If you’ve ever wanted Christmas sugar cookies that stay soft for days, bake up thick, and keep crisp, clean edges, this is the recipe to bookmark. These are the kind of cookies you see beautifully decorated with royal icing or simple glaze—smooth, flat tops with lots of surface area, and a tender bite that doesn’t turn dry the next day. Best of all, it’s a no-chill sugar cookie dough, which means you can mix, roll, cut, and bake right away. That makes it perfect for busy holiday baking, cookie swaps, classroom parties, or a weekend decorating session with kids.
What makes these cookies different from many classic cut-out sugar cookies is the texture balance. They’re not crunchy like shortbread and not puffy like cake. Instead, they’re thick and soft with a fine, buttery crumb, and they hold their shapes beautifully—trees look like trees, stars look like stars, and snowflakes keep all their little points. You’ll also love how forgiving this dough is: it rolls smoothly without cracking, lifts easily off the counter, and doesn’t spread into blobs in the oven.
Below you’ll find the complete recipe, plus the small details that guarantee success: the best butter temperature, rolling thickness, baking time cues, and icing options (from easy glaze to royal icing). By the end, you’ll be ready to bake a tray of cookies that look professional and taste like the holidays.
Ingredients (Makes about 24–36 cookies depending on cutter size)
For the Cookies
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1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened to cool room temperature
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1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
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1 large egg, room temperature
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract (use good vanilla—flavor matters here)
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1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional but highly recommended for “bakery sugar cookie” flavor)
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3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 tablespoons cornstarch (secret for softness + tender crumb)
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2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream) as needed for dough consistency
Optional for Decorating
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Royal icing (best for detailed designs)
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Simple vanilla glaze (fast and easy)
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Sprinkles, sanding sugar, edible pearls, gel food coloring
Equipment
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Stand mixer or hand mixer
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Rolling pin
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Cookie cutters
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Baking sheets + parchment paper
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Cooling rack
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Optional: piping bags and icing tips
