Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies – Easy & Festive Holiday Recipe

Slice and bake Christmas cookies are the ultimate holiday lifesaver when you’re juggling decorating, gift-wrapping, and endless family gatherings. Picture this: it’s 9 PM, you just remembered you promised to bring homemade treats to tomorrow’s office party, and your kitchen looks like a flour bomb went off from earlier baking adventures.

Instead of panicking or reaching for store-bought cookies, imagine pulling perfectly shaped, golden-brown festive cookie ideas from your oven in under an hour. That’s the magic of these quick Christmas cookies – they deliver all the warmth and love of homemade holiday treats without the stress or time commitment of traditional cookie recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Last December, my neighbor Sarah knocked on my door at 7 AM, practically in tears. Her daughter’s class party was that afternoon, and she’d completely forgotten about bringing Christmas cookies. I handed her a roll of my slice and bake dough from the freezer, and by 8 AM, she was pulling two dozen perfect cookies from her oven. The relief on her face was priceless, and her daughter’s classmates couldn’t believe these weren’t made from scratch hours earlier.

This easy holiday cookie recipe has become my secret weapon for busy holiday seasons. The beauty lies in making the dough ahead when you have time, then slicing and baking whenever life demands fresh cookies. Whether you’re dealing with unexpected guests, last-minute potlucks, or simply craving warm Christmas cookie baking tips that actually work, this recipe delivers consistent results every single time.

Looking to complete your holiday meal planning? Explore more quick & easy dinner recipes here to create memorable holiday gatherings from start to finish.

Ingredients List

Creating perfect sugar cookies starts with quality ingredients measured precisely. Here’s everything you’ll need for these delicious homemade holiday treats:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
All purpose flour (spooned and leveled)	2 ½ cups	Avoid packing for accurate measurement
Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature	¾ cups	Should leave slight fingerprint when pressed
Granulated sugar	1 cup	Regular white sugar works best
Large eggs	2	Room temperature eggs mix easier
Baking powder	1 teaspoon	Check expiration date for best rise
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	Pure vanilla preferred over imitation
Kosher salt	½ teaspoon	Enhances sweetness and flavor balance
Food coloring (gel or natural)	A few drops	Optional for festive colors

Need inspiration for complete holiday meals? Find more quick lunch ideas here to keep your holiday entertaining stress-free and delicious.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. 
   

   Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. The mixture should look pale and airy.

   
   
2. 
   

   Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract until combined.

   
   
3. 
   

   Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.

   
   
4. 
   

   Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.

   
   
5. 
   

   Add color (optional): If using food coloring, add a few drops and mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

   
   
6. 
   

   Shape the dough: Divide dough in half and roll each portion into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper.

   
   
7. 
   

   Chill the dough: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes until firm enough to slice cleanly.

   
   
8. 
   

   Preheat and slice: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Using a sharp knife, slice dough into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.

   
   
9. 
   

   Bake to perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Centers should still look slightly soft.

   
   
10. 
    

    Cool completely: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

    
    

Exact Timing to make Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Chilling Time: 2 hours (or 30 minutes in freezer)
• Baking Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
• Cooling Time: 15 minutes
• Total Active Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including chilling)

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Per Cookie (makes 36)	% Daily Value
Calories	95	5%
Total Fat	4.2g	6%
Saturated Fat	2.6g	13%
Cholesterol	18mg	6%
Sodium	45mg	2%
Total Carbohydrates	15g	5%
Dietary Fiber	0.4g	2%
Total Sugars	6g	–
Added Sugars	5.5g	11%
Protein	1.8g	4%

*Nutritional data based on USDA guidelines and standard ingredient compositions. Values may vary depending on specific brands and preparation methods used.

Healthier Alternatives

Transform your Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies into more nutritious treats without sacrificing flavor using these smart ingredient swaps:

Original Ingredient	Healthier Alternative	Benefit	Ratio
All-purpose flour	Whole wheat pastry flour	Added fiber and nutrients	1:1 substitution
Granulated sugar	Coconut sugar or maple syrup	Lower glycemic index	¾ cup coconut sugar or ½ cup maple syrup
Unsalted butter	Greek yogurt + coconut oil	Reduced saturated fat, added protein	½ cup Greek yogurt + ¼ cup melted coconut oil
Regular eggs	Flax eggs	Plant-based, omega-3 fatty acids	2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water
White flour (portion)	Almond flour	Higher protein, gluten-free option	Replace up to ½ cup with almond flour
Artificial food coloring	Natural colorants	No synthetic additives	Beet powder (red), spirulina (green), turmeric (yellow)

Want to expand your holiday dessert repertoire? Find more Desserts ideas here for additional nutritious and delicious treats.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Cookie Platters: Arrange Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies on festive platters alongside traditional favorites like gingerbread and sugar cookies. Create visual appeal by alternating colors and shapes, and dust lightly with powdered sugar for a snow-kissed effect.

Warm Cookie Bar Station: Set up a DIY decorating station with cooled cookies, various colored icings, sprinkles, and mini chocolate chips. This interactive element makes holiday parties more engaging while letting guests personalize their treats.

Gift Packaging Ideas: Layer cookies in decorative tins with parchment paper, or package in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. These homemade treats make thoughtful neighbor gifts or teacher appreciation presents during the holiday season.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Slicing Warm Dough: The most frequent error is attempting to slice dough before it’s properly chilled. Soft dough will squish and create misshapen cookies. Always ensure the dough log is firm to the touch before slicing – this guarantees clean, uniform rounds that bake evenly.

Overbaking: Watch for lightly golden edges rather than waiting for centers to brown. Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven. Overbaked cookies become dry and lose their tender texture, so err on the side of slightly underdone.

Uneven Thickness: Inconsistent slice thickness leads to unevenly baked cookies – some burnt, others underdone. Use a ruler or mark your knife to maintain consistent ¼-inch slices throughout each log for professional-looking results.

Storing Tips

Room Temperature Storage: Store completely cooled cookies in airtight containers at room temperature for up to one week. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking, and add a slice of bread to maintain moisture if cookies start to dry out.

Freezer-Friendly Options: Unbaked dough logs can be frozen for up to three months when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Label with date and flavor, then slice and bake directly from frozen – just add 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.

Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare multiple dough logs during less busy times, then freeze them individually. This allows you to have fresh Slice and Bake Christmas Cookies ready whenever needed throughout the holiday season without starting from scratch.

FAQs

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