Buttery Holiday Sugar Cookies with Spiced Cinnamon Icing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender, buttery sugar cookies decorated with a spiced cinnamon glaze, bringing warmth and festive flavor to your holiday table. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, layers unsalted butter, granulated sugar, large egg into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 30, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 30 American cuisine 140 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp (for icing) ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups (for icing) powdered sugar
2 tbsp (for icing) milk

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low until the dough comes together. Divide dough into two portions, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into holiday shapes and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
Step 5: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set and just beginning to brown. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Step 6: For the icing, whisk together 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth and thick enough to spread.
Step 7: Once cookies are completely cooled, ice them with the cinnamon glaze using a knife or piping bag. Let icing set for 30 minutes before serving.