Traditional roll out sugar cookies are a Christmas dessert that keep my grandma’s memory alive. Break out the cookie cutters for these festive treats!
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There’s just something special about grandma.
I had a special bond with my mom’s mom, Helen, and have many, many fond memories of cooking and baking with her in her Midwest kitchen.
The baking, of course, was always more fun as a kid. And my absolute favorite thing to bake with grandma was Christmas cookies!
When I hear the term “Christmas cookies”, this recipe is what I think of.
I used to make these cookies with her every year, and when I moved to New York, I would bake them in my tiny kitchen and mail a tin to her for the holidays.
Of course, being the oddball that I am, I’d bake them for other holidays, too. Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day… I just love any excuse to make these beauties.
They really are the perfect roll-out cookie. They’re soft and chewy, and the icing is delicious. These are always a big hit with a crowd.
Grandma didn’t get fussy with the decorations. Just frost ’em, throw on a few sprinkles, and spread that Christmas cheer to friends and family.
I like playing around with different decorating styles. I’m thinking of experimenting with royal icing the next time I make them. I’ll definitely report back if I do!
These are the perfect cookies to decorate with kids. And I can’t think of a better way to spend the holiday break than baking and laughing with a house full of joy.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and I hope you all have a wonderfully prosperous New Year.
Looking for more dessert recipes? Check out some of our favorites:
- Rich Cocoa Brownie Bites
- Elvis-Style Frozen Bananas
- Sweet + Salty Dark Chocolate Clusters
- 5-Ingredient Samoa Cereal Bowls
- Orange Scented Cannoli Dip
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla Icing
- Dessert Nachos with Fresh Baked Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
- Tolon’s Strawberry Basil Shortcake
- Cranberry Orange Snickerdoodles
- Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie with a Whole Wheat Crust
- Chocolate Cream Pie with Orange Zested Whipped Cream
- Great Grandma Francesca Cardile’s Cookies
- Triple-Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
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Traditional roll out sugar cookies are a Christmas dessert that keep my grandma’s memory alive. Break out the cookie cutters for these festive treats!
Ingredients
For Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
For Icing:
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
For Decorating:
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
Instructions
For Cookies: In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Scrape down edges, add eggs, and beat until light and fluffy.
Add dry ingredients and beat until combined. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Take 1 portion of dough out of the refrigerator. On a well floured surface, roll out to about 1/8” thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters, and place on uncreased cookie sheets, leaving a few inches in between each cookie.
Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to fully cool before icing.
For Icing: In a large bowl, stir together softened butter, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth. Divide into bowls and tint with food coloring, if desired.
Decorate cooled cookies with icing, adding sprinkles while the icing is still wet, if desired. Let dry completely before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
If icing is too thick, add a splash more milk. If it’s too thin, add another sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Recipe yield varies depending on the size of your cookie cutters and how thickly you roll out the dough.
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3 Comments
lorhen82
I remember making those cookies! It is a great recipe, and yours look yummy!
Medifast Coupon
No Christmas is complete without these cookies. The photo’s look wonderful, especially when these cookies are presented in a tin! Great work.
lynne
Love your cookies! They look yummy!