Best Soft Christmas Cookies

⭐ Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Soft, tender, vanilla-scented Christmas cookies made for rolling, cutting, frosting, and decorating!

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🎄 Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups white sugar

1 cup margarine, softened
(You can substitute with unsalted butter, but margarine keeps them extra soft.)

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins

½ teaspoon almond extract (for a bakery-style flavor)

1–2 tablespoons milk (if dough feels too dry)

Colored sugar, sprinkles, or frosting for decorating

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🎅 Instructions (Detailed)

1️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   Set aside.

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2️⃣ Cream the Butter & Sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened margarine and sugar on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and fluffy.
   This step is key for soft cookies.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Add the vanilla extract (and almond extract if using), then beat again until smooth.

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3️⃣ Combine the Dough

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
   Mix on low speed or use a spatula to avoid over-mixing.
2. If the dough feels too crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of milk, mix, and add another if needed.
   The dough should be soft but not sticky.

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4️⃣ Chill the Dough

1. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
   Chilling prevents spreading and helps cookies keep clean shapes.

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5️⃣ Roll & Cut

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly flour your workstation.
3. Roll the dough to ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thickness.
4. Cut out shapes using your favorite Christmas cookie cutters (tree, star, snowflake, gingerbread man…).

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6️⃣ Bake

1. Arrange cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving a little space between them.
2. Bake for 7–9 minutes, depending on size.
   The edges should look pale and just barely golden.
3. Cool cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.

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7️⃣ Decorate (Optional but fun!)

Once completely cooled, decorate with:

Vanilla icing

Royal icing

Melted white chocolate

Sprinkles

Colored sugar

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🎁 Tips for Extra Soft Cookies

Don’t overbake — remove them while they still look pale.

Keep dough chilled between batches.

Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft for days.

For ultra-tender cookies, use margarine or half margarine + half butter.