Super Easy Christmas Cookies All The Family Will Love
Some recipes become traditions without even trying.
These super-easy Christmas cookies are one of ours!
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I’ve been baking these cookies for years, and they have followed my family through so many little Christmas moments.
I first started making them for my sons’ school Christmas bazaars, year after year. They were always the first thing to sell out — trays emptied faster than I could refill them.
This year, I baked them again, this time also for my Greek lessons mates. Different place, different people, same result: everyone loved them.
I also made them for friends, wrapped in simple paper bags with ribbons, and they turned into the easiest, most appreciated Christmas gifts.
They are incredibly easy to make, forgiving, and perfect if you’re baking with kids. And if you’re in the right mood to decorate, they can look absolutely magical.
I did spend a few extra euros this year on super creative Christmas cookie cutters — they really do make a difference when it comes to decorating — but honestly, regular cutters work just fine too.
The real secret? The taste.
Buttery, soft inside, lightly crisp at the edges, and not too sweet.
This time, I made two batches: one plain vanilla and one with a teaspoon of ginger spice powder. Both disappeared equally fast.
And one last discovery: glittery glass sugar. I found it in the shops this year, and it turned these simple cookies into a shiny Christmas hit.
How do I make them
Start by creaming the butter and sugar together until the mixture feels soft, pale, and almost fluffy. This step sets the tone for tender, melt-in-the-mouth cookies. Starting with butter at room temperature is key here.
Add the egg (also at room temperature) and keep mixing until everything comes together smoothly, then pour in the vanilla extract for that warm, familiar Christmas aroma.
Now it’s time to add the dry ingredients. Mix gently, just until a dough forms. It should feel a little crumbly and fragile rather than elastic — that’s exactly what you want.
Roll the dough out generously thick. This is the secret behind these cookies: they are meant to be rich and satisfying, never thin or dry.
Cut into shapes, place them on a lined baking tray, and bake until the edges are just turning golden. Let them cool completely before decorating, and enjoy the process — imperfect cookies are often the most loved.
Super-Easy Christmas Cookies
Buttery, soft, festive cookies that are perfect for decorating — or enjoying just as they are.
Ingredients
- 450 g flour
- 250 g butter, softened
- 300 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional ingredients: Small edible decorations such as chocolate stars, chocolate chips, tiny meringues (perfect as a pompon on Santa’s hat), colored sprinkles, or glittery glass sugar.
- Ginger spice mix if you want a touch of Christmas magic in your batch of cookies.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar until they are soft and creamy.
- Add the egg and mix well.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix until a dough forms.
The dough should be slightly flaky and break easily — this is exactly what you want. - Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1.5 cm (around 0.6 inches).
This thickness is the secret to rich, buttery cookies that don’t dry out. - Cut with your favorite cookie cutters and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, just until the edges are barely golden.
- Remove from the oven, let them cool completely, and decorate if you wish.
Notes
Simple White Glaze (for decorating)
Mix icing sugar with a few drops of water or lemon juice until you reach a thick but pourable consistency.
Use a spoon or piping bag to decorate the cookies, then add sprinkles or edible decorations before it sets.
Ginger Spice Batch
For the second batch, simply add 1 teaspoon of ginger spice powder to the dry ingredients.
The result is warmer, more aromatic cookies with a subtle Christmas spice that pairs beautifully with white glaze or chocolate decorations.
Tips & Variations
- Don’t roll the dough too thin — thicker cookies stay soft and buttery.
- Chill the dough for 10 minutes if your kitchen is very warm.
- These cookies keep well for several days in an airtight container.
- Perfect for gifting: stack them in clear bags, tie with ribbon, and add a handwritten tag.
- Kids love decorating these — and perfection is not required.
These cookies are simple, nostalgic, and full of Christmas joy.
Sometimes, the easiest recipes become the ones we treasure the most.
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About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the island. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.
