Name: Best Soft Christmas Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 155 min
Ingredients: 3.75 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 1.5 cups white sugar; 1 cup margarine, softened; 2 eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

15 mins

Additional Time:

2 hrs

Total Time:

2 hrs 35 mins

Servings:

48

Yield:

4 dozen

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Everyone needs a good Christmas cookie recipe in their back pocket. In need of a great one? We've got you covered. These soft Christmas cookies will quickly become a holiday tradition in your family.

Christmas Cookies Ingredients

These are the basic ingredients you'll need to make this soft Christmas cookie recipe:

Flour: These classic Christmas cookies start with all-purpose flour.
Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, which means it makes the cookies rise.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, but it won't make the cookies taste salty.
Sugar and margarine: White sugar is beaten with margarine. You can use butter if you prefer.
Eggs: Two eggs lend moisture and bind the dough together.
Vanilla: Two teaspoons of vanilla extract is the perfect finishing touch.

Soft Christmas Cookies in gingerbread man, candy cane, and tree shapes on a white plate — MDarling

How to Make Christmas Cookies

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these Christmas cookies:

Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl.
Beat the margarine and sugar in another bowl, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Chill the dough in the fridge.
Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes.
Bake the cookies on prepared baking sheets until the edges are golden.

What Makes These Christmas Cookies So Soft?

There are a few reasons this recipe results in pillowy soft Christmas cookies:

A teaspoon of baking powder helps the cookies rise during baking, which creates a fluffy texture.
This recipe calls for margarine instead of butter because margarine doesn't spread as much during baking.
Two whole eggs add tons of moisture, keeping the cookies nice and tender.

christmas cookies shaped like snowmen, ornaments, stars, stockings — nicolen

How to Store Soft Christmas Cookies

The best way to store these Christmas cookies depends on whether or not you've decorated them. Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Cookies frosted with buttercream can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, but make sure you add wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.

If you used cream cheese frosting, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Soft Christmas Cookies?

Yes, but it's best to freeze the cookie dough before baking. Shape the dough into one or two flat disks. Wrap in one layer of storage wrap and one layer of foil. Freeze flat for up to three months and thaw in the fridge. Roll, cut, and bake the thawed dough according to the recipe.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Perfect for cut-out cookies," according to Erin Vigeant. "Easy to roll and kept their shape without expanding. This will be my new go-to recipe."

"These cookies turned out perfectly," says Lauren Kristie Freidly. "They're great on their own, with sprinkles, or with icing. Very versatile!! I will be using this recipe whenever I make sugar cookies in the future!!"

"I made the recipe as is and it was delicious," says Stephanie Lynn. "The cookies held shape, tasted great, and were perfect for decorating. I baked them until they were just browning on the edges at the bottom. Definitely making these again next year."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 cup margarine, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Gather all ingredients.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Beat sugar and margarine in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Wrap dough; chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Beat first egg into butter mixture. Beat second egg into mixture along with vanilla extract; add flour mixture and stir until dough is just combined.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Wrap dough; chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two cookie sheets.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Roll out dough on a clean floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters; arrange them on the prepared cookie sheets. Gather scraps and repeat this step.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI
Serve and enjoy!

ALLRECIPES / BAHAREH NAITI

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

97	Calories
4g	Fat
14g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 48
Calories 97
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 1g	4%
Cholesterol 8mg	3%
Sodium 81mg	4%
Total Carbohydrate 14g	5%
Dietary Fiber 0g	1%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 1g	3%
Calcium 10mg	1%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 16mg	0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.