Name: Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons milk; Food coloring (optional); Sprinkles (optional)

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These soft frosted Christmas cookies are everything a festive treat should be — melt-in-your-mouth tender, crowned with a creamy layer of vanilla frosting, and showered with cheerful sprinkles. If you have ever fallen for those thick, pillowy frosted sugar cookies from the bakery case, this homemade version is calling your name, and it is far easier to pull off than you might expect.

The holiday season is really just an excuse to bake up a little magic, and few things capture that spirit like a plate of soft, sweet, beautifully decorated cookies. What I love most is that the decorating turns into an event of its own — the kind of low-stakes, high-joy activity that pulls kids up onto kitchen stools and keeps everyone happily busy with frosting knives and sprinkle jars. Soft, sweet, and decked out for Christmas, these are the cookies that make the season feel complete.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First and foremost, the texture is dreamy. These cookies bake up perfectly soft with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crumb that stays tender for days, thanks to a gentle hand with the dough and a short bake time that keeps the centers pillowy.

They are also wonderfully adaptable. By simply changing the frosting color and swapping the sprinkles, you can dress the very same cookie for any holiday or celebration on the calendar — which makes this a recipe worth committing to memory. The frosting itself is a highlight, too: creamy, sweet, and just firm enough once set that you can stack and store the cookies without smudging your handiwork.

Finally, these are made for togetherness. Kids absolutely adore helping decorate, and the whole process becomes a cozy family baking session rather than a solo chore. Whether you are hosting a cookie exchange or simply filling the house with the smell of vanilla and butter, this recipe delivers.

Ingredients

The cookie dough starts with 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, creamed together until light and fluffy to build that tender texture. Two large eggs and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract add richness and warmth, binding the dough while giving it that classic bakery flavor. If you forgot to set your butter out, cut it into small cubes and let it sit for about fifteen minutes to soften quickly.

For structure, you will whisk together 3 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. The flour gives these soft, pillowy cookies their gentle body, the salt balances and enhances the sweetness, and the baking powder provides just enough lift to keep them plush rather than flat. Measuring your flour accurately — spooned into the cup and leveled off — keeps the cookies soft instead of dry.

The frosting is a simple dream of 3 cups of powdered sugar, 1/3 cup of softened unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of milk beaten until creamy and smooth. From there, a few drops of food coloring and a generous handful of sprinkles are optional but highly encouraged for that festive flair — think red, green, gold, or any cheerful mix you love. Adjust the milk a splash at a time to get the frosting exactly as thick or spreadable as you like.

Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, which make cleanup a breeze and keep the cookies from sticking. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy — about two to three minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. This step incorporates air and sets the foundation for a soft cookie, so do not rush it.

Beat in the two eggs and the vanilla extract until everything is well combined and smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, then gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. The key word is “just” — stop as soon as the flour disappears, since over-mixing develops gluten and can make the cookies tough.

Roll the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Lightly flatten each ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass, which helps them bake into even, uniform rounds. If the dough feels too sticky to handle comfortably, a quick ten to fifteen minute chill in the refrigerator makes it much easier to work with.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or just until the edges are set. The centers should still look soft and slightly underdone — that is exactly what you want, because they will finish setting as they cool and stay tender inside. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which is essential before frosting.

While they cool, make the frosting by beating the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla, and milk together until creamy and smooth, adding a few drops of food coloring if you like. Once the cookies are fully cooled, frost them generously with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, then scatter with sprinkles. Let the frosting set for one to two hours before stacking or storing so it firms up and stays picture-perfect.

Tips for the Best Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies

The single most important tip is to avoid overmixing the dough once the dry ingredients go in — a light touch is what keeps these cookies soft rather than tough. If the dough feels sticky, chilling it for ten to fifteen minutes makes rolling much easier. And when it comes time to frost, a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon gives you that smooth, even, bakery-style layer.

These cookies are a blank festive canvas, so have fun with them. Swap the frosting color for any occasion — orange for Halloween, pastels for Easter, blue and silver for Hanukkah — and plate them alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa or coffee for the ultimate holiday moment. They also make a heartfelt addition to any cookie tin or exchange.

If you are baking your way through the season, do not miss my gingerbread men cookies and the playful Grinch cookies for even more festive fun. Craving a full dessert lineup? Browse my roundup of Christmas dessert recipes for more sweet inspiration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store these cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them in a single layer for up to 3 months. Let the frosting set fully before stacking.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. The dough can be covered tightly and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling so it is easier to shape.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is best for flavor and texture, but in a pinch you can substitute margarine. The cookies will still be soft, though the flavor will be slightly less rich.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies usually mean the butter was too warm or the dough needed chilling. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough briefly if it feels loose.

Can I freeze the frosted cookies?
Yes. Let the frosting set completely, then freeze the cookies in a single layer before transferring to a container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Looking to balance all that holiday sweetness? These healthy eating ideas offer some lighter inspiration. And when you bake a batch of these soft frosted Christmas cookies, I would love to see how you decorate them — tag @thekitchensaid on Instagram and show me your sprinkles.

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