10 Easy Christmas Cutouts To Try This Holiday Season

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by baking some delicious Christmas cutouts? These classic treats are a staple of the holiday season, and with the right recipes and techniques, you can create beautiful and delicious cutouts that will impress your friends and family.

In this article, we'll explore 10 easy Christmas cutout recipes that you can try this holiday season. From classic sugar cookies to intricate linzer cookies, we'll cover a range of recipes that are perfect for bakers of all skill levels. So, let's get started!

Why Make Christmas Cutouts?

Before we dive into the recipes, let's talk about why making Christmas cutouts is such a great idea. For one, it's a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit. There's something special about rolling out dough, cutting out shapes, and decorating your creations with frosting and sprinkles. Plus, Christmas cutouts make great gifts or treats for holiday parties.

10 Easy Christmas Cutout Recipes

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

These classic sugar cookies are a staple of the holiday season. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

2. Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread men are a classic Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with icing and candy to create adorable and festive cutouts.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Colored icing and candy for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

3. Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are a classic Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for those who love jam-filled cookies. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with a lattice pattern of dough to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Use a pastry cutter or a knife to create a lattice pattern on top of the cookies. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

4. Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are a classic Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for those who love buttery and crumbly cookies. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

5. Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodle cookies are a classic Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for those who love cinnamon and sugar. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups white granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp cinnamon sugar
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

6. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms are a classic Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for those who love peanut butter and chocolate. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Hershey's Kisses for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

7. Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cranberry white chocolate chip cookies are a delicious and festive Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

8. Maple Pecan Cookies

Maple pecan cookies are a delicious and festive Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

9. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a delicious and festive Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

10. Russian Tea Cakes

Russian tea cakes are a delicious and festive Christmas cutout recipe that's perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make, delicious, and can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to create beautiful and festive cutouts.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Decorating Your Christmas Cutouts

Now that you've baked your Christmas cutouts, it's time to decorate them. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Use colored sugar or sprinkles to add a festive touch to your cutouts.
• Try using frosting or icing to create intricate designs or patterns on your cutouts.
• Add a few drops of peppermint extract to your frosting for a fun and refreshing twist.
• Use chopped nuts or shredded coconut to add texture and interest to your cutouts.

Conclusion

Making Christmas cutouts is a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit. With these 10 easy recipes, you can create beautiful and delicious cutouts that will impress your friends and family. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, there's something on this list for everyone. So why not get baking and make some Christmas magic this holiday season?