Rolled Christmas Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Icing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Delicate rolled sugar cookies flavored with vanilla and topped with smooth, pipe-able vanilla icing, perfect for holiday decorating. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 30 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 150 calories and feeds 24, 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226g), room temperature unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups (360g) confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon additional vanilla extract

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup room temperature unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Step 2: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough in half, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour until firm.
5. Step 5: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough half to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
6. Step 6: Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Step 7: For the icing, whisk together 3 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and 1/2 teaspoon additional vanilla extract until smooth and pipeable. Adjust consistency with more water or sugar as needed.
8. Step 8: Decorate cooled cookies with the vanilla icing using a piping bag or a small spoon. Allow icing to set before serving or storing.