Introduction

Soft Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies are the kind of holiday treat people instantly fall in love with. These cookies are thick, ultra-soft, pillowy, and sweet—just like the famous bakery-style or Lofthouse-style Christmas cookies everyone looks for during the holidays. Topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream and festive sprinkles, they bring warmth, nostalgia, and Christmas cheer to every bite.

What makes these cookies extra special is their melt-in-your-mouth texture. The dough is enriched with butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla, giving the cookies a tender crumb and subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the smooth frosting. They are the perfect cookie to serve at Christmas parties, include in cookie exchange boxes, or enjoy with a cozy cup of hot chocolate.

This long, detailed recipe covers everything you need to make bakery-perfect Soft Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies at home—complete with tips, variations, troubleshooting, and serving ideas. These cookies are guaranteed to become a holiday tradition.

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Ingredients:

For the Cookies

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
• 3 1/2 cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
• 1–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Food coloring (optional)
• Festive sprinkles

Preparation

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale.
This step incorporates air, helping the cookies stay soft and thick.

Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla & Sour Cream

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Slowly incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies from becoming dense.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours.
Chilled dough produces thicker, softer cookies and prevents spreading during baking.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Scoop dough into balls about 1.5 inches in size, then gently flatten each one with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are set.
Do not let them brown—these cookies should stay pale to remain soft.

Step 7: Cool Completely

Allow cookies to cool on wire racks before frosting.
Frosting warm cookies will cause it to melt and slide off.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

Beat the softened butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and enough heavy cream to make the frosting fluffy and spreadable.

Tint the frosting with red, green, or pastel holiday shades if desired.

Step 9: Frost & Decorate

Use a knife or piping bag to frost each cookie generously.
Top with Christmas sprinkles, sanding sugar, or edible glitter.

Variation

🎄 1. Peppermint Frosted Sugar Cookies

Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to the frosting and top with crushed candy canes.

🍋 2. Lemon Sugar Cookies

Add 2 teaspoons lemon zest and replace half the vanilla with lemon extract.

🧀 3. Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Replace 1/4 cup of butter with cream cheese for a richer flavor.

🍫 4. Chocolate Frosted Version

Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the frosting for a holiday chocolate twist.

🌈 5. Rainbow Frosting Swirl

Mix two colors of frosting (e.g., green + white) in a piping bag for a marbled, bakery-style swirl.

COOKING Note

• The cookies must remain pale—color = dryness.
• Heavy cream makes the frosting especially fluffy, but milk works too.
• To avoid sticky dough, chill thoroughly before shaping.
• Overbaking even by 1–2 minutes can make them dry, so watch closely.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve on a Christmas dessert tray with gingerbread, shortbread, and chocolate crinkle cookies.
• Pair with hot cocoa, peppermint mocha, or warm chai.
• Wrap individually in cellophane for gifting.
• Create a holiday cookie box with red, white, and green frosted cookies.

Tips

• Use room-temperature butter for both the cookies and frosting.
• If dough cracks while pressing, smooth edges with slightly damp fingers.
• For the best flavor, frost the cookies and store them overnight to let them soften further.
• For perfect circles, use a cookie scoop and flatten evenly.
• Add sprinkles immediately after frosting so they adhere properly.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)

Nutritional Information (Approx. per cookie):

Calories: ~215
Protein: ~2 g
Sodium: ~90 mg

FAQs

1. Why are my sugar cookies dry?

Most likely they were baked too long. These cookies should be removed before browning.

2. Can I freeze frosted sugar cookies?

Yes—freeze them in layers separated by parchment paper.

3. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, full-fat Greek yogurt works well as a substitute.

4. Why did my cookies spread too much?

Dough wasn’t chilled, or butter was too soft. Chill the dough longer next time.

5. How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container, they remain soft for 3–4 days.

Conclusion

Soft Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat to brighten your holiday season. Their pillowy texture, creamy frosting, and festive toppings make them irresistible to both kids and adults. With the right chilling, mixing, and frosting techniques, you can recreate the soft, tender bakery-style cookies everyone craves during Christmas. Bake them for parties, gift-giving, or simply to enjoy with loved ones—these cookies are guaranteed to become a cherished annual tradition.