The Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe is the perfect little holiday treat to brighten any festive gathering or cozy night in. These charming little cookies pack all the classic buttery, sweet goodness of traditional sugar cookies but in a bite-sized form that’s completely irresistible. With joyful red and green sprinkles on top and a soft, tender texture, they bring a delightful holiday spirit to the table. Whether you’re baking for family, gifting a plate to friends, or just sneaking a few yourself, these cookie bites are guaranteed to become a cherished seasonal favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly staples that combine to create a perfectly soft and sweet cookie bite every time. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from the buttery richness to the subtle vanilla aroma and festive sprinkle topping.
- Unsalted butter, 1 cup: Softened for creamy texture and rich flavor, ensuring the cookies melt in your mouth.
- Granulated sugar, 1 cup: Adds the right amount of sweetness and helps create that delightful slight crisp on the edges.
- Large egg, 1: Binds everything together and provides a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract, 1 ½ teaspoons: Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic notes that make the cookies irresistible.
- All-purpose flour, 2 ½ cups: The base of the dough, giving structure and softness.
- Baking powder, ½ teaspoon: A small lift agent that keeps the bites light and fluffy, not dense.
- Salt, ¼ teaspoon: Enhances the overall flavor balance and prevents the sweetness from being one-dimensional.
- Red and green sprinkles or sanding sugar: Adds festive color and a subtle crunch that makes these cookie bites holiday-ready.
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this simple step will ensure your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites gently lift off without sticking and keep their perfect shapes crisp and pretty.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, take your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar and beat them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process is crucial; it incorporates air into the dough, helping those bite-sized cookies bake into soft, tender clouds of sweetness.
Step 3: Mix in the Egg and Vanilla
Next, crack in the large egg and add your vanilla extract. Mix just until combined — overmixing now can toughen the dough, so a gentle, thorough stir is all you need to bring that lush vanilla aroma and rich texture to life.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix to your wet ingredients, stirring carefully until a soft dough forms. This dough should be tender but still hold together well; if it feels too sticky, a light dusting of flour can help.
Step 5: Shape the Cookie Bites
Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet. Gently press down on each ball just a little to flatten its top — this ensures they bake evenly and have that classic sugar cookie look. Don’t forget to sprinkle each cookie with festive red and green sugars or sprinkles now for instant holiday cheer!
Step 6: Bake Until Just Golden
Bake your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites for 8 to 10 minutes, watching closely as their edges begin to turn a gentle golden hue. This short baking time keeps them soft and tender on the inside but perfectly finished on the outside. When done, allow them to cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
The simplest way to make these cookie bites sparkle on presentation is to top them liberally with holiday-themed sprinkles or sanding sugar before baking. For an extra special touch, consider a light drizzle of white or dark chocolate after they’ve cooled for a gorgeous, indulgent look and taste.
Side Dishes
These cookie bites shine on their own but are even better when paired with a warm cup of hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or a frothy holiday latte. Their soft sweetness balances perfectly with any cozy beverage, making them a superb festive treat to share around the hearth.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites on a festive platter surrounded by holly leaves, pinecones, or cinnamon sticks for an instant holiday centerpiece. Alternatively, pack them in pretty cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons for delightful homemade gifts that bring holiday joy to anyone receiving them.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep their soft texture and fresh flavor for up to a week, perfect for enjoying little moments of holiday magic anytime.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough balls before baking for up to one month, making last-minute festive baking quick and easy. Just thaw and bake when ready. Baked cookie bites also freeze well—wrap them tightly and reheat gently for a fresh-baked feel whenever cravings strike.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm with that just-baked softness, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Microwaving can soften them too but may cause a slight change in texture, so the oven is best for keeping that perfectly tender bite.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit adding extra salt in the recipe to maintain the right flavor balance. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the saltiness.
What if I want to make these cookie bites gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture. Results may vary slightly but still delicious.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling into balls. This helps the cookies keep their shape during baking.
Can I decorate the cookie bites after baking?
Absolutely! Once cooled, you can pipe icing or drizzle chocolate for added decoration and flavor enhancement.
Are these cookie bites suitable for kids to help make?
Definitely! This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe is simple enough for kids to participate in, especially shaping the dough balls and adding sprinkles. It’s a fun, festive activity to share.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing a batch of freshly baked Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe with loved ones. Their tender texture, festive colors, and sweet aroma evoke all the best holiday memories. I encourage you to give this recipe a try and create your own joyful moments this season with these little, delicious bites of holiday cheer.
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookie bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bites are perfect festive treats made with a buttery, soft dough flavored with vanilla and decorated with red and green sprinkles. They bake up tender with slightly golden edges, ideal for holiday parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Decoration
- Red and green sprinkles or sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, providing the dough with moisture and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasonings.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Decorate: Gently press the tops of each dough ball to slightly flatten them, then sprinkle red and green sprinkles or sanding sugar on top for a festive look.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden, indicating they are done.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, use holiday-themed sprinkles or colored sugar to match your holiday decor.
- You can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help the cookie bites maintain a neater shape and become puffier.
