Copycat Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies Recipe

When it comes to holiday baking, Betty Crocker has long been a trusted name in kitchens across the world. Their easy-to-follow recipes and creative ideas have been making Christmas cookies a beloved tradition for generations. From classic sugar cookies to innovative twists on timeless favorites, Betty Crocker Christmas cookie recipes are designed to inspire and delight both novice bakers and seasoned pros.

How to make Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies are a seasonal treat mix from Betty Crocker designed to make festive cookies for the holiday season. Typically, they come as a ready-to-make cookie mix where you just add basic ingredients like butter, eggs, and sometimes water, then bake.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds great flavor)
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

For the Decoration (Optional but Fun!):

• Betty Crocker Gel Food Colors (red, green, or your favorite holiday colors)
• Frosting or royal icing (store-bought or homemade)
• Colored sugar, sprinkles, or edible glitter for decorating

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step ensures your cookies will have a tender texture.
2. Mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and egg. Beat until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
4. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Chilling the dough is key to ensuring your cookies hold their shape when baked.

Step 2: Roll, Cut, and Bake

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters (like stars, trees, or candy canes) to cut out shapes. Transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be cautious not to overbake for soft, tender cookies.
• Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Decorate the Cookies!

1. This is the most fun part! Once the cookies are completely cooled, it’s time to get creative.
2. Colorful Icing: Tint royal icing or frosting with Betty Crocker Gel Food Colors for vibrant holiday hues, like red, green, or blue. Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to add designs like stripes, snowflakes, or outlines on your cookies.
3. Sprinkles and Edible Glitter: While the icing is wet, sprinkle on colored sugar, edible glitter, or festive sprinkles to add sparkle.
4. Personal Touches: Write names or holiday wishes on the cookies using fine-tipped decorating tools. These personalized cookies also make excellent gifts!

Helpful Tips for Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies

To make your baking experience a success, keep these tips in mind:

• Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling process! It helps the cookies retain their shapes and prevents spreading in the oven.
• Flour Smartly: When rolling out dough, lightly flour your surface but avoid using too much, as excess flour can affect the texture of your cookies.
• Test Bake a Cookie: If you’re nervous about baking times, bake one cookie first to test the perfect timing and adjust as needed.
• Store Properly: Store your completed cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze undecorated cookies for later decorating or save baked cookies in the freezer for up to a month.
• Mix and Match: Get creative! You can adapt the dough to make different cookie styles, like adding cocoa powder for chocolate cookies or mixing in crushed peppermint for a festive twist.

Ingredients Substitutes

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies are a holiday baking favorite, but you might find yourself missing an ingredient or looking for alternatives to suit dietary needs, preferences, or allergies.

1. Butter (or Margarine)

Substitute Options:

• Unsalted Margarine or Plant-Based Butter: Use in a 1:1 ratio if you need a dairy-free or vegan option. Look for high-quality margarine or plant-based butters that are made for baking.
• Coconut Oil: Substitute melted coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio. It will add a subtle coconut flavor, so it works well for sugar or shortbread cookies.
• Vegetable Oil or Neutral Oils: You can use neutral oils like canola or sunflower oil in cookies that don’t heavily rely on creaming butter (such as gingerbread). Use 3/4 cup of oil for every 1 cup of butter.

2. Powdered Sugar (or Confectioners’ Sugar)

Substitute Options:

• Granulated Sugar: Use granulated sugar in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute, but know that granulated sugar can slightly alter texture (cookies may be a bit crispier). A quick option is to grind granulated sugar into a finer texture in a blender or food processor.
• Brown Sugar: For a richer, more caramel-like flavor, replace powdered sugar with light brown sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Note that this changes the cookie texture slightly, as brown sugar retains more moisture.

3. Vanilla Extract

Substitute Options:

• Imitation Vanilla: While it’s not as rich as pure vanilla extract, imitation vanilla can be swapped in at a 1:1 ratio.
• Almond Extract: Almond extract provides a festive alternative, but use only half the amount (e.g., use 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for 1 teaspoon vanilla) as it’s a much stronger flavor.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: For natural sweetness with a touch of flavor, replace vanilla with pure maple syrup or honey in a 1:1 ratio.

4. All-Purpose Flour

Substitute Options:

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, such as Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Baking Flour. These blends often include xanthan gum to maintain structure.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Replace up to 50% of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, denser result.
• Almond Flour (or Other Nut Flours): For naturally gluten-free cookies, substitute almond flour in a 1:1 ratio for denser, softer cookies. You may need to chill the dough more, as almond flour creates a softer texture.

Final Thoughts

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies are incredibly versatile – whether you’re enjoying them warm from the oven or serving them at a festive gathering, there are endless ways to pair and enhance their flavors. 

More Betty Crocker Recipes:

• Copycat Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookies

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 1 Hour Cooking Time: 30 Minutes 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 150 calories 7 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

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Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream

For the Decoration

• Betty Crocker Gel Food Colors 
• Frosting or royal icing
• Colored sugar,

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step ensures your cookies will have a tender texture.
2. Mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and egg. Beat until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
4. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Chilling the dough is key to ensuring your cookies hold their shape when baked.

Step 2: Roll, Cut, and Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters (like stars, trees, or candy canes) to cut out shapes. Transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be cautious not to overbake for soft, tender cookies.
4. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Decorate the Cookies!

1. This is the most fun part! Once the cookies are completely cooled, it's time to get creative.
2. Colorful Icing: Tint royal icing or frosting with Betty Crocker Gel Food Colors for vibrant holiday hues, like red, green, or blue. Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to add designs like stripes, snowflakes, or outlines on your cookies.
3. Sprinkles and Edible Glitter: While the icing is wet, sprinkle on colored sugar, edible glitter, or festive sprinkles to add sparkle.
4. Personal Touches: Write names or holiday wishes