Oh, the holidays! There’s just nothing like that cozy feeling when the snow starts to fall and your kitchen starts to smell like pure magic. And for me, nothing screams “Christmas!” quite like a batch of absolutely perfect Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies. These aren’t fussy, they’re not complicated, they’re just pure, simple joy in cookie form. When I was little, my mom would make these every year, and the smell of the cinnamon and sugar would fill our whole house. Now, I get to do the same for my kids, and seeing their little faces light up when they take that first bite? It’s the best part of the season, trust me!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Seriously, these cookies are a game-changer when it comes to holiday baking. Here’s why you’ll be making them year after year:
- So Easy to Whip Up! If you’re short on time or just want a straightforward recipe, these are perfect. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry!
- That Irresistible Flavor: The simple combo of sweet dough and warm cinnamon sugar is just divine. It’s a classic for a reason, right?
- So Pretty for the Holidays: That sparkly cinnamon-sugar coating makes them look super festive and festive without any fancy decorating.
- Versatile Little Wonders: They’re great on their own, but they also hold up well if you want to give them a little extra flair with frosting or sprinkles. Plus, they make fantastic edible gifts!
Gather Your Ingredients for Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Okay, let’s get our baking station ready! To make these delightful Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies, you won’t need anything too fancy. Most of this stuff is probably already hanging out in your pantry. Here’s what we’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, make sure it’s softened! This is key for getting that perfect creamy texture when we mix it.
- 1 cup granulated sugar, for the sweet dough itself.
- 1 large egg, just one to bind everything together nicely.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, the secret little flavor booster!
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, the backbone of our cookie.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, to give them just a little lift.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to balance out all that sweetness.
- For the magical coating:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (yes, more sugar!)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
That’s it! See? Super simple. You just want to make sure that butter is nice and soft, not melted, and your flour is measured correctly. Happy gathering!
Essential Equipment for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Alright, before we dive into the magic, let’s make sure we have our tools ready. Having these basic kitchen gadgets on hand will make baking these Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies an absolute breeze. You’ll want:
- A good electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer works great!) for creaming that butter and sugar.
- A couple of mixing bowls – one for the wet stuff, one for the dry.
- Sturdy baking sheets. I like to use two so I can keep baking while one cools.
- Some trusty parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Trust me, this makes cleanup SO much easier and stops those cookies from sticking!
- A wire cooling rack for letting your beautiful cookies cool completely.
Having these ready means you can just focus on the fun part – baking!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Alright, bakers, let’s get down to business! This is where the magic really happens for our yummy Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a beautiful batch ready in no time. I like to preheat my oven to 375°F (that’s 190°C) while I get the dough going, so everything is ready to bake as soon as the dough is made.
Preparing the Cookie Dough
This is where we build that perfect, tender cookie base. Grab your electric mixer and that softened butter and the first cup of sugar. Cream ’em together until it’s really light and fluffy – I always say it should look like pale, whipped clouds! Seriously, don’t skimp on this part; it makes all the difference in texture. Then, beat in that egg and the vanilla extract until it’s all nicely combined. In a separate bowl, give your flour, baking powder, and salt a quick whisk together. Now, just gradually add the dry stuff to the wet stuff, mixing on low speed until *just* combined. We don’t want to overmix!
Forming and Coating the Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Time to make them pretty! Grab a small bowl and mix up our coating: that 1/4 cup of sugar and the tablespoon of cinnamon. It should smell divine already! Now, take about a tablespoon of your cookie dough and roll it between your palms to make a nice, round ball, about an inch big. Don’t make them too huge, or they won’t bake evenly. Then, roll that little ball right into your cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure it’s coated all over. Place them on your prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread a bit, and we want to give them space to do their thing!
Baking and Cooling Your Holiday Cookies
Into the oven they go for about 8 to 10 minutes. You want to keep an eye on them! They’re ready when the edges just start to look lightly golden. They’ll feel a little soft in the middle, and that’s okay – that’s how we get a nice tender cookie. Let them hang out on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes after they come out; this helps them set up a bit more. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Patience here is key – they’re still a bit delicate when they’re hot!
Tips for Baking Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the ingredients, but here are a few little magic tricks I’ve learned over the years to make sure your Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies turn out absolutely flawless. Don’t worry if your first batch isn’t *perfect*; baking is a journey, and these tips will make it a delicious one! If you love baking simple cookies, you might also want to check out my classic chocolate chip cookies or these gooey pecan pie bars for more holiday-ready treats.
- Butter is Your Best Friend: Seriously, make sure that butter is truly softened, not melted. If it’s too cold, you won’t get that lovely light and fluffy texture when you cream it with the sugar, and if it’s melted? Well, your cookies will spread like crazy, and nobody wants sad, flat cookies!
- Gentle with the Flour: When you add the dry ingredients, mix *just* until they disappear. Overmixing flour is the quickest way to tough cookies, and we want tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness here. A few streaks of flour are totally fine; they’ll combine as you shape the dough.
- Don’t Skip the Coat: That cinnamon-sugar coating isn’t just for looks; it adds an extra punch of flavor and a little bit of crunch. Make sure those dough balls are well-coated before they hit the oven! It’s totally worth the extra minute.
- Watch That Oven! Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on those cookies during the last few minutes of baking. You’re looking for that gentle golden edge, not dark brown edges. It’s better to underbake slightly for chewy cookies than to overbake and end up with crisps!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Cookies
Let’s chat for a second about the ingredients because even simple cookies can benefit from a little tweak here and there! For these Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies, I really love using unsalted butter. It gives you complete control over the saltiness of your cookies, which is important, right? If you can’t find unsalted, just use salted butter, but maybe cut back on the salt in the dough just a tiny bit.
Now, if you need to make these dairy-free, don’t fret! You can totally use a good quality vegan butter substitute. Just make sure it’s the stick kind, not the tub stuff, as it’ll have a better fat ratio that mimics real butter. It might make them spread just a smidge more, but it’ll still be delicious. For gluten-free folks, a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend usually works like a charm. Just be aware that sometimes GF flours can make cookies a little drier, so maybe add an extra minute or two to the cooling time on the pan!
Serving and Storing Your Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
These little gems are just perfect for so many occasions! Imagine them piled high on a festive holiday cookie platter alongside some gingerbread and maybe a chocolatey treat. They’re also extra delicious with a warm mug of spiced cider or hot cocoa. Honestly, anytime you need a little sprinkle of holiday cheer, these Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies are the answer! If you’re looking for more ideas to round out your dessert table, check out my whole dessert category!
Now, if by some miracle you have leftovers (which I highly doubt!), storing them is super easy. Just pop them into an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh and delicious for about 3 to 4 days, though they tend to disappear much faster than that around my house! You can absolutely freeze these too; make sure they are completely cooled, then stack them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep their holiday sparkle for up to 2 months!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
Got some burning questions about whipping up these delightful Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies? I’ve got you covered! These little bites of holiday cheer are pretty straightforward, but a few common queries pop up.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! That’s one of my favorite things about them. You can bake them a few days before your holiday party and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They actually taste even better on day two!
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This is usually down to a couple of things. Make sure your butter was softened but not melted – melted butter makes cookies spread like crazy! Also, be careful not to overmix the dough once you add the flour. Gentle handling is key for these festive little guys.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies will stay deliciously fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Honestly though, they rarely last that long in my house!
Can I freeze the dough before baking?
Yes, you sure can! Roll the dough into balls, coat them in the cinnamon sugar, and then pop them on a baking sheet to freeze until solid. Once firm, transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, this is an *estimate* because all ingredients can vary a bit! Based on one cookie, expect about 150 calories, 7g of fat (4g saturated), 20g of carbs, and 12g of sugar. It’s a little treat for the holidays, and totally worth it!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Simple and sweet cinnamon sugar cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, for rolling
Instructions
- Cream together the softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For softer cookies, bake for a shorter time.
- For crispier cookies, bake for a longer time.
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
