"Ultimate Guide to Easy Holiday Sugar Cookie Recipe: Perfect for Festive Celebrations!"

#### Easy Holiday Sugar Cookie RecipeThe **easy holiday sugar cookie recipe** is a delightful treat that captures the essence of the festive season. These c……

#### Easy Holiday Sugar Cookie Recipe

The **easy holiday sugar cookie recipe** is a delightful treat that captures the essence of the festive season. These cookies are soft, buttery, and can be easily customized to fit any holiday theme. Whether you’re baking for a Christmas gathering, a New Year’s Eve party, or just a cozy family night, this recipe is sure to bring joy and sweetness to your celebrations.

#### Ingredients

To create the perfect batch of holiday sugar cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- ½ teaspoon salt

- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

- 1 egg

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

- Sprinkles or icing for decoration

#### Instructions

1. **Preheat the Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies will bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.

2. **Mix Dry Ingredients**: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is crucial as it helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent throughout the flour.

3. **Cream Butter and Sugar**: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. The air incorporated during this step will help your cookies rise beautifully.

4. **Add Egg and Extracts**: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully combined. The extracts add a lovely depth of flavor to your cookies.

5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.

6. **Chill the Dough**: For best results, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

7. **Shape the Cookies**: Once chilled, roll the dough into balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave enough space between each cookie, as they will spread while baking.

8. **Bake**: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to cook on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven.

9. **Cool and Decorate**: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with icing or sprinkles as desired.

#### Tips for Success

- **Make Ahead**: You can prepare the dough in advance and freeze it for later use. Just thaw it in the refrigerator before baking.

- **Customization**: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the dough for a unique twist.

- **Storage**: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well for longer storage.

#### Conclusion

This **easy holiday sugar cookie recipe** is not only simple to follow but also allows for plenty of creativity. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing for a festive gathering, these cookies are sure to impress. Enjoy the process of baking and the delightful aroma that fills your home, and don’t forget to share these sweet treats with family and friends! Happy baking!