Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Makes

6 dozen (2-1/2-inch cookies)

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Rich and buttery Christmas cutout cookies like these never last long at a party. They're one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Tinted frostings, colored sugars, edible glitter and nonpareils

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill until firm, 1 hour.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut out with Christmas cookie cutters of your choice. Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks.
  3. Decorate cookies with frosting and colored sugars.
Test Kitchen Tips
  • Chilling the dough is important because it allows butter and other fats to solidify, making them full-bodied and chewy. Don't skip this step!
  • Check out the 7 secrets to baking soft and chewy sugar cookies.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 unfrosted cookie: 47 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.