If you’re looking for a way to enjoy festive baking without the fuss, Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat. These cookies combine ease and elegance with their simple dough preparation and beautiful, colorful designs that delight every age. Whether you’re new to baking or an old pro, this recipe will quickly become your favorite go-to for effortless, delicious Christmas cookies perfect for gift-giving, parties, or a cozy night in.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick preparation: The dough comes together rapidly, so you spend more time enjoying than waiting.
Beautiful presentation: Pre-sliced dough makes creating festive shapes and patterns a breeze.
Customizable flavors and colors: Easily tweak the recipe to match your holiday theme or favorite tastes.
Perfect for gifting: These cookies look as stunning as they taste, making them ideal for packaged holiday gifts.
Kid-friendly baking: Simple enough for little helpers to join in the holiday fun.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies lies in its straightforward ingredient list. Each item contributes to the cookie’s delightful crispness, rich flavor, and festive appearance.

Unsalted butter: Adds a creamy, rich base and keeps the cookies tender.
Sugar: Sweetens perfectly and helps create a delicate crunch.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure and the classic cookie texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out deeper flavors.
Food coloring (optional): Adds festive colors to your cookie dough for a fun, personal touch.
Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional): For an extra dash of holiday sparkle.

Variations for Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies

One reason these cookies are so beloved is how easy it is to make them your own. Whether you want to keep it classic or experiment with bold flavors, the recipe is flexible enough to adapt.

Chocolate swirls: Incorporate cocoa powder for a rich, chocolaty twist in your dough.
Spiced dough: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warm, cozy holiday flavor.
Nutty additions: Fold in finely chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch.
Gluten-free option: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend to suit dietary needs without losing texture.
Vegan swap: Replace butter with plant-based alternatives and use flax eggs for egg-free baking.

How to Make Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

Start by creaming the unsalted butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, creating the perfect foundation. Next, add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor depth. Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour and gently mix until the dough starts to come together — be careful not to overwork it. Separate the dough if you want to include different colors or flavor options.

Step 2: Add Color or Mix-ins

If you’re using food coloring or flavoring like cocoa powder or spices, now is the time to blend those into your dough portions. Wrap each in plastic wrap to keep everything tidy as you chill.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Refrigerate your wrapped dough logs for at least one hour or overnight. Chilling firms the dough, making slices crisp and clean when cut.

Step 4: Slice and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the chilled dough and slice into uniform ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange them spaced evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges turn golden. Let cool before adding any toppings or packaging.

Pro Tips for Making Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies

Perfect chilling: Don’t skip or shorten the chilling time; it’s key to cleanly sliced, beautiful cookies.
Uniform slices: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to get smooth, even cookie rounds.
Room temperature butter: Start with butter at room temp for easy creaming and a softer dough.
Don’t overcrowd the oven: Give cookies space to spread evenly and to get crispy edges.
Customize with toppings: Add sprinkles before baking or drizzle melted chocolate after for extra flair.

How to Serve Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies

Garnishes

Decorate your cookies with festive touches like colored sugar crystals, edible glitter, or a drizzle of royal icing to capture the holiday spirit in every bite.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or spiced cider to create a cozy and festive treat experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your cookies on decorative trays with holly leaves or pinecones for holiday parties, or package them in clear cello bags tied with ribbon for charming, homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your baked cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, maintaining that perfect crunch and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked dough logs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months — simply thaw overnight before slicing and baking.

Reheating

Warm cookies briefly in a low-temperature oven or microwave for a few seconds to bring back that freshly-baked softness, perfect for indulging anytime.

FAQs

Can I make Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies without food coloring?

Absolutely! The cookies will still taste delicious with their classic buttery color, and you can always add festive toppings for extra holiday flair.

How thin should I slice the dough?

About ¼-inch thick slices work best for even baking and a delightful crisp texture without becoming too delicate.

Can I use these cookies for other holidays?

Definitely. Just adjust colors and decorations to match occasions like Valentine’s Day, Easter, or birthdays for all-year-round fun.

Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling is essential as it helps the dough firm up, making slicing easier and ensuring a well-shaped, evenly baked cookie.

Do Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies need icing?

No icing is required, but adding it is a great way to personalize and decorate your cookies for festive appeal if you want.

Final Thoughts

Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies are the perfect blend of convenience and festive cheer, making holiday baking joyful and stress-free. With simple ingredients, easy steps, and endless customization options, this recipe invites you to create sweet moments quickly and beautifully. Grab your ingredients, roll out the dough, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this delightful holiday classic — you’ll wonder why you ever baked any other way!

Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies

Author: Mary
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)

Print Recipe

Description

Slice & Bake Christmas Cookies are a festive, easy-to-make holiday treat combining quick preparation with customizable colors and flavors. Perfect for gifting, parties, and cozy nights, these beautifully presented cookies offer a delightful crunch and rich buttery flavor. Suitable for bakers of all levels, this recipe delivers elegant cookies with minimal effort and endless festive possibilities.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins and Decorations

Food coloring (as desired)
Sprinkles or edible glitter
1–2 tablespoons cocoa powder (for chocolate swirls)
1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger (for spiced dough)
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
Plant-based butter and flax eggs (for vegan swap)

Instructions

Prepare Your Dough: Start by creaming the room temperature unsalted butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, creating the perfect foundation. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor depth. Gradually mix in the flour and gently combine until the dough just starts to come together—avoid overworking. Separate the dough if using different colors or flavors.
Add Color or Mix-ins: Incorporate food coloring, cocoa powder, spices, or nuts into the dough portions as desired. Wrap each dough log tightly in plastic wrap to keep tidy.
Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the wrapped dough logs for at least 1 hour or overnight. Chilling firms the dough for clean, crisp slices.
Slice and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap chilled dough and slice into uniform 1/4-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife or clean dental floss. Arrange slices spaced evenly on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden. Allow cookies to cool before decorating or packaging.

Notes

Do not shorten chilling time; it is essential for clean slicing and cookie shape.
Use a sharp knife or dental floss to achieve uniform, smooth cookie slices.
Start with room temperature butter for easier creaming and softer dough.
Space cookies adequately on the baking sheet to prevent overcrowding and ensure crisp edges.
Add sprinkles before baking or drizzle melted chocolate after for festive decoration.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Christmas cookies, slice and bake, holiday baking, festive cookies, easy cookies, gift cookies, gluten-free cookies, vegan cookies, customizable cookies