If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that brings all the classic holiday vibes, you’ve got to try this Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out soft, buttery, and topped with that creamy, dreamy frosting that’s just begging to be decorated with sprinkles. When I first tried this recipe, it instantly became our holiday staple – the kind of cookie everyone fights over (in a good way!). Trust me, once you bake these, you’ll want to make them every Christmas season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, Tender Cookies: Thanks to the instant pudding in the dough, these cookies stay soft and chewy for days.
- Easy to Frost and Decorate: The fluffy frosting spreads like a dream and holds up beautifully under sprinkles.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the dough in advance, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday days.
- Super Versatile: Customize the frosting colors and decorations to fit your holiday vibe perfectly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe really comes from using the right balance of ingredients that keep the cookies soft while giving you that perfect, smooth frosting. Plus, using both butter and shortening in the cookie dough is a trick I swear by for optimal texture.
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter blends seamlessly into the dough and frosting for creaminess.
- Shortening: Helps keep the cookies tender and contributes to a light texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to spreading in the dough.
- Eggs: Always use room temperature eggs for better mixing and texture.
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla gives that warm, comforting flavor that screams holiday.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie structure; measure carefully to avoid dryness.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: This secret ingredient keeps the cookies soft and adds a subtle vanilla flavor.
- Baking powder: Provides a little lift so the cookies aren’t flat.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights flavors.
- Confectioners sugar: The base of the frosting for that silky smooth finish.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and helps achieve that perfect frosting consistency.
- Gel food coloring (optional): Use to create fun, festive colors without watering down the frosting.
- Sprinkles (optional): Because what’s a holiday cookie without a little sparkle?
Variations
I love how versatile this Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe is – once you’ve mastered the basic dough and frosting, feel free to make it your own. I often play around with flavors and decorations depending on our holiday mood or the party theme.
- Spiced Up: One year I added a teaspoon of cinnamon and nutmeg to the cookie dough for that cozy holiday warmth just perfect for chilly evenings.
- Chocolate Delight: Swapped half the flour for cocoa powder and used chocolate pudding mix – my family went crazy for this twist!
- Gluten-Free: I’ve used a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour substitution with great results, just be sure to check the pudding mix for gluten-free certification.
- Vegan Version: Try a plant-based butter substitute, flax eggs in place of eggs, and vegan pudding mix to keep things festive yet animal-friendly.
How to Make Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter, Shortening, and Sugar Until Fluffy
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the butter, shortening, and sugar for about 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, giving the cookies that tender texture you’ll love. I learned the hard way that rushing this part leaves you with dense cookies, so take your time!
Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Instant Pudding Mix
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and instant vanilla pudding mix. You’ll notice the dough thickens nicely here, which is a good sign. I always make sure my eggs are at room temperature before adding to prevent the dough from seizing up. This little tip helps keep your cookie texture smooth.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Gradually
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing just until combined after each addition. Overmixing here can make your cookies tough—use a gentle folding motion or low mixer speed. I’ve found that stopping as soon as the flour disappears leads to perfectly tender cookies.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough, then roll each ball and place on your baking sheets about 2 inches apart. This spacing is key since the cookies will spread a little. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers still look soft. I like to take them out slightly earlier than the recipe says because they continue baking as they cool, which keeps them soft and chewy.
Step 5: Make the Frosting and Decorate
While the cookies cool completely on a rack, make the frosting by beating butter until fluffy, then gradually adding confectioners sugar and heavy cream, alternating between the two. Mix in vanilla and salt, then divide the frosting into bowls for coloring if you like. Use gel food coloring for vibrant hues without thinning your frosting. Spread a generous amount of frosting on each cookie and sprinkle with your favorite festive sprinkles immediately. I discovered that frosting warm cookies melts the icing too much, so patience really pays off here!
Pro Tips for Making Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Perfect Measuring: Always spoon and level your flour instead of scooping directly to avoid dense cookies.
- Room Temp Ingredients: I learned that butter and eggs at room temperature incorporate better and make smoother dough.
- Frosting Consistency Check: If frosting feels too thick, add an extra splash of heavy cream a teaspoon at a time for spreadability.
- Bake Timing: Don’t overbake; cookies firm up as they cool, keeping them soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
How to Serve Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
When it comes to garnish, I like to keep it classic with multicolored sprinkles and edible glitter that add sparkle with every bite. Sometimes I add crushed peppermint candies or mini chocolate chips for extra texture and a holiday flair. I find these garnishes not only look festive but give a delightful crunch that contrasts nicely with the creamy frosting.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm cup of eggnog, hot cocoa with marshmallows, or even a classic Christmas punch. I also love serving them alongside a cheese platter with nuts and fruits for a beautiful holiday spread. The cookies complement sweet and savory flavors, making them a crowd favorite.
Creative Ways to Present
One holiday, I arranged these cookies on a tiered cake stand surrounded by pine sprigs and cranberries for a festive centerpiece. Wrapping individual cookies in colorful cellophane bags tied with twine also makes for charming edible gifts. You can get really creative by shaping the dough with different cookie cutters or piping designs with colored frosting to suit your holiday theme.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover Frosted Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between each layer so the frosting doesn’t stick. They keep beautifully soft for up to 4 days this way. If I’m not planning to finish them soon, I pop them in the fridge for up to a week, though you might want to let them come to room temp before enjoying.
Freezing
Freezing works great for both the dough and frosted cookies. I often make big batches ahead, freezing the dough balls on a sheet pan before transferring to freezer bags (good for up to 3 months). For frosted cookies, I freeze them layered with parchment paper in a sealed container. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results, and the frosting holds up surprisingly well.
Reheating
To revive cookies from the fridge or freezer, I bring them to room temperature and lightly warm in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes—this refreshes their softness without melting the frosting. Avoid microwaving since it can make cookies chewy or the frosting too runny.
FAQs
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Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake. For longer storage, freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months. This makes holiday baking much easier and less stressful.
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What if I don’t have instant pudding mix?
Instant pudding mix is key for keeping the cookies soft and adding subtle flavor. If you can’t find it, you could try replacing it with cornstarch (about 1 tablespoon) to help with texture, but the taste will be different. I recommend picking up a small box at the store for the best results.
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How do I get the frosting to be the right consistency for spreading?
Start by beating the butter until fluffy, then add powdered sugar and heavy cream gradually. If your frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon more heavy cream at a time until spreadable. Conversely, add more powdered sugar if it’s too thin. Using gel food coloring won’t affect the texture.
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Can I decorate these cookies with royal icing instead?
You certainly can! This recipe’s frosting is creamy and soft, ideal for casual decorating and spreading. Royal icing works for intricate designs but dries hard. If you want to use royal icing, be aware it changes the texture and flavor compared to the buttery frosting here.
Final Thoughts
Making this Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe always fills my kitchen with warmth and holiday cheer, and I hope it does the same for you. There’s something special about sharing these soft, sweet treats with family and friends that makes the season truly magical. Give this recipe a go – you’ll find it’s easy to follow, endlessly customizable, and simply delicious. Trust me, your holiday cookie platter won’t be complete without them!
Print
Frosted Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 27-30 minutes
- Yield: About 60 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Frosted Christmas Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with festive flavor. Made with a sweet vanilla pudding mix for extra moistness, these cookies are perfectly complemented by a creamy, buttery frosting that can be colored and decorated with sprinkles to celebrate the holiday season. Easy to prepare and bake, these cookies make an ideal treat for Christmas parties, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup shortening
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3.4 ounce instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons heavy cream (⅜ cup)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups confectioners sugar
- Gel food coloring, optional
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set them aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, shortening, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Flavoring: Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract and instant vanilla pudding mix until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the butter mixture a little at a time, mixing well between each addition until a soft dough forms.
- Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are set and lightly golden brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners sugar and heavy cream, alternating between the two, and mix thoroughly after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and salt and mix until fully incorporated.
- Color Frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls if using multiple colors. Stir in a few drops of gel food coloring into each bowl, adding more as needed until the desired shade is achieved.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread or pipe the frosting onto each cookie. Immediately top with sprinkles if desired for a festive touch.
- Set and Store: Allow the frosting to set before storing. Place cookies in an airtight container in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Your soft Christmas frosted cookies will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature or up to 1 week in the fridge.
- Store cookies in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent frosting from sticking.
- Cookie dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
