I can still remember the first time I baked Buttercream Christmas Cookies with my grandma. I must have been around 8 or 9 years old, but the memory feels as fresh as the buttery scent of those warm cookies straight out of the oven. Grandma and I would spend the entire day in the kitchen, singing along to classic holiday tunes and laughing as we decorated the Buttercream Christmas Cookies with all sorts of sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and edible glitter. There was something so magical about those moments – the way the rich buttercream frosting melted in my mouth, the satisfying crunch of the perfectly baked cookies, and the sheer joy of creating something so festive together. To this day, baking Buttercream Christmas Cookies reminds me of those cherished times with my grandma, and it’s a tradition I’m honored to continue with my own family. If you’re looking for a recipe that will fill your home with holiday cheer and become a new yuletide staple, you’ve gotta try these Buttercream Christmas Cookies!
Why This Buttercream Christmas Cookies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The Secret Behind Perfect Buttercream Christmas Cookies
What makes this Buttercream Christmas Cookies recipe so special is the attention to detail in both the cookie dough and the buttercream frosting. The cookies themselves have a delightfully tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to the perfect ratio of butter, sugar, and flour. And the buttercream? It’s light, fluffy, and bursting with rich, buttery flavor – no greasy or overly sweet aftertaste in sight. Plus, the vibrant colors and festive decorations make these Buttercream Christmas Cookies an absolute showstopper on any holiday dessert table.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter: The foundation of the cookie dough and buttercream frosting. Make sure it’s at room temperature for best results.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and creates that signature crisp edge.
- Egg: Binds the dough together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the buttery flavor of the cookies and frosting.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the tender cookie texture.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and achieve that perfect shape.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
- Heavy cream: Makes the buttercream silky smooth and creamy.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the buttercream frosting.
- Food coloring (optional): For fun, festive colors to decorate your Buttercream Christmas Cookies.
Step-by-Step Buttercream Christmas Cookies Instructions
Preparing Your Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Baking Buttercream Christmas Cookies is a wonderfully fun and festive activity that the whole family can enjoy. This recipe yields around 24 cookies, and the total time from start to finish is roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, including chilling and decorating. You’ll need a few basic baking tools like a stand mixer, cookie sheets, and a piping bag, but the steps are easy to follow.
1- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
2- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes.
3- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the chilled dough by the tablespoonful and roll into smooth balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
4- Bake the Buttercream Christmas Cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5- While the cookies cool, prepare the buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and heavy cream, mixing on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
6- Once the cookies are completely cool, use a piping bag or knife to generously frost each one. Decorate with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or any other festive toppings your heart desires. Enjoy your freshly baked Buttercream Christmas Cookies!
Pro Tips for Success
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking – this helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents excessive spreading.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for best results in both the cookie dough and buttercream.
- When mixing the buttercream, be patient and let it whip up to a light, fluffy consistency. Don’t overmix.
- Avoid overbaking the cookies – you want them to be soft and tender, not crunchy.
- Get creative with your decorations! Sprinkles, crushed peppermint, edible glitter, and more can really make these Buttercream Christmas Cookies shine.
Serving and Storing Your Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Buttercream Christmas Cookies
These Buttercream Christmas Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, perfect for sharing at Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or as a festive dessert. They pair beautifully with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, mulled wine, or eggnog. And don’t forget a tall glass of cold milk – it’s the classic accompaniment for any freshly baked cookie!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Buttercream Christmas Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer-term storage, freeze the unfrosted cookies in a single layer, then thaw and frost when ready to serve. The buttercream frosting can also be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the fridge until needed.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Creative Buttercream Christmas Cookies Variations
Looking to mix things up? Try swapping out the vanilla extract for peppermint or almond extract for a fun flavor twist. You can also get creative with the buttercream by adding crushed candy canes, chopped nuts, or a hint of cinnamon. For a more vibrant look, divide the frosting and tint it with different food colorings.
Making Buttercream Christmas Cookies Diet-Friendly
To make these Buttercream Christmas Cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use dairy-free butter and unsweetened plant-based milk in the buttercream. And if you’re watching your carbs, try using a low-calorie sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit in place of the granulated sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: While you can use salted butter, it’s best to stick with unsalted for this recipe. Salted butter can throw off the balance of flavors in the cookies and buttercream.
Q: How long do the Buttercream Christmas Cookies need to chill?
A: The cookie dough needs to chill for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents excessive spreading.
Q: Can I make the buttercream frosting ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The buttercream frosting can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to frost the cookies.
Q: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A: Buttercream Christmas Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months.
Q: My cookies spread too much in the oven. What went wrong?
A: The most common culprit for cookies that spread is not chilling the dough long enough. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. You can also try reducing the amount of butter in the recipe slightly.
Buttercream Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 22
- Yield: 24
Description
Indulge in the creamy, buttery goodness of these Buttercream Christmas Cookies. A festive and irresistible treat for your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– Buttercream frosting
– Christmas-themed sprinkles
Instructions
1. – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. – In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. – Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. – In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
6. – Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. – Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
8. – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. – Once cooled, spread a generous amount of buttercream frosting on each cookie and top with festive Christmas sprinkles.
Notes
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For a softer cookie, add an extra egg yolk to the dough.
- Prep Time: 12
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Baking Buttercream Christmas Cookies has become one of my family’s most cherished holiday traditions, and I can’t wait for you to experience the same joy. These cookies are the perfect blend of buttery, sweet, and festive – they’re sure to delight everyone who tries them. So gather your loved ones, crank up the holiday tunes, and let the cookie-decorating festivities begin! Don’t forget to share your creations with me – I’d love to see how your Buttercream Christmas Cookies turn out.
