Buttercream Christmas Cookies: 5 Tips for Festive Fun

Name: Buttercream Christmas Cookies: 5 Tips for Festive Fun
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 3 cups powdered sugar; 3 tablespoons milk; Food coloring (optional)

November 18, 2025

By:

Julia marin

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Oh, the joy of making buttercream Christmas cookies! There’s something truly magical about baking during the holidays, isn’t there? The scent of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house instantly brings back memories of my childhood, when I used to bake with my grandmother. This recipe stands out because it’s not just about the cookies; it’s about the fun of decorating them with colorful icing and sprinkles. Trust me, when you see those cookies come out of the oven, golden and fluffy, your heart will be filled with the spirit of the season. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get baking!

Ingredients for Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delightful buttercream Christmas cookies:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: This gives the cookies structure and that perfect chewy texture.
1 teaspoon baking soda: This is our little magic ingredient that helps the cookies rise.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Make sure it’s nice and soft so it creams beautifully with the sugar.
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: This adds the sweetness and helps create that lovely, tender crumb.
1 large egg: This will bind everything together and add richness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that classic, warm flavor we all love in cookies.
1 teaspoon almond extract: A little goes a long way in giving these cookies a festive twist!
3 cups powdered sugar: This is for the icing, making it sweet and easy to spread.
3 tablespoons milk: Just enough to create a smooth icing consistency.
Food coloring (optional): Get creative! Use this to add some festive flair to your decorations.

How to Prepare Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Preheat and Prepare

First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because you want your cookies to bake evenly and come out just right! While the oven is heating, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This not only makes cleanup a breeze but also helps prevent those delightful cookies from sticking. Trust me, nobody wants to wrestle with a cookie sheet!

Mixing Ingredients

Now, let’s get mixing! In a medium bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent and the salt throughout the flour. In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is my favorite part! You want to beat it for about 2-3 minutes until it’s pale and airy. This is where the magic happens, so don’t rush it!

Combining Mixtures

Next, it’s time to add in the egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of almond extract to that buttery mixture. Mix it all together until well combined. Now, gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. I like to do this in three batches to avoid a flour explosion! Mix just until everything is combined; you don’t want to overmix, but you want to see a nice, slightly sticky dough forming. It should hold together but still be soft and pliable.

Shaping and Baking the Cookies

Now comes the fun part! Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter (I usually just use my hands for this). Place them on your prepared baking sheets, giving them a little space to spread out. Bake them in your preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. You want the centers to be soft and slightly underbaked for that perfect chewy texture!

Cooling and Icing

Once they’re out of the oven, let those lovely cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This helps them set up nicely! While they’re cooling, you can whip up the icing by mixing the 3 cups of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of milk until smooth. If you’re feeling festive, add a few drops of food coloring to make your icing pop! Once your cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate them with that sweet icing. Let your creativity shine!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deliciously Sweet: These buttercream Christmas cookies are perfectly sweet, with a rich, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth—trust me, they’re a holiday favorite!
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll be whipping up these cookies in no time, even if you’re new to baking.
Fun for Everyone: Decorating these cookies is a blast! Get the kids involved, unleash your creativity, and make each cookie uniquely festive.
Perfect for Gifting: Pack them up in cute boxes or tins and share the joy of your homemade treats with friends and family—everyone loves a sweet surprise!
Great for Any Occasion: While they’re perfect for Christmas, these cookies can brighten up any gathering or celebration throughout the year.
Makes Your Home Smell Incredible: There’s nothing like the aroma of baking cookies to fill your home with warmth and holiday spirit!

Tips for Success with Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Alright, let’s talk about some pro tips to take your buttercream Christmas cookies to the next level! Trust me, these little nuggets of wisdom will make all the difference in your baking adventure.

Chill the Dough: If you find that your dough is a bit too soft to handle, don’t worry! Just pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chilling will make it easier to roll into balls and help your cookies hold their shape while baking.
Use Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality butter and pure extracts. You’ll really taste the difference, and your cookies will be more delicious!
Experiment with Icing: Get creative with your icing! You can add different flavors like peppermint or orange zest for a fun twist. Plus, don’t be shy with the food coloring—mix and match to create festive designs that make your cookies pop!
Try Fun Shapes: Instead of just rolling them into balls, use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like Christmas trees, stars, or snowflakes. Just remember to adjust your baking time slightly based on the size!
Decorate with Sprinkles: After icing, sprinkle some edible glitter or festive sprinkles on top for an extra touch of holiday cheer. Trust me, it makes everything more fun!
Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Every oven is different, so start checking your cookies a minute or two before the suggested baking time. You want them to be golden at the edges but still soft in the middle!

With these tips, you’re sure to have a batch of buttercream Christmas cookies that not only taste amazing but look stunning too. Happy baking!

Nutritional Information

When indulging in these delightful buttercream Christmas cookies, it’s good to know what you’re enjoying. Here’s a general estimate of the nutritional information per cookie:

Calories: 150
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 50mg
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 1g

Keep in mind that these values can vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes, but this should give you a good idea of what you’re working with. Enjoy these cookies as a sweet treat during the holiday season, and savor each bite without any guilt!

FAQ About Buttercream Christmas Cookies

Can I make these cookies in advance?

Absolutely! These buttercream Christmas cookies are perfect for making ahead of time. You can bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure they’re completely cool before you stack them up to avoid any sticking. The flavors only get better as they sit, so they’ll be just as delicious when you’re ready to enjoy them!

What can I use instead of almond extract?

If you’re not a fan of almond extract or have an allergy, no worries! You can substitute it with an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract for a lovely flavor. Alternatively, try using hazelnut extract or even a splash of orange or lemon zest for a refreshing twist. The key is to maintain that yummy essence that makes these cookies festive!

How can I store leftover cookies?

To keep those leftover buttercream Christmas cookies fresh, simply place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good at room temperature for about a week. If you want to keep them even longer, you can pop them in the fridge, but let them come to room temperature before enjoying for the best texture!

Can I freeze the dough?

You bet! Freezing the dough is a fantastic way to have fresh cookies on hand whenever the mood strikes. Just roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze until firm, and then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven—no need to thaw! Just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Storing your buttercream Christmas cookies properly is key to keeping them fresh and delicious! Once they’re completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. This not only helps retain their soft, chewy texture but also keeps them from drying out. You can stack them, but I recommend placing a sheet of parchment paper in between layers to prevent any sticking.

If you want to keep them at room temperature, they’ll stay fresh for about a week. But if you’re like me and want to enjoy them even longer, you can pop them in the fridge! Just be sure to let them come back to room temperature before enjoying to maintain that perfect melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Now, if you find yourself with leftover cookies (which is rare, but it happens!), you can always reheat them to bring back that fresh-baked warmth! Just pop one or two in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Keep an eye on them, though! You want them warm, not hot—no one likes a melted icing disaster! And voilà, you’ll have cookies that feel just like they came out of the oven!

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About me

Hi, my name is Julia, I am the heart of Vihaad Recipes and a passionate lover of good food. My love for cooking began in childhood, inspired by my grandmother's delicious meals. Today, I share tasty recipes that bring people together through the shared enjoyment of food.