Baking Buttercream Christmas Cookies has been a beloved family tradition of mine for as long as I can remember. Every year, as the crisp winter air starts to set in and the festive decorations start popping up around town, I can’t help but feel a warm sense of nostalgia wash over me. It’s that time of year when the whole house fills with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies, and the kitchen becomes a hub of joyful activity.
I remember as a little girl, eagerly awaiting my turn to help my grandma roll out the dough and carefully shape the cookies into perfect little Christmas trees and wreaths. The concentration on her face as she delicately piped the buttercream frosting onto each cookie was mesmerizing, and the look of pure delight on her face when we’d finish decorating them was priceless. Those Buttercream Christmas Cookies were the centerpiece of our holiday celebrations, a tradition that brought our family together year after year.
Now, as an adult, I’ve inherited my grandma’s passion for baking these festive treats, and I can’t imagine a Christmas season without them. There’s just something so special about the combination of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies and the creamy, sweet buttercream that makes these Buttercream Christmas Cookies an absolute must-have for any holiday spread.
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Why This Buttercream Christmas Cookies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The Secret Behind Perfect Buttercream Christmas Cookies
What sets this Buttercream Christmas Cookies recipe apart is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The cookies themselves are made with a rich, buttery dough that bakes up with a delicate, almost shortbread-like crumb. But the real star of the show is the silky smooth buttercream frosting. By using a special technique, I’ve managed to create a buttercream that is light and airy, yet still incredibly creamy and indulgent. Trust me, one bite of these Buttercream Christmas Cookies, and you’ll be hooked!
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
– Unsalted butter: The foundation of the cookie dough and the buttercream frosting. Make sure it’s at room temperature for best results.
– Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie dough and helps create the perfect texture.
– Egg: Binds the dough together and adds richness.
– Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the Buttercream Christmas Cookies.
– All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies their sturdy, yet delicate structure.
– Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and maintain their shape.
– Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
– Heavy cream: The secret to the light and airy buttercream frosting.
– Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the buttercream.
Step-by-Step Buttercream Christmas Cookies Instructions
Preparing Your Buttercream Christmas Cookies
These Buttercream Christmas Cookies are surprisingly easy to make, and the results are truly impressive. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of beautifully decorated holiday treats that are sure to wow your friends and family. The total time to prepare these cookies is about 2 hours, and you’ll need a stand mixer, a piping bag, and a few basic baking tools.
1- Start by creaming the butter and sugar together in your stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
2- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms.
3- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
4- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
5- Transfer the shaped cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
6- Allow the Buttercream Christmas Cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before frosting. Once cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe the buttercream frosting onto each cookie in a decorative swirl.
Pro Tips for Success
The key to perfect Buttercream Christmas Cookies is to chill the dough thoroughly before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much. Additionally, be sure not to overbake the cookies, as you want them to remain soft and tender. When it comes to the buttercream, the secret is to whip the heavy cream until it’s light and fluffy before adding the powdered sugar. This creates a frosting that’s not too dense or heavy. Finally, have fun with the decorating! Get creative with different piping techniques and add sprinkles or other festive toppings to make each cookie unique.
Serving and Storing Your Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Buttercream Christmas Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat, and they pair beautifully with a variety of beverages. Serve them alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine for a cozy, festive pairing. They also make a lovely addition to a holiday tea or coffee bar, or you can simply enjoy them on their own as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. These cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a homemade gift for loved ones.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Buttercream Christmas Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like to make them ahead of time, you can prepare the dough and freeze it for up to 3 months. Simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling, cutting, and baking. The baked and frosted cookies can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Just be sure to place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Buttercream Christmas Cookies
Creative Buttercream Christmas Cookies Variations
While the classic Buttercream Christmas Cookies are always a hit, there are plenty of ways to put a unique spin on this festive treat. Try adding a hint of peppermint or almond extract to the buttercream for a festive flavor twist. You can also use different cookie cutter shapes, like snowflakes or reindeer, to change up the design. For a more sophisticated take, swap the traditional buttercream for a rich chocolate ganache or a tangy cream cheese frosting.
Making Buttercream Christmas Cookies Diet-Friendly
To make these Buttercream Christmas Cookies a bit more diet-friendly, you can try using a sugar substitute in the cookie dough and the buttercream frosting. Opt for a low-calorie sweetener that measures cup-for-cup like regular sugar. You can also experiment with gluten-free flour blends or almond flour to create a delicious, guilt-free version of these holiday favorites. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor may be slightly different from the original recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
A: While you can use salted butter, I recommend sticking with unsalted butter for this recipe. This allows you to have more control over the overall salt content in the Buttercream Christmas Cookies.
Q: How long do the cookies need to chill in the refrigerator?
A: The dough needs to chill for at least 30 minutes, but you can also make it up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.
Q: Can I freeze the baked and frosted Buttercream Christmas Cookies?
A: Yes, you can! The baked and frosted cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just be sure to place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Q: How many Buttercream Christmas Cookies does this recipe make?
A: This recipe will yield approximately 24-30 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Q: My buttercream frosting seems too thick. What can I do?
A: If your buttercream is too thick, simply add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream and beat it in until you reach the desired consistency.
Buttercream Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Indulge in the buttery richness of these Buttercream Christmas Cookies, a classic holiday treat that’s sure to delight your taste buds. With a smooth, creamy buttercream frosting and a festive touch of vibrant decorations, these cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
Ingredients
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp salt
– Buttercream frosting
– Food coloring (red and green)
– Sprinkles, nonpareils, and other decorations
Instructions
1. 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. 2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
5. 5. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
6. 6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. 7. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
8. 8. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets.
9. 9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. 10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11. Prepare the buttercream frosting and divide it into two bowls. Color one portion red and the other green.
12. 12. Pipe the colored buttercream onto the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles, nonpareils, and other festive toppings.
Notes
For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. You can also experiment with different cookie cutter shapes and decorations to make these cookies your own.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Baking Buttercream Christmas Cookies has always been one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I’m so excited to share this recipe with you. With its irresistible combination of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies and silky smooth buttercream frosting, this is sure to become a new family favorite. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your mixing bowls, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking! I can’t wait to see the beautiful, festive cookies you create. Don’t forget to share your creations with me – I’d love to see them!
