Best 10 Christmas Butter Cookie Cutouts Recipes

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Indulge in the festive spirit with delightful Christmas butter cookie cutouts, a classic holiday treat that brings joy to every occasion. These cookies, with their rich, buttery flavor and intricate designs, are a feast for the senses. Our collection of recipes offers a variety of options to suit every taste and skill level, from simple cut-out cookies adorned with colorful sprinkles to elaborate creations featuring detailed icing and intricate decorations. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, we have the perfect recipe to guide you in creating these edible works of art. Bake up a batch of these charming cookies to share with loved ones, spread holiday cheer, or simply enjoy as a sweet treat.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS BUTTER COOKIES



How to Make the Most Delicious Christmas Butter Cookies image

Butter cookies are a holiday classic for a reason: They're delicious, versatile, and the perfect foundation for sugary-sweet frosting. Follow this recipe for a festive Christmas cookie.

Categories     christmas butter cookies     christmas butter cookie recipes     butter cookie recipes     butter     Christmas     dessert     Cookie     Christmas Butter Cookies Recipe     christmas butter cookies     christmas cookies

Time 1h

Yield 45 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 c. unsalted butter (no substitutions), at room temperature
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Assorted colored granulated sugars for decorating
Ornamental Frosting

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high, beat until light and creamy. At low speed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt just until blended.
  • Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each piece with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour.
  • On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll 1 piece of dough 1/8 inch thick. With floured 2- to 3-inch assorted cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible, wrap and refrigerate trimmings. Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on large ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle cookies with colored sugar now if you like, or frost with Ornamental Frosting after baking.
  • Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. If you like, brush colored sugar remaining on cookie sheets onto piece of waxed paper to use again. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings.
  • When cookies are cool, prepare Ornamental Frosting if you like, use to decorate cookies as desired. Sprinkle colored sugars as desired on frosting before it dries. Allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour. Store cookies in tightly covered container up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 40 calories

CUT-OUT BUTTER COOKIES



Cut-Out Butter Cookies image

This recipe -- based on our Basic Butter Cookie Dough -- makes perfect holiday cookies, and cut-out cookies for any occasion.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 30

Number Of Ingredients 1

Basic Butter Cookie Dough

Steps:

  • Divide dough in half; form into two 1/2-inch-thick disks. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a piece of floured waxed paper, roll one disk to a thickness of 3/16 inch; chill. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Flouring cutters as you go (to prevent sticking), cut dough into desired shapes; carefully transfer to baking sheets. Re-chill rolled-out dough if difficult to work with.
  • If decorating, brush with egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar or sprinkles. Bake until edges are firm (not brown), 15 to 20 minutes for 3-inch cookies. Cool 1 to 2 minutes on baking sheets; cool completely on a wire rack.

DECORATED CHRISTMAS CUTOUT COOKIES



Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies image

Rich, buttery sugar cookie cutouts like these never last long at a party. They're one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. -Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 6 dozen (2-1/2-inch cookies).

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Tinted frostings, colored sugars, edible glitter and nonpareils

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill until firm, 1 hour. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness. Cut out with Christmas cookie cutters of your choice. Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks., Decorate cookies with frosting and colored sugars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 47 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 43mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CUTOUT CHRISTMAS COOKIES



Cutout Christmas Cookies image

These old-fashioned Christmas cookies have been a holiday tradition in my family for many years. It was a joy to make these cookies for my children, and now my little granddaughter will soon be enjoying them, too. -Carolyn Moseley, Dayton, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield about 6 dozen (2-inch cookies).

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Frosting or confectioners' sugar, optional

Steps:

  • In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder salt, nutmeg and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for at least 1 hour. , On a lightly floured surface, roll dough, a portion at a time, to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired with frosting or confectioners' sugar., To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator., Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 116 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 95mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE CUTOUTS



Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts image

If your Christmas season gets so hectic that you only have time to bake one batch of cookies, we suggest that this be the one you make. This is the kind of sugar cookie that generations of bakers have relied on, with a buttery texture and just-right tenderness. The accompanying glaze requires just three ingredients and is a standby that you can just as easily rely on when you need a glaze on other cookie varieties. It sets up nicely and is ideal for decorating, tinting well and spreading easily. The process of making sugar cookie cutouts is as essential to the holidays as opening gifts and singing Christmas songs, and if you can clear some time out on your schedule, it's a relaxing activity, too. Pull out all your favorite cookie cutters, whether they're classic hearts and stars or cute winter characters like reindeer and penguins, and bake up a batch-this recipe yields 60 cookies. When it's time to decorate, you have a blank canvas to indulge your style and creativity. Some bakers like to go all in on color and whimsy, while others prefer more simple and elegant finishing flourishes-it's all up to you. What we can promise is that no matter what shapes you cut them into or how you decorate them, you'll end up with cookies that are as delicious as they are beautiful.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h10m

Yield 60

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Betty Crocker™ Decor Selects candy sprinkles, nonpareils or colored sugars, if desired
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk or half-and-half

Steps:

  • In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, the butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond extract and egg until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
  • Heat oven to 375°F. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough 3/16 inch thick. Cut into assorted shapes with cookie cutters, or cut around patterns traced from storybook illustrations. If cookies are to be hung as decorations, make a hole in each 1/4 inch from top with end of plastic straw. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  • In medium bowl, beat all frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Tint with food color if desired. Frost and decorate cookies as desired with frosting and colored sugars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 65, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Cookie, Sodium 40 mg

BEST BUTTER COOKIES



Best Butter Cookies image

With this convenient recipe, you get four different kinds of cookies from just one batch of dough. The cutouts, peppermint balls, spicy fruit balls and chocolate slices are enough to fill up a Christmas treat tray. -Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 cups butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR CUTOUTS:
Sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar, optional
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR PEPPERMINT BALLS:
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red colored sugar, optional
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR SPICY FRUIT BALLS:
1/2 cup dried currants
1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Confectioners' sugar, optional
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR CHOCOLATE SLICES:
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough into four 1-1/2 cup portions; mix and shape for each variety as follows. Yield: 4 portions (1-1/2 cups each)., To prepare Cutouts: Using one portion dough, divide into two balls; roll each ball directly on an ungreased baking sheet to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured cookie cutter, leaving at least 1 in. between cookies. Remove excess dough and reroll scraps if desired. Decorate with sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375° for 6-7 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen., To prepare Peppermint Balls: In a large bowl, combine one portion dough, peppermint candies and peppermint extract. Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with red colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen., To prepare Spicy Fruit Balls: In a large bowl, combine one portion dough, currants, fruit and cinnamon. Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute then roll in confectioners' sugar if desired. Cool on wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen., To prepare Chocolate Slices: In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. In a small bowl, mix melted chocolate into one portion cookie dough. Shape into a 1-1/2-in.-thick log; roll in nuts. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. Unwrap and cut into 1/8-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 63 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 38mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CHRISTMAS BUTTER COOKIE CUTOUTS



Christmas Butter Cookie Cutouts image

This recipe is a classic that came out of the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens a while ago, but in our book, a recipe that stands the test of time is the only kind worth having! We recently baked up a batch of these cookies to give them a refreshed recipe image, and we can attest that these are an exceptionally fun option for bakers who want to make something that's achievable but still stretches their skills. The base for these cookies is delightfully short and treads the perfect line between being tender and having a satisfying little snap. Once they're out of the oven and cooled, the real fun begins. First they get brushed with a thin icing that forms a lovely, smooth canvas for decorating. Once that's set, creativity takes center stage, and you can test your hand at decorating with royal icing and all the sprinkles, sugars and nonpareils you can find in your pantry. The editor who took on the task of decorating these was intimidated at first, having a complicated history with royal icing, but found the recipe included below easy to work with to create beautiful cookies. Set aside some time to devote to making these cookies when the Christmas spirit really sets in-we promise they'll bring you the comfort and joy of the season!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h30m

Yield 32

Number Of Ingredients 14

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
5 teaspoons lemon juice
4 to 5 tablespoons water
Betty Crocker™ colored sugars
Betty Crocker™ candy sprinkles

Steps:

  • In large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. On low speed, beat in egg, lemon peel and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt until well blended.
  • Divide dough into 4 parts; flatten each part into 1/2-inch-thick round. Wrap each in waxed paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 350°F. Remove 1 round of dough at a time from refrigerator. Between sheets of floured waxed paper or plastic wrap, roll dough until 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters in various shapes. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cutouts 1 inch apart.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheets about 1 minute before removing to cooling rack. To make cookies for hanging, using a toothpick or end of plastic straw, carefully poke a hole in the top of each cookie while cookies are still hot. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before frosting.
  • In medium bowl, stir together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Stir in 5 teaspoons lemon juice and enough of the 4 to 5 tablespoons water to make a thin icing. Transfer 1/2 cup of the icing into small bowl; set aside. Using a flexible pastry brush, paint cookies to the edges with icing. Place on cooling rack to dry completely, about 30 minutes.
  • Beat reserved icing with electric mixer on high speed 5 to 7 minutes or until peaks form. Place in small resealable food-storage plastic bag; cut a very small hole in the bottom of the bag with the plain white icing. Squeeze icing onto glazed cookies. Before icing dries, sprinkle with decorations, and tap off excess. Dry thoroughly on cooling rack. Thread cookies with narrow ribbon for hanging.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Cookie (With Icing Only), Sodium 100 mg, Sugar 16 g, TransFat 0 g

CHRISTMAS VANILLA BUTTER CUTOUTS



Christmas Vanilla Butter Cutouts image

Cutout cookies are a favorite at Christmas and this is a simple recipe your family will love. The cookies have a delicious buttery vanilla flavor. They're tasty on their own but go crazy with decorating too. A fun cookie to have kids help in the kitchen with.

Provided by Nancy Maiorana

Categories     Cookies

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 2/3 - 3 c all-purpose flour
1 c butter, room temperature
1 c sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

  • 1. Cream butter and sugar.
  • 2. Blend in egg and vanilla.
  • 3. Add flour and mix well.
  • 4. Cover in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
  • 5. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
  • 6. Cut out shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.
  • 7. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • 8. Bake at 375 degrees until light brown (about 8 min).
  • 9. Ice when cooled with your favorite vanilla cookie glaze or icing.

BEST BUTTER COOKIES (CUTOUTS)



Best Butter Cookies (Cutouts) image

These cookies are one of my many usual cutout cookie recipes for Christmas cookies. Prep time includes chill time for dough. From Land O Lakes.

Provided by Parsley

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h9m

Yield 5 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar. Add in egg and beat well. Beat in orange juice and vanilla.
  • Combine flour and baking powder and gradually beat inches.
  • Chill dough for about 1 hour.
  • After dough has chilled, preheat oven to 400.
  • Roll dough on to lightly floured surface to about 1/8-1/4" thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Sprinkle w/ colored sugars, if desired.
  • Bake at 400 for 6-9 minutes (depending on cookie size) or until edges just slightly golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 733.1, Fat 38.4, SaturatedFat 23.7, Cholesterol 139.9, Sodium 349.7, Carbohydrate 89, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 41.1, Protein 8.1

CHRISTMAS CUTOUTS



Christmas Cutouts image

Making and decorating these tender sugar cookies left a lasting impression on our four children. Adults now, they've all asked for my Christmas cutouts recipe so they can bake them with their own children. -Shirley Kidd, New London, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield about 3-1/2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
FROSTING:
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
Optional: Liquid or paste food coloring and assorted sprinkles

Steps:

  • Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm enough to roll, 2-3 hours., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-in. cookie cutters. Place on ungreased baking sheets., Bake until edges begin to brown, 7-8 minutes. Remove from pan to wire racks; cool completely. , For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency; tint with food coloring if desired. Spread over cookies. Decorate as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 74mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

Tips:

  • Use cold butter: This is essential for a successful shortbread cookie. Cold butter will help to keep the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in a more crisp and crumbly texture.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy: This will help to incorporate air into the dough, resulting in a lighter and more tender cookie.
  • Add the flour gradually: This will help to prevent the dough from becoming tough.
  • Chill the dough before rolling it out: This will help to make the dough easier to handle and will also help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Use a sharp cookie cutter: This will help to create clean, precise edges on your cookies.
  • Bake the cookies until the edges are just beginning to brown: This will help to ensure that the cookies are cooked through without becoming overbaked.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them: This will help to prevent the decorations from melting or running.

Conclusion:

Christmas butter cookie cutouts are a delicious and festive holiday treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make these cookies at home. Just be sure to follow the tips above to ensure that your cookies turn out perfect. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's get baking!

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