thickness for even baking. Plus, it minimizes cleanup, allowing you to enjoy more of the festive season.

Baking Tips

• Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven is preheated to 375°F (190°C) before baking. These cookies are baked at a higher temperature to achieve the desired texture.
• Baking Time: Monitor the cookies closely; they should be removed from the oven when the edges are lightly golden. Baking times can vary depending on the size of your cookie cutter. 

 Storage and Shelf Life

• Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• Freezing: For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Decoration Ideas

• Simple Fork Design: Use the tines of a fork to create a cross pattern and brush with egg wash bevore baking.
• Colored Sugar: Sprinkle colored sugar on the cookies before baking for a festive appearance without additional frosting.
• Chocolate Drizzle: After cooling, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the cookies for added flavor and visual appeal.

Tips for Successful Christmas Cookie Baking

Adding these butter cookies to your Christmas cookie box brings adds a rich flavor and festive look. Here are some tips for success:

• Mixing and Roll Ahead: Prepare the dough in advance. After mixing, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: To keep these cookies fresh while preparing your other cookie assortments, you can freeze them. Simply place cookies in on a parchment lined tray in a single layer. Once frozen, consolidate them into a freezer save zip lock bag. 
• Packing Cookies in Tins Without Breaking: Here’s how to make sure your cookies remain intact during storage or gifting:
  • Layering: Place a layer of crumpled parchment paper or bubble wrap at the bottom of the tin. Arrange cookies in a single layer, then add another layer of parchment or bubble wrap before adding the next layer of cookies.
  • Separating Flavors: Keep different flavored cookies in separate tins or compartments to prevent flavor mixing.
  • Filling Gaps: Use crumpled parchment paper to fill any empty spaces, minimizing movement and reducing the risk of breakage.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the process of baking and sharing butter cookies throughout the holiday season.

Perfect for Holiday Baking

These butter cookies are a joy to make and even more fun to eat. With their festive shapes, hint of vanilla extract (or almond, if you’re feeling adventurous), and perfectly balanced texture, they’re a hit with both kids and adults. Add them to your next cookie plate or make them the centerpiece of your Christmas celebrations—they’re guaranteed to bring smiles!

Classic Butter Cookies Recipe

No ratings yet

Print Save Saved! Pin Rate

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• ▢ ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk for brushing
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract optional

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a second medium bowl, use a hand mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer to beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 4–5 minutes).

Combine Wet Ingredients

• Add the egg and the vanilla or almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture. Beat until fully combined.

Incorporate Dry Ingredients

• Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed until the dough just comes together.

Divide and Roll Dough

• Divide the dough in half. On a floured surface, roll out each half evenly to about ¼-inch thickness.

Cut and Arrange

• Use a 2-inch cookie cutter to cut out rounds. Arrange the cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Decorate

• In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with 2 teaspoons of water. Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash. Optionally, sprinkle with colorful sugar for decoration.

Bake

• Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden.

Cool and Serve

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Unbaked dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
Decoration Ideas: Try drizzling with melted chocolate or using a mix of colored sugars for extra holiday cheer.

Enjoy these buttery, crisp cookies as part of your favorite easy Christmas cookie recipes with few ingredients! Perfect for holiday gatherings or as gifts.