Oh, the magic of Christmas baking! There’s nothing quite like filling your kitchen with the sweet aroma of freshly baked Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars. I remember the first time I made these with my kids—they were so excited to cut out star shapes and sprinkle them with sugar, their giggles echoing as we decorated each cookie. These cookies are a delightful blend of crisp edges and soft centers, making them the perfect festive treat. Whether you’re sharing them at a holiday gathering or leaving them out for Santa, they’re sure to bring smiles all around. Trust me, you’ll want to make these every year!
Ingredients
To whip up these delightful Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Start with 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour for that perfect cookie base. Don’t forget 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder to give them the right lift. For the magic, grab 1 cup unsalted butter, softened for that creamy texture, and 1 1/2 cups white sugar to make them sweet and irresistible. You’ll also need 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 3/4 teaspoon almond extract for flavor. Lastly, keep 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar for decoration handy to sprinkle on top before baking. Let’s get this cookie party started!
How to Prepare Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars
Getting ready to make these Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars is so much fun! First things first, let’s preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden. I always get my kids involved at this point—they love watching the oven warm up!
Preheat the Oven
Preheating your oven is key to achieving that delightful texture we all love in cookies. If you skip this step, your cookies might spread too much and lose their lovely star shape. So, set that temperature and let’s get baking!
Mixing the Dough
Now, grab a large bowl and cream together the softened unsalted butter and white sugar until it’s beautifully smooth. This is where the magic begins! Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Trust me, don’t overmix; we want those cookies to be tender!
Shaping the Cookies
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape those stars! Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass and sprinkle with sugar for that extra sparkle. Uniformity is key here, so try to keep each cookie about the same size for even baking!
Baking Instructions
Pop those trays in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look a little soft—that’s perfect! Let them cool on wire racks before indulging in the holiday magic.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making these Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars is a joy, and here’s why you’ll absolutely adore this recipe:
- They’re incredibly easy to whip up, even for baking beginners!
- Prep time is just 20 minutes, so you can make them quickly between holiday activities.
- These cookies bake in a flash—just 8 to 10 minutes in the oven!
- Their festive star shape makes them a delightful addition to any holiday spread.
- They’re perfect for decorating, whether you want to keep it simple or go all out with icing and sprinkles.
- Every bite is a sweet reminder of holiday cheer, making them irresistible!
Tips for Success
If you want your Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars to shine, here are some tips that’ll make all the difference! First, consider chilling your dough for about 30 minutes before rolling it out. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading. Also, feel free to mix things up with your cookie cutters! While stars are festive, holiday trees or snowflakes add a fun twist, too. And don’t shy away from getting creative with your decorations—try drizzling icing or adding colorful sprinkles for a cheerful touch. Trust me, these little extras will elevate your cookies to the next level!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each of these delightful Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars. Each cookie packs about 120 calories, with 6g of fat and 1g of protein. You’ll also find 10g of sugar and 15g of carbohydrates per cookie. Remember, these values are estimates and can vary based on your ingredients and portion sizes!
FAQ Section
I know you might have some questions about making these tasty Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars, so let’s tackle a few common ones! First off, how do you store them? Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to make them ahead of time, you can freeze the dough for up to a month—just thaw it in the fridge before baking. For substitutions, feel free to swap out the almond extract for more vanilla if you prefer, or try adding a hint of citrus zest for a fun twist! And as for decorating, icing and colorful sprinkles are always a hit, but you can also dip them in melted chocolate for a festive flair!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you have leftovers, you can also freeze them! Just wrap the cookies tightly in plastic wrap, and they’ll be good for up to three months. No need to reheat—enjoy them chilled or at room temperature for the best taste!
For more festive recipes, check out this collection of Christmas cookies!
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars: 8 Ways to Delight Your Holidays
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas sugar cookies shaped like stars.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass, and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Let cool on wire racks.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different cookie cutters for various shapes.
- Decorate with icing for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas Sugar Cookie Stars