11 Festive Sugar Cookies Recipes To Bring Joy to Your Holiday Table


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There’s something about food that feels like home. Today, we’re going to dive into a recipe that’s simple yet packed with the kind of comfort that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. These sugar cookie recipes are perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!), and they’ll bring joy to your holiday table. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get baking!

Classic Sugar Cookies

Soft and buttery, the traditional sugar cookie that never disappoints.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 3 tbsp white sugar for decoration

Process:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
  3. Roll dough into balls, then roll in the extra sugar. Place onto greased cookie sheets and flatten slightly.
  4. Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden.

Make it Unique:
Add lemon zest for a citrus twist!


Gingerbread Sugar Cookies

Spicy warmth meets the sweetness of sugar cookies with this festive twist.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Process:

  1. Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Mix in the flour, spices, and baking soda.
  2. Roll and chill for at least an hour. Roll out and cut into shapes.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Add chopped crystallized ginger for extra flavor!


Frosted Holiday Sugar Cookies

These cookies are all about fun and creativity—perfect for decorating!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Colors of your choice for frosting

Process:

  1. Cream together butter, sugar, and egg. Mix in vanilla and dry ingredients until combined.
  2. Roll dough out and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes.
  3. Cool, then frost and decorate as you’d like!

Make it Unique:
Use flavored extracts for different frosting flavors!


Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies

Indulge your sweet tooth with a delightful chocolate twist on classic sugar cookies!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Process:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and cream the butter and sugar.
  2. Add egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in flour and salt.
  3. Roll into balls, flatten slightly, and bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
  4. Melt chocolate chips and dip half of each cookie in chocolate.

Make it Unique:
Drizzle with white chocolate for a classy finish!


Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Add a fun pop of color and texture with playful sprinkles!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup rainbow sprinkles

Process:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in the egg and vanilla.
  2. Combine the dry ingredients, followed by the sprinkles.
  3. Shape dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Swap out sprinkles for crushed candy canes!


Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Bring a refreshing minty flavor to your holiday treats!

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Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Crushed peppermint candies for topping

Process:

  1. Beat together butter and sugar. Add egg and peppermint extract, mixing well.
  2. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Shape into balls and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
  3. Once cool, top with icing and crushed peppermint.

Make it Unique:
Add cocoa powder for a chocolate peppermint surprise!


Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies

Brighten your holiday cookies with zesty lemon flavor!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Process:

  1. Cream butter and sugar, adding the egg and extracts. Mix in flour, zest, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Roll the dough into balls and flatten them slightly on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Drizzle with lemon icing for more tang!


Almond Sugar Cookies

Enjoy the rich, nutty flavor of almonds in every bite!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Slivered almonds for topping

Process:

  1. Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg and almond extract.
  2. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
  3. Shape into balls, place on the baking sheet, and top with slivered almonds before baking at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Add a touch of cardamom for extra aromatic flavor!


Coconut Sugar Cookies

Bring a taste of the tropics to your holiday cookie platter!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Process:

  1. Cream together butter and sugar. Incorporate the egg and vanilla, then blend in shredded coconut.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until combined.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until slightly golden.

Make it Unique:
Use sweetened condensed milk for richer flavor!


Nutella-Stuffed Sugar Cookies

Who can resist a surprise chocolate filling in their cookies?

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Nutella for stuffing

Process:

  1. Cream butter, sugar, and egg. Mix in vanilla and dry ingredients.
  2. Take a small piece of dough, flatten it, place a dollop of Nutella, and cover with more dough. Shape into balls.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

Make it Unique:
Substitute Nutella with peanut butter for a new twist!


These festive sugar cookie recipes are perfect for sharing and celebrating the season. Gather your loved ones, roll up those sleeves, and create delicious memories together. Whether you try a classic or a unique twist, your holiday table will be brighter and sweeter with these delightful treats! Happy baking!

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Carolyn E. Fleener

👩‍🍳 Carolyn E. Fleener is the voice behind Dough and Diary , where she shares simple, delicious recipes with a personal touch.

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