Name: Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp Baking powder; 1/2 tsp Baking soda; 1 tsp Salt; 1/3 cup Christmas sprinkles (use Jimmie sprinkles); 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 1/4 cup White granulated sugar; 2 Large eggs, room temperature; 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract; 3 cups Powdered sugar, sifted; 1 tbsp Pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; 2 tbsp Heavy cream; 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature; Extra sprinkles for topping

If you’re looking for a festive treat that everyone will adore, I absolutely love sharing this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe. These cookies are soft, buttery, packed with cheerful sprinkles, and topped with a dreamy whipped frosting that melts in your mouth. When I first tried this combo, I knew I had found a holiday winner that’s perfect for baking with family or delighting guests at your Christmas party. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail these charming cookies yourself!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Soft & Chewy: These sugar cookies strike the ideal balance between tender and chewy, every single time.
Whipped Frosting Magic: The light, fluffy frosting takes these cookies from ordinary to unforgettable.
Festive & Fun: The Christmas sprinkles scattered right in the dough add such a joyful, colorful touch that kids and adults alike go crazy for.
Easy to Personalize: Whether you want to change up flavors or decorations, this recipe is your blank canvas to create holiday goodies your way.

The image shows a close-up of a soft, round cookie with two main layers. The bottom layer is a light beige cookie with small red and green specks inside, giving it a festive look. On top is a thick, creamy white frosting layer spread in a swirling pattern that starts from the center and moves outward. The frosting is decorated with small round sprinkles in red, green, and white, along with tiny golden square sprinkles scattered evenly across the surface. The cookies rest on a white ceramic plate with an off-white rim featuring a carved pattern. The background has a white marbled texture with parts of some holiday decorations barely visible on the sides. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting, festive holiday cookies, Christmas cookie recipes, soft and chewy sugar cookies, holiday baking treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic here happens because these ingredients work in harmony to create a classic cookie dough that holds up beautifully under that luscious whipped frosting. When shopping, make sure to grab quality butter and fresh sprinkles—trust me, it makes a difference!

Flat lay of a mound of all-purpose flour in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas jimmie sprinkles, a stick of unsalted butter with a soft texture resting on the ceramic surface, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white bowl of sifted powdered sugar, a small white bowl containing heavy cream, and a small white bowl holding a pinch of salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting, festive holiday cookies, Christmas cookie recipes, soft and chewy sugar cookies, holiday baking treats

All-purpose flour: I always sift mine for an extra light texture and to avoid lumps.
Baking powder & Baking soda: These little leaveners give the cookies just enough lift without puffing them up too much.
Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the buttery flavor.
Christmas sprinkles (Jimmie sprinkles): Using Jimmies keeps the bright colors without the mess of sanding sugar.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter cream-whips better and ensures the dough binds perfectly.
White granulated sugar: Gives that classic sweetness and slightly crunchy bite.
Large eggs: Adds richness and moisture; using eggs at room temp helps with better mixing.
Pure vanilla extract: The aroma and flavor here are everything—use quality vanilla!
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Always sifted to prevent clumps and keep the frosting silky smooth.
Heavy cream: Adds creaminess and helps whip the frosting to the perfect fluff.
Pinch of salt (in frosting): It’s a small addition but balances the sweetness beautifully.
Extra sprinkles (for topping): Because why not add a bit more sparkle on top?

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe is. Sometimes I swap sprinkles for crushed peppermint for a minty twist, or add a touch of almond extract instead of vanilla just for a subtle change. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite!

Gluten-Free Variation: I once successfully used a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose, and the texture was surprisingly just as satisfying.
Vegan Adaptation: I haven’t tried this myself yet, but swapping butter for vegan margarine and using a flax egg could work well.
Flavor Boost: Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough can give your cookies a cozy holiday vibe that’s irresistible.
Sprinkle Swap: You can use themed sprinkles for other holidays or occasions—it’s all about the fun and aesthetics!

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles Together

Start by sifting the all-purpose flour into a large bowl. Then mix in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and—here’s the fun part—the Christmas Jimmie sprinkles. This ensures the sprinkles get evenly distributed so each cookie has a festive pop of color. I discovered this trick when I found sprinkles would otherwise clump in some spots and leave other cookies plain.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Using a mixer, beat your room temperature butter and sugar on high for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Then add the vanilla extract and eggs, beating again on high for a minute. This part is crucial because it aerates the dough and helps keep the cookies soft after baking. If your butter’s too cold or you skimp on mixing time, the cookies might turn out dense—which I’ve totally done before!

Step 3: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients and Chill

Next, slowly add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients on low speed so you don’t overmix. Once combined, let the dough rest for 10 minutes to allow the gluten to form properly—this little pause makes a big difference. Then, using a large cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheets and chill for 30 minutes. Chilling chills tightens the dough and prevents spreading, giving you perfectly thick cookies. You’ll love the control this gives you!

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange six cookie dough balls per sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges are just lightly golden. You’ll want to watch them closely during the last few minutes because overbaking can make them too crisp. Let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before moving them to a cooling rack. This was a game-changer for me—I used to transfer too soon and risk crumbly cookies!

Step 5: Whip Up the Fluffy Frosting

While the cookies cool, sift the powdered sugar for the frosting. Then beat the butter on high for 3 minutes until silky. Slowly add the powdered sugar while mixing, then incorporate the vanilla, pinch of salt, and heavy cream. Beat on high for 2 more minutes until fluffy and smooth. This frosting is what makes these cookies stand out—it’s light enough not to overpower but rich enough to spoil you!

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Use a small cookie scoop or piping bag to dollop the whipped frosting onto each cookie. Then spread it gently with an offset spatula and finish with extra sprinkles on top for that signature festive look. The first time I tried frosting with a regular spoon, it was a mess—trust me on the offset spatula for even coverage and minimal frustration.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe

Room Temperature Butter is Key: Letting your butter sit out softens it just right to cream well and create that fluffy cookie texture.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling dough before baking prevents cookies from spreading too thin and keeps them soft but sturdy.
Use an Offset Spatula for Frosting: It makes spreading smooth frosting easy and keeps your cookies looking professional.
Watch the Baking Time Closely: Take cookies out just as edges turn golden because they keep cooking slightly off the heat.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe

The image shows three soft cookies with one stacked on top of the other two, which are side by side. Each cookie has two layers: a thick, light golden base with scattered red and green bits, and a thick, creamy white frosting on top. The frosting is swirled smoothly and sprinkled with small, round, red, green, white, and gold dots for decoration. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface that contrasts with their warm colors. In the background, more cookies are visible, adding depth to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting, festive holiday cookies, Christmas cookie recipes, soft and chewy sugar cookies, holiday baking treats

Garnishes

I usually stick with extra Christmas sprinkles on top for that sparkle, but sometimes I mix it up with crushed candy canes or edible glitter. These tiny details really impress guests and add a personalized touch. My family loves when I switch between sprinkles and peppermint for a refreshing surprise each year.

Side Dishes

Of course, these cookies pair perfectly with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a spiced holiday latte. If you want to go savory alongside, a small cheese board with nuts and dried fruit makes a lovely companion for cookie platters during parties.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange the cookies on a tiered dessert stand for immediate eye candy appeal. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons is also a hit when gifting neighbors or coworkers. Presentation really makes these cookies feel extra special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, I find the best way to store leftover cookies is in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer parchment paper between them to stop sticking or frosting smudging. Leftovers stay fresh for up to 5 days, and the cookies somehow even taste better after a day when the flavors meld.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unfrosted cookie dough balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transferred them to zip bags for up to 3 months. When ready, just thaw and bake as usual. Frosted cookies don’t freeze as well because the whipped frosting softens, but if you must, flash freeze them uncovered, then wrap tightly. Defrost carefully in the fridge.

Reheating

If you want warm cookies, just pop the unfrosted ones in a 300°F oven for a few minutes before frosting. For leftovers, room temperature is best since the whipped frosting is delicate—if slightly chilled, let them sit out a bit. Skip microwaves to avoid melting the frosting into a mess.

FAQs

Can I make Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the cookie dough and chill or freeze it ahead of time. The cookies themselves also keep well unfrosted for a few days, so you can bake and frost just before serving for the freshest taste.
What if I don’t have heavy cream for the frosting?

If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute whole milk, but your frosting won’t be as fluffy. Sometimes a spoonful of cream cheese also adds a nice tang and consistency, if you’re up for a slight tweak.
Why do my sugar cookies spread too much?

Make sure to chill your dough before baking—that’s the key step I learned that prevents cookies from spreading too thin. Also, don’t over-cream the butter and sugar and try not to use too much butter relative to flour.
Can I use different sprinkles or decorations?

Absolutely! I love customizing with various sprinkles, colored sugar, or even edible glitter. Just make sure your sprinkles are meant for baking and can hold up to the oven’s heat.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sugar Cookies with Whipped Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it brings together the joy of decorating with the simple comfort of classic sugar cookies. I hope you’ll find these easy steps and my tips helpful to create your own batch of festive treats that bring smiles around your kitchen table. If you love baking memories as much as I do, this recipe will be your new go-to for holiday cheer!