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Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies

180kcal
Print
Prep 25 minutes
Cook 9 minutes
Total 34 minutes
Make perfect soft frosted Christmas cookies with this easy recipe featuring a creamy buttercream frosting. These festive treats are ready in just 34 minutes for holiday baking.
Servings 24 cookies
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Ingredients

Cookie Dough
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cup whole milk, at room temperature
Buttercream Frosting
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • food coloring of your choice, optional
  • sprinkles for decorating, optional

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • electric mixer
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • whisk
  • baking sheets
  • parchment paper
  • wire rack
  • knife
  • offset spatula

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined; set this dry mixture aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream together the 3/4 cup softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale yellow in color, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Beat the egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the 1/4 cup of milk, mixing on low speed just until a soft, cohesive dough forms and no dry flour remains. Be careful not to overmix.
  4. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into smooth balls. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, gently flatten each ball to about a 1/2-inch thickness.
  5. Bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn a very light golden brown while the centers still look soft and puffy. The cookies will firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting by using an electric mixer to beat the 4 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup softened butter, 3 tablespoons of heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract on medium speed until the frosting is very smooth, creamy, and spreadable. If desired, beat in a few drops of food coloring until the color is uniform.
  7. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost the tops generously with the buttercream using a knife or offset spatula. If using, immediately add sprinkles before the frosting sets.

Notes

The cookies will firm up as they cool. Let them cool completely before frosting.