Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract if using, and sour cream.
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
5. Wrap the dough and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Roll the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into festive shapes.
8. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned.
9. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
10. For the icing, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Tint with gel coloring and pipe or spread onto the cooled cookies.

Variations

• Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist.
• Substitute the icing with cream cheese frosting for extra richness.
• Use brown butter in the dough for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
• Decorate with royal icing if you want crisp designs that harden completely.

Tips

• Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment for smooth, even cookies and mess-free handling.
• Pull the cookies from the oven when they still look pale; this guarantees a soft texture.
• Keep dough scraps chilled between batches to maintain clean edges.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers to preserve their softness.