Delicious Christmas Butter Cookies – Ready in 20 Minutes!

These simple Christmas butter cookies are ideal for the holiday season! Ready in just 20 Ready in minutes with just 6 ingredients, dipped in chocolate, and finished with festive sprinkles!

These Christmas butter cookies are simple to make, ready in just 20 minutes with only 6 ingredients!

These are no-chill cookies, so you can bake them immediately. They bake in just 10 minutes and are ready to be decorated with Christmas sprinkles and chocolate once cooled. Simple, quick, and delicious!

Why this recipe is a winner

The flavor and texture of these Christmas cookies are incredible! This recipe is based on my classic butter cookie formula, which calls for European butter and cake flour for the best results.

If you don’t have European butter or cake flour, don’t worry you can easily substitute regular butter and all-purpose flour, and the cookies will still turn out delicious! I’ve made this adjustment several times with great results.

To achieve these lovely shapes, you’ll need a piping bag with a pastry tip and coupler. The dough is a bit sticky, so piping is essential to get the perfect shapes. I’ve included the recommended equipment in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Cake flour – Adds a light, delicate texture and an even crumb to these cookies. With less gluten than all-purpose flour, it helps prevent the cookies from becoming tough or chewy. If necessary, you can use all-purpose flour as a substitute.
• European-style butter – Recommended for its higher fat content and lower water content compared to regular butter. This creates a richer flavor and helps keep the dough from becoming too elastic. Regular unsalted butter can be used as a substitute.
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Chocolate ganache
• Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Butter Cookie Dough
   • Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy, and the sugar is fully dissolved about 3 minutes with a stand or hand mixer. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until fully incorporated, about 1 minute.
     • ½ cup white sugar
     • Pinch of salt
     • 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter
     • 1 large egg
     • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
   • Add flour: Sift the cake flour and gradually add it in three portions, mixing after each addition until fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and sticky. Take care not to overmix to prevent excessive gluten development. If the dough feels too thick to pipe, add a few drops of milk.
     • 1 ⅔ cups cake flour
3. Pipe Cookie Shapes
   • Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip for easy piping. (I recommend Ateco 846 or Ateco 844 tips).Place parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet. Pipe 2-inch cookies into rosettes, straight lines, or any shape you prefer.
   • Tip: If the dough is hard to pipe, gently knead the dough in the piping bag with your hands to soften it.
4. Bake
   • Bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool fully before dipping them in chocolate.
5. Decorate
   • Make the ganache: Break the chocolate bar into small pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl with the heavy cream. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each. When the chocolate is mostly melted, stir until it becomes a smooth, silky ganache. This makes about ¾ cup of ganache.
     • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate bar
     • ½ cup heavy cream
   • Dip each cookie into the ganache and place it flat on parchment paper. Before the chocolate sets, add sprinkles or decorate with Christmas icing. Enjoy!
     • Christmas sprinkles

How to Make Easy Christmas Butter Cookies:

1- Start by softening your butter. I recommend leaving it out at room temperature, or you can cut it into small pieces and microwave it for 5 seconds at a time just be sure not to melt it.

2- Using a hand mixer or whisk, cream the butter, sugar, and salt together until the sugar has fully dissolved. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.

3- Sift in the cake flour and mix slowly until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as the dough will become sticky at this point.

4- Place the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large closed star tip and secured with a coupler. Pipe various shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5- Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.

6- Allow the cookies to cool completely before dipping them into the chocolate ganache. After dipping, place the cookies flat on parchment paper to set.

7- Sprinkle the Christmas sprinkles on before the chocolate hardens.

8- Allow the chocolate to fully set before serving. This recipe makes approximately 40 cookies.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• European butter provides the best results due to its higher dairy fat and lower water content.
• Add the holiday sprinkles while the chocolate ganache is still wet for better adherence.
• For a twist, try dipping the cookies in melted white chocolate.
• Use cake flour, as it has less gluten than all-purpose flour, resulting in delicate cookies with a softer texture.
• Consider decorating these cookies with icing or frosting for extra flair!
• Avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing activates gluten, which can make the cookies tough and chewy. These should be soft and delicate, with just a hint of crispness when bitten into.

Commonly Asked Questions

What distinguishes butter cookies, shortbread cookies, and sugar cookies?

The main difference between butter cookies, shortbread cookies, and sugar cookies lies in the varying proportions of butter, sugar, and flour used in each recipe.

Shortbread cookies have the highest butter-to-flour ratio, giving them a crumbly texture and making them more fragile.

In contrast, butter cookies are more durable and less likely to break, making them ideal for gift packaging!

Sugar cookies have the lowest butter-to-flour ratio, which also makes them perfect for gifting. These cookies are often rolled flat and cut into various shapes using cookie cutters, making them a great option for holiday icing decorations!

How long do these Christmas cookies stay fresh?

These cookies are best enjoyed within a week when stored in an airtight container. Be sure to let them cool completely before placing them in the container to prevent trapped moisture.

Pair these with this deliciously creamy hot chocolate recipe and savor the holiday season!

Additional recipes to explore:

• Chex mix recipe sweet : easy snacks
• Top Italian Sides to Complement Your Main Course

Craving something sweet? Try these easy Christmas butter cookies! 🎄🍪, subscribe in facebook and pinterest and instagram for more sweet and easy recipes.