Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies

There’s something so special about baking Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies during the holidays—the smell of butter and vanilla filling the kitchen and the fun of cutting out festive shapes.

These cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly flavored with almond extract for that classic holiday taste. The dough rolls out easily for cookie cutters, and the simple icing adds just the right touch of sweetness and sparkle.

I’ve always enjoyed making cookies around the holidays. To me, it’s the true beginning of the season — Christmas music playing in the background, the kitchen filled with laughter, and me and my girls excited to start baking. Those moments are some of my favorite memories.

Why You’ll Love These Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies

These festive holiday sugar cookies are soft, easy to make, and perfect for decorating. They roll out beautifully, hold their shape, and are so much fun to decorate with icing and sprinkles. Whether you’re baking with family or preparing for a cookie exchange, these classic cookies bring a little extra holiday cheer to every batch.

Of course, Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies weren’t the only treats on our holiday dessert table. There were always two others that made an appearance every year: Nana’s Honey Balls and Italian Wedding Cookies. Seeing all three lined up on the table instantly brings back those warm, festive memories.

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Ingredients needed for Sugar Cookies and Icing:

For the Cookies:

• All-purpose flour – structure and shape
• Baking powder – extra lift and fluffiness
• Salt – enhances flavor
• Unsalted butter – richness and tenderness
• Granulated sugar – sweetness and slight crispness
• Egg – binding and moisture
• Vanilla extract – flavor
• Almond extract  – extra flavor

For the Icing:

• Powdered sugar – sweetness and smooth texture
• Water – thins icing to spreadable consistency
• Light corn syrup – adds shine and helps icing set
• Vanilla extract – flavor
• Colored sugar or sprinkles – decoration and festive touch

How to make Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies:

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

On a lightly flowered surface, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, lightly sprinkle the top of the dough with flour.Use cookie cutters to cut out the cookies, then transfer to a cookie sheet.

Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency: add a little more sugar to thicken, or a few drops of water to thin.

Spread or drizzle icing over cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top before icing sets. Let icing set completely before storing.

✨ Quick Tips For Decorating Sugar Cookies

• Let cookies cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
• Use a mix of powdered sugar, water, light corn syrup, and vanilla for a smooth, shiny icing.
• Add food coloring for festive designs and sprinkles before the icing sets.
• Let decorated cookies dry fully before stacking or storing.
• For easy cleanup, decorate cookies on parchment paper.

How to Store Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freezing baked cookies: Wrap cookies individually or layer with parchment paper in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Freezing cookie dough: Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and cutting.

How Do You Make Soft Sugar Cookies That Hold Their Shape?

For soft sugar cookies that keep their cut-out shapes, start with room-temperature butter and chill the dough before baking. Roll it out evenly to about ¼ inch thick, and don’t over-mix once the flour is added. Bake just until the edges are lightly golden — they’ll finish setting as they cool, keeping the centers soft and tender.

Can I Freeze Sugar Cookie Dough?

Yes! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months – this is a great way to prep ahead for the Holidays. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight, then roll out and cut as usual.

What’s the Best Icing for Decorating?

A simple mix of powdered sugar, water, light corn syrup, and vanilla gives you a smooth, shiny icing that sets beautifully. Add food coloring or sprinkles for a festive touch.

Festive Holiday Sugar Cookies

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• Author: Lori
• Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 1/2 hour chilling)
• Cook Time: 10 - 12 minutes
• Total Time: 20 - 22 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp almond extract

For the icing:

• 2 cup powdered sugar

• 1-2 tsp water (adjust for consistency)

• 1 tsp light corn syrup (adds shine)

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• Colored sugar or sprinkles, for decorating

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Instructions

1. Preheat & prep:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix dry ingredients:
   Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

3. Cream butter & sugar:
   Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.

4. Add wet ingredients:
   Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.

5. Combine wet & dry:
   Gradually mix in dry ingredients.

6. Chill dough (optional but helps shape):
   Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

7. Shape cookies:
   On a lightly flowered surface, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin, lightly sprinkle the top of the dough with flour. Use cookie cutters to cut out the cookies, then transfer to a cookie sheet.

8. Bake:
   Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

9. Make icing:
   In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency: add a little more sugar to thicken, or a few drops of water to thin.

10. Decorate cookies:
    Spread or drizzle icing over cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top before icing sets. Let icing set completely before storing. If your in a hurry, put them in the fridge.