Name: Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-489096H58M12S
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional); Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles (for rolling)

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Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies are one of my favorite go-to treats during the holidays. Soft, chewy, and rolled in festive sugar, these cookies come together without the need for rolling or cutting—making them perfect for quick holiday baking. I love how easy they are to make while still delivering that classic sugar cookie taste everyone looks forward to during Christmas time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it skips the rolling pin and cookie cutters without sacrificing flavor or festive charm. These cookies are buttery, tender, and have just the right amount of sweetness. The colorful sugar crystals on top make them sparkle on any cookie tray. They’re perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the tree. Best of all, I can make a big batch in less than 30 minutes. Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter (softened)
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
Almond extract (optional, but adds great flavor)
Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles (for rolling)

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, I cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
I add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until smooth.
Gradually, I add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, I scoop the dough into balls and roll them in colored sugar or sprinkles.
I place the cookie dough balls a couple of inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
I bake them for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
I let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 cookies.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 8–10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Variations

Sometimes I add a little lemon or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy holiday twist. I also love swapping out the colored sugar with crushed peppermint or holiday-themed sprinkles. If I’m making these outside the holidays, I use pastel or rainbow sugar for birthdays or spring celebrations.

Storage/Reheating

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy for several days, which is why I like making them ahead. For longer storage, I freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. I just let them thaw at room temperature before serving. I don’t usually reheat them, but a few seconds in the microwave makes them feel freshly baked. Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies

FAQs

Can I freeze the dough ahead of time?

Yes, I scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, I roll them in sugar and bake straight from frozen, just adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time.

Do I need to chill the dough?

Not at all! I love that this dough comes together quickly and bakes right away. No chilling required.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, I’ve had success using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture is slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the best sugar to roll them in?

I use coarse colored sanding sugar for sparkle, but regular granulated sugar or festive sprinkles work just as well.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. I often double or triple the batch when baking for parties or gift boxes—it scales really well.

Conclusion

Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies are my go-to when I want something festive, easy, and irresistibly good. They have all the flavor of classic sugar cookies without the extra work. Whether I’m baking last-minute treats for guests or filling up a holiday cookie tin, these cookies always make the season a little sweeter.

Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies

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Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies are festive, soft, and chewy sugar cookies that skip the rolling and cutting. Rolled in colorful sugar or sprinkles, they’re easy to make and perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting.

Author: Lizaa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Category: Dessert, Cookies
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles (for rolling)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix until combined.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form dough balls, then roll each in colored sugar or sprinkles.
Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing a couple inches apart.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are still soft.
Cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.