Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me and love baking festive treats that bring out the holiday cheer, then you’re going to adore this Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe. These cookies are not only delightfully buttery and crispy, but they also double as a fun canvas for all those quirky, colorful sugar sweater designs! Whether you’re baking with the kids or prepping a party platter, this recipe is going to become your seasonal go-to — I promise it’s fan-freaking-tastic, and I’ll share all the tips I’ve learned to help you nail it every time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create a buttery, flavorful sugar cookie base that holds its shape perfectly for decorating. A quick tip—using room temperature butter and eggs helps everything blend smoothly, so your dough turns out silky and easy to work with.

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature is key here; it creams nicely with sugar to give a light cookie base.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and that slight crispiness on the cookie edges.
• Eggs and egg yolks: Provide richness and help bind the dough together.
• Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, classic flavor; I always opt for pure vanilla.
• Almond extract: Just a little adds a lovely subtle nuttiness that elevates the taste.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, sifted here for smooth mixing and no lumps.
• Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
• Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift so the cookies aren’t dense but nicely tender.

Variations

I love to mix things up with this ugly Christmas sweater cookies recipe depending on my mood or party theme. Feel free to get creative—these cookies are like a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch.

• Gluten-Free Version: I’ve swapped in a gluten-free flour blend before and it worked out beautifully—just watch the dough’s texture so it doesn’t get too crumbly.
• Vegan Twist: Using vegan butter and egg replacers works fine too; I’ve tried it with applesauce and flax eggs for binding.
• Spiced Sweaters: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg gives the cookies a cozy holiday vibe—my family especially loves this at cookie swaps.
• Mini Cookies: When I’m short on time, I make bite-sized versions; they bake faster and decorating gets delightfully quick.

How to Make Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Light and Fluffy

Start by placing your room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat them together on medium speed for about two minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is crucial because it traps air that helps make your cookies tender.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts

Lower the mixer speed and add in the whole eggs and egg yolks, mixing just until they’re fully incorporated. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything blends evenly. Then, add the vanilla and almond extract. Don’t skip the almond—its subtle flavor makes a big difference!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add this dry mixture into your wet ingredients, about a cup at a time, mixing on low. This prevents flour clouds and helps the dough come together smoothly. Once fully incorporated, your dough should look soft but firm enough to handle.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This is a game changer because it firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out and ensuring your cookies keep their shape during baking. Plus, the flavors meld together nicely while it chills.

Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Bake

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. I like to cut mine into sweater shapes roughly the size of my hand, but if you have a sweater cookie cutter, that’s even easier! Place the cutouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them so the edges don’t brown too much—they should be lightly golden.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes so they firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, it’s party time with the decorating! Use royal icing, colorful sprinkles, and edible markers to make each ugly sweater come to life. It’s one of my favorite parts because no two cookies ever look the same.

How to Serve Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish these cookies off with royal icing in bright colors and add sprinkles, edible glitter, and even tiny candy pearls. It’s so fun to get the designs as loud or tacky as you want—my kids especially love adding ridiculous pom-poms and zigzag patterns that scream “ugly sweater.”

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa, spiced cider, or even a bold coffee with cinnamon. For a party spread, I like to serve them alongside roasted nuts, cheese boards, or easy finger sandwiches to keep things festive and cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve learned that arranging these cookies on a tiered holiday platter or in festive tins makes an instant statement. Another favorite trick: individually wrapping decorated cookies in clear cello bags tied with red and green ribbon — perfect for gifting or handing out at holiday parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once these cookies are decorated and completely dry, I store them in an airtight container layered with parchment paper at room temperature. They usually stay fresh and crisp for about a week, though honestly, mine never last that long!

Freezing

If you’re making these ahead for a big event, you can freeze the unbaked dough or the baked cookies. For dough, wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling. For baked cookies, freeze fully decorated cookies between sheets of parchment in a sealed container, then thaw at room temperature when ready to serve.

Reheating

Most times, I enjoy these cookies at room temp, but if you want to freshen them up, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 3-4 minutes. This melts just enough sugar to bring back that fresh-baked aroma and crispness without melting your decorations.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe turns out every single time. The taste, texture, and the decorating fun make it a stand-out holiday tradition in my kitchen. I hope you’ll enjoy making these cookies as much as I do and maybe create your own unique ugly sweater designs that become the talk of your holiday gatherings. Trust me, once you bake and decorate these, you’ll be hooked—and your friends and family will thank you for bringing this playful festive treat to the party!

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