Let’s be real—no holiday season is complete without a plate piled high with sugar cookies. But not just any sugar cookies. We’re talking thick, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth soft cookies that are sturdy enough to decorate, but fluffy enough to feel like little sugar clouds. Sounds dreamy? That’s exactly what these Soft & Pillowy Christmas Sugar Cookies are all about!
Whether you’re baking for Santa, sharing with friends, or making memories with family in the kitchen, these cookies are the perfect festive treat. And let’s not forget how pretty they look—just like the photo, with pastel icing and cheerful sprinkles in red, green, and white. 🌟
🎁 Why These Sugar Cookies Are Different
You might’ve tried sugar cookies before and ended up with dry, crumbly, or weirdly puffy results. Or maybe the cookies spread into unrecognizable blobs when baked. Ugh, the struggle.
These cookies? Nope. They’re soft, they hold their shape, and they taste like vanilla heaven. The secret? A touch of sour cream or Greek yogurt in the dough. That one ingredient is the game-changer that gives these cookies their signature pillowy texture and makes them stay tender for days.
And we’re not rolling these razor-thin either. At ¼-inch thick, these cookies bake up substantial enough to stay fluffy and soft—just like you see in the photo!
🍪 What Makes a Sugar Cookie “Perfect”?
A perfect Christmas sugar cookie should:
- Hold its shape after cutting and baking
- Stay soft for days (no crunchy bites here!)
- Be lightly golden on the bottom, pale on top
- Taste buttery, sweet, and subtly vanilla-y
- Be easy to decorate with icing and sprinkles
And guess what? These check all the boxes. They’re soft but sturdy, flavorful but not overly sweet, and they make decorating fun—not frustrating.
🧰 Must-Have Tools for Cut-Out Cookies
Before diving in, here are some tools that’ll make life easier:
- Rolling pin
- Star- or snowflake-shaped cookie cutters (like in the image)
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cooling rack
- Small spatulas or spoons for icing
Having these tools ready helps make the process smooth—and keeps cleanup minimal. Major win.
🛒 Ingredients Breakdown & Substitutes
Butter
You’ll want unsalted, softened butter for the base. Room temperature is key—it should be soft enough to press with your finger, but not melty.
Substitute tip: If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon.
Sugar
Classic granulated sugar is perfect. It adds sweetness without messing with the texture.
Egg
Just one large egg, at room temp. This helps the dough bind and bake evenly.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt
This is the superstar. Adding ¼ cup of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt ensures your cookies stay moist and soft for days.
Bonus: Greek yogurt makes it a bit protein-packed, so maybe they’re kinda healthy… right?
Vanilla Extract
Use real vanilla extract if you can—it makes a difference.
Flour, Baking Powder & Salt
- Use all-purpose flour (2¾ cups)
- Baking powder helps give them a gentle rise
- Salt balances out the sweetness
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale. Don’t skimp here—this step creates air in the dough that leads to soft cookies.
2. Add Egg, Vanilla & Sour Cream
Beat in the egg, vanilla, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine Wet & Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring until a soft but not sticky dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.
5. Chill That Dough!
This step is a MUST. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). Chilling makes the dough easier to roll and helps the cookies hold their shape.
🍬 Rolling, Cutting & Baking: Secrets to Success
Roll It Right
Take one disc out of the fridge and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before rolling—it should still be cold, but workable.
Roll it to ¼ inch thickness—that’s the sweet spot. Thick enough to stay soft, thin enough to bake evenly.
Cut Out Shapes
Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters—stars and snowflakes like in the photo are super festive. Dip your cutters in flour to prevent sticking.
Line Your Baking Sheet
Use parchment paper or a silicone mat so the cookies bake evenly and don’t brown too quickly.
⏲️ Bake Like a Pro
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. The cookies should look set but pale. You do not want them golden brown.
Pro Tip: The bottom should be just barely golden, the tops should be soft and puffy.
Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Patience pays off.
🍥 The Best Icing for Decorating Cut-Out Cookies
Now the fun begins—decorating! These cookies are topped with a simple glaze-style icing that’s:
- Easy to mix
- Smooth and shiny
- Perfect for spreading (not piping)
- Dries with a pretty finish (just like the photo!)
Simple Icing Recipe:
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (gel colors are best)
- Sprinkles galore!
Mix until smooth and spreadable—not too runny. Divide into bowls, tint with colors (red, green, and white like the photo), and decorate with sprinkles right away before it sets.
✨ Sprinkles, Sparkles & Toppings: Let’s Get Festive!
Once you’ve got your icing ready and cookies cooled, it’s time for the best part—decorating! The beauty of these sugar cookies is how well they hold up to toppings and creativity. The smooth surface of the icing makes the perfect canvas for colorful fun.
Sprinkle Tips:
- Decorate while the icing is still wet so the sprinkles stick.
- Use holiday-themed sprinkles—red, green, white, and metallics pop beautifully against the pastel icing.
- Mix textures: tiny sugar pearls, jimmies, and nonpareils make the cookies look like mini holiday art.
Want to match the cookies in the photo? Go for soft pastel icing in red, green, and white shades, then top with coordinating sprinkles in red/white/green combos. The contrast between the matte icing and shiny sprinkles is what makes them look bakery-level festive!
📦 How to Store Your Cookies for Maximum Softness
Once your cookies are decorated and dry, store them in an airtight container. Here’s how to keep them soft and fresh for up to 5 days:
- Layer with parchment paper if stacking to protect the icing.
- Room temperature is best—avoid the fridge, which can dry them out.
- Add a slice of bread to the container to maintain moisture (classic trick!).
Planning ahead for a party? Bake the cookies, cool completely, and decorate the day before. That way, the icing sets perfectly, and you’re stress-free.
Print
Soft & Pillowy Christmas Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Style)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts · Holiday Baking · Christmas Cookies
Description
🎄✨ The ultimate Christmas sugar cookies for decorating! Thick, tender, and cloud-soft with perfectly defined shapes that stay fluffy for days. These cookies bake up pale and beautiful—just like the festive cookies you see in the photo. Perfect for icing, gifting, and holiday memories! 🍪❄️
Ingredients
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
1 cup granulated sugar 🍚
1 large egg, room temperature 🥚
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract 🌼
¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt ⭐
2¾ cups all-purpose flour 🌾
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt 🧂
Instructions
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). 🌀
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream, mixing until smooth and creamy (1–2 minutes). 🥣
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt (1 minute).
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft, non-sticky dough forms (2 minutes).
Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap well, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up ❄️⏳.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut into festive shapes 🎄⭐ (10 minutes).
Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until set and pale—do not let them brown 🚫🔥.
Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating (15–20 minutes). 🍥
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential to keep the cookies thick and prevent spreading during baking ❄️.
Sour cream or Greek yogurt is the secret to their soft, pillowy texture—don’t skip it ⭐.
Roll the dough evenly to ¼-inch thickness for uniform baking and perfectly shaped cookies.
Bake just until set and pale; overbaking will dry them out 🚫🔥.
Let cookies cool completely before icing to avoid melting or sliding decorations.
These cookies stay soft for several days when stored in an airtight container, making them ideal for gifting 🎁🍪.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20–24 cookies
- Calories: 180 kcal per cookie
🧊 Make-Ahead Tips & Freezing Instructions
You can totally make these ahead of time. Here’s how:
Freeze the Dough
- After chilling the dough discs, wrap them in plastic + foil.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight, then roll and bake as usual.
Freeze Baked Cookies
- Bake and cool the cookies (don’t decorate).
- Freeze in a single layer, then stack in a freezer-safe container.
- Decorate after thawing to keep the icing looking fresh.
This is a lifesaver for December chaos—bake now, decorate later!
You may also like :
No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies (Caramel-Style) – The Ultimate Holiday Treat
Italian Ricotta Cookies Recipe 🍋🍪 – Soft, Pillowy & Perfectly Glazed for the Holidays
😬 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced bakers run into cookie chaos! Here are the biggest sugar cookie mistakes—and how to dodge them:
1. Not Chilling the Dough
Skipping this step = cookies that spread and lose shape. Always chill for at least an hour.
2. Overbaking
Remember, these cookies should not be golden brown! Take them out as soon as the edges look set.
3. Rolling Too Thin
This makes the cookies dry out and become crispy. Stick with ¼ inch thick for that perfect soft bite.
4. Using Too Much Flour When Rolling
Too much extra flour can make the cookies tough. Lightly flour the surface, but don’t go overboard.
5. Icing Before Cookies Cool
Warm cookies + icing = a melted mess. Let them cool completely!
👨👩👧👦 Kid-Friendly & Family Fun Ideas
These cookies are ideal for a holiday baking day with the whole crew! Here’s how to make it a festive memory:
- Set up a “cookie decorating station” with bowls of icing and toppings.
- Let kids pick their own colors and sprinkles.
- Use edible glitter for extra holiday sparkle.
- Play some Christmas music and make it a tradition!
Best part? The cookies are sturdy enough for little hands to decorate without crumbling.
🎉 Conclusion: Bake the Joy Into Your Holiday Season
There’s something magical about baking cookies that look as good as they taste—especially around the holidays. These Soft & Pillowy Christmas Sugar Cookies are everything you want in a festive treat: buttery, thick, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and perfect for decorating with your favorite holiday designs.
With the secret touch of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a carefully chilled dough, and just the right thickness, you’ll have cookies that look like they came from a bakery—just like the photo—and taste even better. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a party, wrapping them up as gifts, or leaving a plate out for Santa, these cookies are sure to be the highlight of your holiday baking.
So grab your cutters, your sprinkles, and your holiday cheer—it’s time to create something deliciously festive. 🎄🍪
Similar recipes :
🎄 Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Holiday Delight
Caramel White-Chocolate Shortbread Christmas Cookies Recipe
❓ FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be chilled for up to 2 days in the fridge or frozen for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking.
2. Can I use cream cheese instead of sour cream or Greek yogurt?
You can try it, but it will slightly change the texture and flavor. Sour cream or yogurt gives a lighter, fluffier result.
3. My cookies puffed up too much—what went wrong?
Too much baking powder or overmixing can cause puffiness. Make sure to measure carefully and don’t overwork the dough.
4. How do I make the icing thicker or thinner?
Add more powdered sugar to thicken, more milk to thin. The ideal consistency is spreadable but not runny.
5. How long do these cookies stay soft?
Stored properly, they’ll stay soft for 4–5 days. You can also freeze them (undecorated) for even longer freshness.
