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It’s Christmas Sugar Cookie Day!!
No really, I have been waiting for this day forever. Who couldn’t love a good sugar cookie?!?! Crazy people that’s who.
I am currently having the problem that I only want to bake sweet things. Normally I have trouble coming up with sweet recipes, but this December I have so many that I want to make and not enough savory recipes. Like on Sunday, I set out to make two new savory dishes for you guys and they both just fell horribly flat. I think this was mostly because I wasn’t extremely excited about either recipe and I really just wanted to be baking and singing along to Christmas music.
Have I ever mentioned that I have always thought I would make the perfect Mrs. Claus? Because I have said this to my mom my whole life and now apparently I have the guts to tell all of you this. It’s because I can’t see you. Trust me, the online me is so much more daring and I guess personal. Meet me face to face and I am kind of shy. It’s better now that I am older though. As a kid, I clung to my mom’s hip like no kid you’d ever seen before.
Actually, when I was really young I wouldn’t even let my dad hold me. UGH. I was so mean, but hey, he’s pretty much my favorite person now.
Sorry, too much information for a cookie post.
SO. You know all those picture perfect Christmas cookies that basically look like Christmas cookie perfection? Yeah, these are not them… and they are not meant to be. I have always, always wanted to make the cut-out cookies, complete with the royal icing, pretty sanding sugar and little details like Santa’s rosy cheeks. I pretty much envy the beyond talented people who can create those gorgeous cookies. BUT I have finally accepted that, one, I do not have the patience for them, and two, they will never turn out as perfect as I want them to. Plus, if I am being honest, I really only like the look of those perfectly pretty cookies, the taste? Not so awesome.
This year, I finally decided to just give up on the perfect look and go for cute and good. Or ok, cute and delicious.
The verdict? It worked out so much better for me, and my day didn’t end with me covered in royal icing, sprinkles and crying on the floor while eating a sub-par cookie. Total upgrade.
These are cookies for people who want to have fun making cookies, people who have kids or people who just want a good frickin’ cookie. The whole slice and bake thing takes the effort right out of these and saves you your sanity. And the easy delicious frosting saves you from hours of trying to create the perfect picture cookie only to come up with something that looks like an art project gone so wrong. Plus, um again, they are so good.
The cookies are just a simple blend of butter, sugar and vanilla. Pretty much just like any other sugar cookie, but these have the vanilla flavor bumped up to the max. I love vanilla, and it’s Christmas time and that just means vanilla to me. The boys actually loved the cookies all by themselves. No frosting, no sprinkles. That was a little odd seeing as they love sugar, but I have to admit that the cookies themselves are perfect on their own. Soft, sweet and so vanilla-ey.
I still added frosting to most of the cookies though because no Christmas cookie should be left unfrosted. It’s just common sense. I went with a vanilla buttercream, but there’s a little secret ingredient involved. Salted caramel. It’s only a fourth of cup, but it just makes the frosting melt in your mouth. SOOOO good. Addictingly good.
I made my own, but you can use store-bought for a quicker frosting.
To decorate? I kept things SO simple. I used Christmas cookie cutters to make gingerbread men, Christmas trees and Santa hats. Couldn’t be easier. Just place the cookie cutter on top of the frosted cookie and sprinkle a little sanding sugar inside the cutter. Shake the cookie to evenly distribute the sanding sugar. DONE. My kind of cookie decorating.
If you want to make shapes with the cookies, this dough works great for that too. Just roll out the dough to about an eighth inch thickness, cut your cookies and bake as directed.
When I made these, there were of course a zillion snowboarders around from the US Team and yeah, they devoured these cookies. Said they were the best ever… maybe that’s why they haven’t left the house since?
Easy Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies w/Whipped Buttercream.
Servings: 60 Cookies
Calories Per Serving: 206 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean seeds removed (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract* optional
- 2 eggs
- 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Buttercream Frosting
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
- assorted sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- To make the cookies, cream the butter, sugar, vanilla bean, vanilla extract and almond extract in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about a full 3-5 minutes.
- Add the eggs and mix until evenly combined. Add half the flour, baking soda and salt, beating until combined. Add the remaining flour and beat until the dough forms a ball.
- Place half the dough on a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a 10-inch log. Repeat with the remaining dough. Now try and make sure each log is pretty rounded and then wrap in a generous amount of tin foil. This will prevent the dough from forming a straight edge. Place the logs in the fridge for at least one hour or up to three days.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Remove one roll of dough at a time from the fridge. Unwrap the dough and slice crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, turning the dough a quarter turn after each slice to help keep the cookies round. Place 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. If your cookies aren’t as round as you want them to be, shape the dough with your fingers.
- Bake 8 minutes for soft cookies. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining roll of dough, if desired.
- To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl with a hand mixer) beat together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla, pinch of salt and caramel, beat until combined Add the heavy cream and beat another 3 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy, add more cream to your liking.
- Frost the cooled cookies and decorate as desired. To make the shapes of your favorite christmas symbols, find some smaller Christmas cookie cutters and gently place in the center of the cookie. Sprinkle the inside of the cookie cutter with sanding sugar or sprinkles. Shake the cookie a little to help evenly distribute the sanding sugar and then remove the cookie cutter.
- Store cookies, covered for up to four days at room temperature.
Notes
*If you do not have almond extract on hand or cannot find it, feel free to just leave it out. BUT I think it makes these cookies great.
*The cookie dough can also be stored in the freezer. To bake remove from the freezer and let sit on the counter for 5 minutes prior to slicing. Bake As directed.
Come on, these Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies are pretty cute, right?!?
I made these today and love them. Super easy to make an unique Xmas cookie. Cookie base is good. To the frosting I love the caramel with the homemade Carmel sauce. But I had to add extra powdered sugar to get it fluffy and my butter was completely at room temperature. To me the same amount of butter to powered sugar does not work or do I like it. So much more fluffy. Thank you for the quick tasting Xmas cookie recipe
Hey Holly,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
I have made tons of homemade buttercream frosting. The amount of butter to powder sugar kinda surprises me. Why do you have the same amount of both. Usually American buttercream is lesss butter than sugar. Can you reply to this. Thank you
Hi Holly,
This is what I found worked best for me, but feel free to adjust to your liking:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
We made these this weekend! They were so easy and fun! Super delicious, of course! Thanks for the decorating tips, we always love trying new things.
Hey Sarah,
Happy Monday!!☃️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was enjoyed! xT
I was also wondering if you have the recipe for the caramel sauce that goes in the frosting
Hi Sarah,
You can follow step 5 in this recipe for the caramel:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/gingerbread-cake-with-caramel-cream-cheese-buttercream/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I was thinking about making these to bring to work, do you have suggestions as far as packing them after they’re frosted? Does the frosting set?
Hey Sarah,
The frosting will set so you can go ahead and stack these, you could also put wax paper between them just in case! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I made these this week.. they are SO GOOD! The recipe is super easy and the frosting is PERFECTION! Will be making these often. Thanks!
Hey Marissa,
Wonderful!!🎄 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review! xx
I make these every year and they are now famous among my friends. They have been made into all kinds of fun shapes for all kinds of occasions (including for bachelorette parties!) The first time I made them I burnt the caramel and quickly gave up that idea, so I make a regular American buttercream frosting with cinnamon to spice it up. The almond in the cookie makes it special, but still so simple to bake.
Hey Kaitlyn,
Fantastic! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!? xx
These cookies are so delicious and really easy to make! They will now become a regular Christmas cookie in our family!
Hey Arlene,
Happy Friday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for making it and happy holidays!❄️ xTieghan
I made these cookies and they are delicious! Followed the recipe using the vanilla bean which gives the cookie great flavor. I skipped the almond flavor. Definitely will make again! I have purchased your cookbooks, I recommend a desserts cookbook!
Hey Jeanette,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I LOVED this recipe. Easy to make (which says a lot coming from a novice baker like me) and tastes amazing. Next time I would love to use the actual vanilla bean, instead of just the extract, but still they’re amazing!! I’ll be making these again for Christmas for the family!
Hey Molly,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can you make the icing ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it?
Hi Cindy,
Sure, that would be just fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Do you do anything with the vanilla seeds after you scrape the bean? And does the bean break down during mixing? These sounds delicious!
Hey Sarah,
You are going to use the seeds of the bean in step 1, you aren’t actually putting the entire bean into the dough. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
This is the 3rd year in a row that I have made these for Christmas and they are always met with rave reviews! I love how easy they are to make, and that the cookie itself isn’t overly sweet. The frosting is perfect and they look beautiful with minimal effort. They freeze well and taste great chilled. I am pretty sure this will be the only sugar cookie that I make from now on!
Hey Heidi,
I am so glad you have been enjoying the recipes, thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I don’t clearly understand what to go with the vanilla bean. Could you explain how to incorporate it?
You are going to split the vanilla bean open with knife and scoop out all of the seeds inside and use those.