Christmas Sugar Cookies

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Homemade Christmas Sugar Cookies have a festive touch with colored sprinkles.

Christmas cookies are one of my favorite things to bake during the holiday season. I love having a variety of cookies to please everyone, although they tend to disappear faster than I can bake them.

These Christmas Sugar Cookies can be made ahead of time and the sliced and baked just before you need them. 

These sugar cookies don’t need any extra decorations. The sprinkles are all they need. They add a perfect festive touch.

What ingredients do I need to make these Christmas Sugar Cookies?

• Butter
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Colored sprinkles

Does the cookie dough need to be refrigerated?

Yes, this dough does need to be refrigerated. Once the dough is made, it is rolled into a log and then into the sprinkles. The log is wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated. The chilling helps hold the dough together. This makes it easier to slice and helps keep the shape when baking. 

How do I get the sprinkles to stick to the dough?

This is probably the most difficult part of making these cookies, and it really isn’t all that difficult. Sprinkles remind me a bit of glitter. They seem to get everywhere and you find them for days after you are done  using them. 

I used a two step method to add the sprinkles:

• First, I added the sprinkles to a cookie sheet and rolled the dough log back and forth. A lot of sprinkles stuck to the log, but not enough.

• Second, I placed the log on plastic wrap and added more sprinkles. When I wrapped up the plastic wrap, I  rubbed the sprinkles into the dough. There will still be several loose sprinkles and areas not covered, but this is okay.

• After you refrigerate the logs of cookie dough, unwrap the dough and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Any piece that is missing too many sprinkles can be rolled along the edges into more sprinkles. It is okay to have a few blank areas. There are plenty of sprinkles on these cookies and they will look covered. 

Can I use any color of sprinkles?

Yes, you can use any color of sprinkles that you’d like! I used red, green and white sprinkles for a Christmas cookie, but you could use blue and white, multi colored or any theme you’d like. 

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, I like to make the cookie dough and roll it in sprinkles. I often double wrap the dough and place it in the freezer to bake later. When ready to use, allow dough to thaw and then slice and bake. Cookie dough can be frozen up to one month. 

Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yes, these cookies can be frozen once baked. Allow cookies to fully cool and then place in an air tight container. Freeze up to one month. 

Other great Christmas cookies

• Raspberry Bow Tie Cookies
• Cranberry Orange Swirl Cookies
• Peppermint Candy Cookies
• Coconut Macaroons
• Chocolate Crinkles
• Thumbprint Cookies

Tips when making sprinkled Christmas cookies

• Make certain butter is very soft, not melted, but soft enough to leave an indentation when lightly pressed.
• This dough looks dry and crumbly after mixing. It will form together when molded with your hands. 
• Keep everything dry. If the sprinkles get we, the colors will run.
• Use a rimmed cookie sheet to help keep the sprinkles contained
• Allow dough logs to fully chill before slicing and baking

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If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my cookie recipes!

5 from 4 votes

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Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

12 mins

Chill Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 42 mins

 

Shortbread cookies with festive sprinkles.

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chritsmas Cookies, Cookies with Sprinkles, sugar cookies

Servings: 40 cookies

Calories: 117 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter soft
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 egg
• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup colored sprinkles

Instructions

1. Mix butter with an electric mixer until very soft and creamy.

2. Mix in sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg and vanilla. Mix well

4. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until the dough is crumbly. The dough will look dry, but will come together when pressed.

5. Dump dough onto a flat surface. Divide into two piles. Working with one section at a time,form dough into a 10 inch log. The dough will begin to stick together when pressed. If it breaks apart, simply press back together.

6. Pour 1/4 cup of sprinkles onto a rimmed baking sheet. Roll logs into sprinkles.

7. Place each log on a sheet of plastic wrap. Divide remaining sprinkles between each log. Pour sprinkles over each log. Wrap each log fully with plastic wrap. Use your hands over the plastic wrap to smooth sprinkles into logs.

8. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

9. Remove plastic wrap and cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or grease baking sheet lightly.

10. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 12-14 minutes.

11. Let cookies cool slightly on baking sheet. Remove and continue cooling on baking rack.

Recipe Notes

• Make certain butter is very soft, not melted, but soft enough to leave an indentation when lightly pressed.
• This dough looks dry and crumbly after mixing. It will form together when molded with your hands. 
• Keep everything dry. If the sprinkles get we, they will melt and run
• Use a rimmed cookie sheet to help keep the sprinkles contained
• Allow dough logs to fully chill before slicing and baking
• Dough logs can be frozen for up to one month. Allow to thaw before slicing and baking.

Nutrition Facts

Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)

Calories 117 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 16mg5%

Sodium 57mg2%

Potassium 19mg1%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 148IU3%

Calcium 6mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.