Best Soft Christmas Cookies (Print version)

Tender frosted Christmas sugar cookies with soft centers, vanilla-almond flavor, and colorful holiday sprinkles.

# Ingredients:

For the cookies

01 - 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg, room temperature
04 - 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
05 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
06 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
07 - 1/3 cup (80 g) sour cream, room temperature
08 - 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
09 - 2 tablespoons (16 g) cornstarch
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 - 3/4 teaspoon fine salt

For the frosting

13 - 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
14 - 2 1/2 cups (300 g) powdered sugar
15 - 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - 1 pinch fine salt
18 - Gel food coloring, optional
19 - 1/3 cup red and green holiday sprinkles

# Instructions:

01 - Beat the butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until pale and fluffy. Scrape the bowl well.
02 - Beat in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, almond extract, and sour cream until smooth and slightly lighter in color.
03 - Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture on low speed and mix just until no dry streaks remain.
04 - Cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions and place them 2 inches apart.
05 - Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look soft and puffed. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a rack to cool completely.
06 - Beat the butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy, adding a little more cream if needed.
07 - Spread or pipe frosting onto the cooled cookies. Add sprinkles right away and let the frosting set before storing or packing.

# Good to know:

01 - Makes about 24 medium frosted cookies.
02 - For the softest texture, do not bake until browned.
03 - Dough balls can be frozen and baked from frozen with 1-2 extra minutes.

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