Description
Delight in these festive Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies that are soft, buttery, and bursting with colorful sprinkles. This easy-to-make recipe requires simple ingredients and minimal effort, perfect for holiday baking with family and friends. Chilling the dough enhances the flavor and texture, resulting in perfectly tender cookies that are lightly golden around the edges with a soft center.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup (80g) sprinkles, plus more for topping
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the room temperature egg and pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on high speed until fully combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again if needed to fully incorporate.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Then fold in 1/2 cup of sprinkles for a festive touch. The dough should be thick and sticky.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into balls. For extra festive flair, lightly dip the tops of the dough balls into additional sprinkles. Place the dough balls on a plate or a lined baking sheet.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough balls and refrigerate them for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 days. Chilling will help the cookies maintain their shape during baking and enhance flavor.
- Prepare to Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Arrange and Bake: Space the chilled cookie dough balls about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-13 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. The centers will remain soft and slightly underbaked.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Keep the cookies fresh by storing them covered at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature to achieve a smooth, creamy dough.
- Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft in the center and lightly golden on the edges.
- You can substitute sprinkles with colored sugar or mini chocolate chips for different flavors.
- Chilling the dough is essential for shaping and flavor development.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cookies, sugar cookies, drop cookies, holiday baking, sprinkle cookies, festive cookies
