Crispy Christmas Sugar Cookies with Snowflakes
These crispy Christmas sugar cookies are engineered to hold their shape and intricate snowflake details. With a perfect balance of crunch and tenderness, they are ideal for holiday decorating and gifting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed lightly
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Gel food coloring and royal icing for decorating
Instructions
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until pale, fluffy, and increased in volume.
- With the mixer on low, add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed. Mix until the dough just comes together and forms a ball. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 2 days).
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Take one disc of dough out of the fridge and let it sit for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
- Use snowflake cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place them on prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between cookies. Re-roll scraps to cut more shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, but the centers should remain pale. Rotate pans halfway through for even baking.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
Chilling the dough is non-negotiable to prevent spreading and ensure crispness. Use an oven thermometer to verify temperature. Store cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to maintain crispness. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 1
Keywords: crispy sugar cookies, christmas cookies, snowflake cookies, holiday baking, royal icing cookies, easy sugar cookie recipe