A simple, nostalgic recipe that never disappoints.

There’s something about sugar cookies that instantly whispers holiday magic.
Maybe it’s the soft, buttery dough. Maybe it’s the smell of vanilla and cinnamon drifting through the kitchen. Or maybe it’s the memory of little hands pressing cookie cutters into the dough, leaving behind stars, trees, and gingerbread men.

Welcome to Day 3 of our 25 Days of Simple Christmas countdown. Today’s recipe is a classic: Soft Sugar Cookies, a recipe that never fails to bring warmth, joy, and a touch of nostalgia into your home.

These cookies are soft, tender, and lightly sweetened with whole-food ingredients. They’re the perfect base for frosting, sprinkles, or simply enjoying plain with a cup of cocoa. And best of all? They’re made with love—and real, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about serving your family.

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A Sweet Family Memory

I’ll never forget our very first Christmas baking sugar cookies with my kids.

I set up a little station in the kitchen with rolling pins, cookie cutters, and a tray full of sprinkles. The kids were ecstatic—one immediately tried to eat the dough, the other meticulously pressed out stars and trees. Our dog wandered in, hoping for a taste, and my husband humored the chaos while snapping pictures.

The best part? Watching my kids giggle while decorating the cookies together, carefully adding sprinkles and frosting. By the end of the day, the counter was covered in flour, a few cookies had fallen on the floor, and the kitchen smelled like pure Christmas.

We ate some right away with warm mugs of Day 1 Hot Cocoa topped with Day 2 Marshmallows, and saved the rest for gifts, neighbors, and breakfast the next morning.

That first year taught me an important holiday lesson: it’s not about perfection, it’s about presence.

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Why Soft Sugar Cookies Deserve a Spot in Your Holiday Rotation

1. Whole-food ingredients you can trust

No artificial colors or refined sugars—just real ingredients that nourish as well as delight.

2. Soft, tender, and easy to work with

Unlike many traditional sugar cookies, these stay soft and chewy, perfect for decorating or enjoying plain.

3. Family-friendly and fun

Kids can help roll, cut, and decorate—an activity that doubles as quality time.

4. Great for gifting

Layer in parchment paper, tie with twine, and you’ve got a thoughtful homemade gift.

5. The perfect base for frosting

Pair these with our Day 4 Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting, and your cookies will feel extra-special for holiday gatherings.

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Soft Sugar Cookies (Whole-Food Version)

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix wet ingredients: In a bowl, combine coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Add dry ingredients: Mix in almond flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms.
4. Roll and cut: Dust a surface with almond flour. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters for desired shapes.
5. Bake: 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Do not overbake—they’ll firm up as they cool.
6. Cool and decorate: Let cookies cool completely before frosting or sprinkling.

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Ways We Love to Enjoy Them

• Decorate with our Day 4 Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting for extra indulgence.
• Sandwich two cookies with frosting in the middle for a mini holiday treat.
• Dip in cocoa from Day 1 topped with Day 2 marshmallows.
• Package in jars or boxes as gifts for neighbors and teachers.

Every bite is a little memory in the making. There’s flour on the counter, sprinkles on the floor, laughter echoing through the kitchen—and at the end of it all, soft sugar cookies that taste just like Christmas should.

Day 3 is complete! Tomorrow, we’ll move to Day 4: Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting—a creamy, dreamy topper that makes every holiday dessert sparkle.