Christmas Butter Cookies

Christmas Butter Cookies

Yield 36 cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes

We've taken a classic Holiday cookie up a level by adding some traditional Christmas colors. These oh so delicious Christmas Butter Cookies will be a big hit at your Christmas gathering this year!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Butter (softened)
  • 2 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • Wilton Color Right Food Coloring
  • Sparkling Sugar

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar.
  2. Add vanilla and continue to mix.
  3. Add flour one cup at a time and mix until thoroughly combined.
  4. Split dough into three portions.
  5. Color one portion Red and one portion Green.
  6. Press down Red, Green and White dough into separate layers approximately 8x6".
  7. Layer Red, Green and White dough layers. Cut in half.  Double the stack of dough.
  8. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate or at least one hour.
  9. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
  10. Cut a 3/8" slice of dough. Cut that piece in half so you have two cookies from each slice.
  11. Sprinkle with Sparkling Sugar.
  12. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until set. Do not over bake.

Notes

Food Coloring
We like the Wilton Color Right Food Coloring.  You don't have to use a lot of food coloring to get bright, rich colors. We used a combination of Crimson and Red food coloring for the Red dough and Yellow and Blue food coloring for the Green dough.  We have a whole post filled with tips on how to get the brightest and best Christmas Colors, you can find it here.

Baking Tips
You don't want to over bake these cookies.  If they start browning around the edges you have baked them too long and the cookies will taste dry. The cookies should be firm to the touch but not browned around the edges. Watch them closely for the last few minutes of baking time.

Storing/Freezing
Yes! They freeze up great. Store them in an air-tight container or wrap them tightly in two layers of aluminum foil. They will be good in the freezer up to 3 months.

Ingredient Notes
Butter: Since these are "butter" cookies a good quality butter is super important. We use Sweet Cream Salted Butter that has been softened to room temperature.

Food Coloring: You can use any food coloring that you have on hand. We think Wilton Color Right Food Coloring gives you a pretty Christmas Red and Green.

Sparkling Sugar: This is optional but it adds a little Christmas sparkle to the cookie which is a must in our family. We have used Sparkling Sugar Sprinkles as well as course sugar ... both are perfect!

Did you Make this Recipe? Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @twosisterscrafting on Instagram so we can see it!