Oh, the joy of baking during the holiday season! There’s just something magical about filling your kitchen with delightful scents and festive cheer. Buttercream Christmas cookies are my absolute favorite treat to whip up this time of year. I remember as a kid, my family and I would gather around the kitchen table, rolling out dough and decorating these sweet little gems together. The moment those cookies come out of the oven, golden and soft, I can’t help but smile. And then the best part—slathering them with buttery, sweet frosting and a sprinkle of colorful decorations! Trust me, these cookies are not just a treat; they’re a cherished tradition that brings everyone together in the most delicious way.
Ingredients for Buttercream Christmas Cookies
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups buttercream frosting
- Sprinkles for decoration
How to Prepare Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden. While that’s warming up, grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps to distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the dough, so your cookies rise just right!
Cream Butter and Sugar
Now, it’s time to get that butter and sugar ready! In another bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and white sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. You want to beat it well so air gets in there, giving your cookies that lovely soft texture. Don’t rush this step; trust me, it makes a world of difference!
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Once your butter and sugar are creamed to perfection, it’s time to add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix them in until just combined. Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. I like to do this in three parts, gently mixing until everything is just combined. This helps avoid overmixing, keeping your cookies tender and delicious!
Shape and Bake the Cookies
When your dough is ready, roll it into small balls—about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter—and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space in between. Bake these little beauties for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they’re golden around the edges but still soft in the center. They will set as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a little underbaked!
Cooling and Decorating
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool, it’s time for the fun part—frosting! Slather on your delicious buttercream frosting and sprinkle with festive toppings. The colorful decorations really bring the holiday spirit to life, and trust me, everyone will be eager to dig in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick prep time—whip these up in just 30 minutes!
- Simple and straightforward steps, perfect for all skill levels.
- Beautifully festive decorations that add cheer to any holiday gathering.
- Delightfully soft and buttery cookies that melt in your mouth.
- Endless customization options with different frosting colors and sprinkles.
Tips for Success
To ensure your buttercream Christmas cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some of my favorite tips! First, make sure your butter is at room temperature—this helps it cream smoothly with the sugar and creates that light, fluffy texture we all love. Also, don’t skip the step of chilling the dough for about 30 minutes if you find it too sticky; this makes it easier to shape those adorable cookie balls.
When it comes to frosting, feel free to get creative! You can add food coloring to your buttercream for vibrant, festive hues. Just remember to mix it in gradually until you achieve your desired shade. And last but not least, don’t be afraid to experiment with different sprinkles or toppings—each batch can have its own unique flair! Happy baking!
Serving Suggestions
These buttercream Christmas cookies are perfect for any festive gathering! Serve them on a beautiful holiday platter alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa or eggnog for a delightful treat. You can also stack them in a cute cookie jar, tied with a ribbon, to make a charming gift for friends and family. They’re sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces, making your holiday celebrations even more special!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your buttercream Christmas cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Just place the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and they’ll last for up to three months.
If you prefer to enjoy them warm, simply pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat—nobody likes a dry cookie!
Nutritional Information
These delightful buttercream Christmas cookies are not only festive but also a treat to enjoy in moderation! Each cookie is approximately 150 calories, with 7 grams of fat, 12 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. They contain about 20 grams of carbohydrates. Keep in mind, these values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use, so feel free to adjust them to fit your dietary needs. Enjoy these sweet bites during the holiday season while keeping an eye on portion sizes!
FAQ About Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and texture, you can substitute margarine in a pinch. Just be aware that it might alter the taste slightly.
How can I make my frosting smoother?
If your buttercream frosting seems too thick, try adding a tiny splash of milk or cream to loosen it up. Mix it in gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
What types of sprinkles work best?
I love using holiday-themed sprinkles, but feel free to get creative! Nonpareils, sugar crystals, or even edible glitter can add a fun touch.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a bit before rolling into balls.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and try chilling the dough before baking. This will help your cookies maintain their shape!
Buttercream Christmas Cookies: 5 Steps to Holiday Joy
- Temps Total: 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious buttercream Christmas cookies decorated for the holiday season.
Ingrédients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups buttercream frosting
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.
- Let cool, then frost with buttercream.
- Add sprinkles on top for decoration.
Notes
- Make sure butter is at room temperature.
- You can use food coloring for the frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 12g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 20mg
Mots-clés: buttercream, Christmas, cookies
