The holidays can be really overwhelming. It seems like these days there are more and more “must do” activities that even your favorite family traditions can start to seem more like something that needs to be done as opposed to something you look forward to doing.
I have really fond memories of baking Christmas cookies with my mom growing up. She would make 4-5 different kinds of holiday treats every year. This was something that I really wanted to do with my boys as well, but each year I just found that I kept running out of time to do it all and then I felt like I had failed on a family tradition.
As with everything else in parenting, the more you do it, the more you learn. One thing I have learned is it isn’t always about making the most fancy cookies, or pinterest perfect projects, but rather just the time spent with the family. That’s why I’ve decided to keep my holiday cookies very simple this year. Maybe when the boys get older and are able to help more, then we will do more of my mother’s recipes, but for now these easy holiday sugar cookies are just perfect.
This easy holiday sugar cookies recipe actually comes from the back of a Gold Metal Flour Package. For the frosting you can use either store bought (remember… it’s about the time spent together doing, not how much time you spent making it that counts), or if I have a few extra minutes I will do a simple powdered sugar recipe that my mom taught me and we used to decorate gingerbread people growing up.
- 2¾ cup of flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter, soft (2 sticks)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp almond extract (the original recipe calls for vanilla, but I love the flavor of almond in these)
- Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder. Set aside.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
- Roll 1 tsp of dough into balls and place onto ungreased cookies sheet.
- Bake for about 8 minutes or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks.
Once the cookies have cooled you can start decorating. My boys love to help mix the ingredients, spread the frosting, and add the sprinkles. And in the end, it was their smiles that made the process worth it, not how much time I spent creating something.
What is your favorite holiday cookie?
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Those looks o good! I’m all about cookies, and I’m all about easy. Winner/winner!
I have all those ingredients on hand- Love it when that happens! Scheduled to pin yum!
I really need to make some of these. I’m so excited to start baking for the holidays.
The cookies look so yummy. I don’t know that I have a favorite. As long as they don’t have nuts I like them.
I used to put unrealistic expectations on myself to bake a zillion cookies, make gingerbread houses, and decorate for every season. I’ve now learned that simple is better and that my kids are much more appreciative of a relaxed mom that spends time with them rather than a crazy lady who is trying to do everything, but who doesn’t have time to spend quality time with them.
Almond extract is one of the two secret ingredients I use in my sugar cookies, but my dough has to be refrigerated and takes forever. I love how easy these are and it leaves plenty of time for decorating too!
Give me easy any day! I mess up everything I bake (and cook). Maybe this will be the one I get right.
The almond sounds like a great swap. I am going to a cookie exchange next week, so I need to whip some of these up.
I’m not a big cookie eater, I know crazy! But the one cookie I absolutely will eat anytime is oatmeal raisin. My husband and son love chocolate chip cookies the best! Your cookies look like they would make great cookies to give as gifts!
This is the perfect recipe for my holiday baking board! I love easy recipes like this.
This is such a easy recipe to make. I will have to make it this weekend with my kids. I like to make melt in your mouth shortbread.
These cookies look so yummy! I love sugar cookies and recipes that allow me to spend time with my family.
This is definitely different than the recipe my step-mom passed down to me. I’ve never liked her cookies that much anyway though (haha. don’t tell her) so I’ll have to try this easy recipe for sure.
Yummy! My son would love a plate full of those cookies
Picking my favorite holiday cookie feels like picking my favorite child; I just can’t do it! These sugar cookies however definitely could be a contender!
This is really perfect for holiday, especially the Christmas is coming. I love this idea.
These look so yummy and pretty easy, too! I totally agree- it’s all about the time we spend with the kids- it’s not about how complicated the icing is! I just learned this lesson, and it was huge for me!