Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that absolutely dazzles at every holiday party, you’ve got to try this Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—deliciously buttery, perfectly crisp, and just begging for colorful, quirky icing designs. When I first tried making “ugly sweater” themed cookies, I discovered that the secret isn’t just in the decorations but in the cookie itself. This recipe has become my go-to for holiday baking because it’s easy to work with and yields a tasty cookie that holds its shape beautifully. Stick around—I’m going to walk you through everything so your cookies come out incredible every single time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together to create that perfect sugar cookie base: buttery, lightly sweet, and sturdy enough for all your decorating creativity. When shopping, I recommend using good-quality butter and fresh extracts because they really make a difference in flavor.

• Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter blends into the sugar smoothly for a tender, rich cookie.
• Granulated Sugar: The classic sweetener keeps the cookies crisp with just the right level of sweetness.
• Large Eggs & Egg Yolks: They add richness and help with dough binding so your cookies stay firm.
• Vanilla Extract: A must-have for that warm, comforting aroma that feels like holidays in a bite.
• Almond Extract: Adds a subtle nutty note that takes these cookies up a notch flavor-wise.
• All-Purpose Flour: Sifted with the baking powder and salt to keep the texture light and even.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Baking Powder: Just enough to give a slight lift without spreading too much.

Variations

One of the best things about this Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is. I love to mix it up with different extracts or decorations depending on the mood and the occasion. Feel free to make this recipe your own and get creative!

• Flavor Variations: I’ve swapped out almond extract for peppermint to give the cookies a cool holiday twist that really delights guests.
• Dietary Modifications: For a gluten-free version, I’d recommend experimenting with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and adjusting bake time.
• Decorative Twists: Try using colored sugars, sprinkles, or edible glitter on the icing to make your sweaters extra “ugly” and festive!
• Size and Shape: If you don’t have a sweater cookie cutter, freehand cutting works perfectly—my kids enjoy making quirky shapes that add personality.

How to Make Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Start by beating the room temperature butter and sugar together until they’re light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. I like to use a stand mixer for this step because it saves my wrists a bit of work—and you’ll see the mixture turn from gritty sugar to a creamy texture. This is the base for an amazingly tender cookie, so give it the full two-minute whisking.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts

With your mixer on low speed, add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated. Don’t rush—scrape down the bowl’s sides after combining so everything stays well mixed. Then add vanilla and almond extracts for that signature flavor. Almond might be an unexpected addition, but trust me, it gives the cookies that holiday magic!

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Adding the dry ingredients slowly—about a cup at a time—to the wet mix, stir on low until just combined. The dough should come together but not be sticky. Once mixed, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling stage is crucial for rolling out clean cookies that don’t lose their shape.

Step 4: Roll and Cut Your Sweaters

After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. If you have a sweater-shaped cookie cutter, this is your moment to shine! I like making mine roughly the size of my hand—perfectly snackable. If you don’t have a cutter, try drawing a sweater template on parchment and cutting around it with a knife. Get creative—the “ugly” part makes imperfections charming!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your cookies for 6 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges—they should be just beginning to turn golden while the centers remain soft. I learned the hard way that a second too long in the oven can make these lose their tender crumb. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the tray until firm, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

How to Serve Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love decorating these cookies with royal icing in wild and colorful patterns—think zigzags, dots, pom-poms, and stripes that poke fun at traditional ugly sweaters. Adding small candies, edible glitter, or colored sugar crystals really brings the design to life. Be as whimsical as you want—after all, the fun is in the “ugly”!

Side Dishes

Because these cookies are a sweet highlight, I like to pair them with festive drinks like hot cocoa or mulled cider. They also go great alongside other holiday cookies if you’re putting together a Christmas cookie platter for gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For the holidays, I’ve arranged these Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe on a vintage wooden board with sprigs of holly and pinecones for an authentic feel. They also look adorable wrapped individually in cellophane tied with colorful ribbons—perfect for gifting to friends and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated and fully cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually layer parchment paper between the cookies to keep the icing from sticking. They stay fresh and crisp for up to 5 days, which is perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday week.

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch ahead of time, I freeze undecorated cookie dough. Just shape into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out. You can also freeze baked cookies without icing in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container for several weeks.

Reheating

Reheating sugar cookies can be tricky because you want to keep them crisp without drying them out. I usually just bring them to room temperature before serving or warm briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes—perfect for freshening without melting the icing.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I know you’ll love it, too. Not just because the cookies taste awesome, but because decorating them turns into a whole family event full of laughs and silly designs. They’re the perfect blend of tasty and playful, and I promise they’ll steal the show at any party or gathering. So grab your cookie cutters and let your creativity run wild—you’re about to make cookies that’ll have everyone asking for your secret recipe!

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