Delicious Christmas Crumbl Sugar Cookies (The BEST Copycat!)

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The holiday season is synonymous with the sweet, comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies. It’s a time for tradition, for gathering with loved ones, and for indulging in treats that bring a little extra sparkle to the festive cheer. In recent years, one cookie has taken the world by storm: the giant, soft, and utterly decadent Crumbl cookie. But what if you could recreate that bakery-quality magic right in your own kitchen, for a fraction of the price? This Christmas Crumbl Sugar Cookies recipe is your golden ticket. It’s a meticulously tested copycat of their famous vanilla sugar cookie, transformed into a festive masterpiece perfect for your holiday platters.

These aren't just any sugar cookies. They are extraordinarily thick, incredibly soft, and boast that signature crinkly edge that Crumbl fans know and love. We’re swapping the traditional almond flavour for a rich, pure vanilla that pairs perfectly with a swirl of creamy, tangy vanilla buttercream frosting. Topped with a cascade of festive Christmas sprinkles, these cookies are more than just a dessert; they are an experience. They are the perfect project for a snowy afternoon, a guaranteed hit at any holiday party, and a delicious way to create new memories with your family. Forget waiting in line or paying premium prices; the very best sugar cookies you’ll taste this season are waiting to be baked by you. For those planning a full holiday menu, if you're looking for savory dishes to balance the sweetness, consider these Simple and Easy Chicken Recipes to Try.

Why This Copycat Recipe is Better Than the Real Thing

It’s a bold claim, but once you try these cookies, you’ll understand. This recipe was designed not just to mimic, but to perfect the beloved Crumbl-style sugar cookie. Here’s why it stands out:

• Perfect Texture, Guaranteed: We’ve unlocked the secrets to that unbelievably soft and tender crumb. Through a specific combination of ingredients and techniques, these cookies stay moist and chewy for days.

• Authentic Bakery Size: Part of the fun of a Crumbl cookie is its giant size! Our recipe shows you exactly how to portion the dough to create massive cookies that are perfect for sharing (or not!).

• Pure Vanilla Flavor: While the classic pink Crumbl cookie uses almond extract, this version focuses on a deep, aromatic vanilla flavor that is universally loved. It’s a classic taste that truly shines.

• Budget-Friendly Baking: A single Crumbl cookie can cost upwards of $4. With this recipe, you can bake over a dozen giant cookies for less than the cost of two from the store, making it an affordable way to share the joy.

• Incredibly Simple Process: Despite their impressive appearance, these cookies are surprisingly straightforward to make. There's no complicated rolling or cutting involved—just scoop, press, chill, and bake. While these cookies are a perfect sweet start, if you're planning your meals for the week, you might also enjoy this savory Easy Satay Chickpea and Quinoa Salad.

The Science Behind the Perfect Soft Sugar Cookie

The magic of this recipe lies in understanding why certain ingredients and steps are used. Let’s break down the key components that contribute to the perfect Crumbl-style texture.

The Power of Cold Butter

Unlike most cookie recipes that call for softened, room-temperature butter, this one starts with cold, cubed butter. This is a crucial technique. As explained by baking experts at King Arthur Baking, cold butter doesn't cream as fully with the sugar. It remains in tiny, distinct pieces throughout the dough. When the cookies hit the heat of the oven, these small butter pieces melt and release steam, creating tiny air pockets. This process results in a cookie that is incredibly tender, light, and cake-like, rather than one that is dense or overly chewy. It also helps the cookies maintain their thick shape instead of spreading out thin.

The Flour Combination: Structure Meets Tenderness

This recipe uses a blend of all-purpose flour and cake flour. This isn’t an arbitrary choice; it’s a calculated method to achieve a specific crumb.

• All-Purpose Flour: This provides the necessary structure and gluten development to ensure the cookie holds together.

• Cake Flour: Cake flour has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour. Less protein means less gluten formation, which is the key to a tender, delicate texture. By combining the two, you get the best of both worlds: a cookie with enough structure to not fall apart, but with the soft, fine crumb of a cake. The source recipe recommends a cake flour substitute method if you don't have any on hand, which is a great resource.

The Secret Ingredients: Cornstarch and Oil

Two unassuming ingredients play a vital role in the final texture:

• Cornstarch: Much like cake flour, cornstarch helps to create tenderness. It is a pure starch that interferes with gluten formation, resulting in a softer, more delicate cookie with those signature slightly crisp edges. Food science resources often highlight cornstarch's ability to soften baked goods.

• Oil: Adding a small amount of vegetable or canola oil to a butter-based dough might seem strange, but it’s a fantastic trick for moisture. Butter is about 80% fat, with the rest being water and milk solids. Oil is 100% fat. This pure fat coats the flour proteins, further inhibiting gluten development and locking in moisture. This ensures the cookies stay incredibly soft and moist for days after baking.

The Critical Chilling Step

The recipe calls for a 30-minute chill time after the dough is portioned. Do not skip this step! Chilling the dough is one of the most important things you can do for a thick, flavorful cookie. According to food science experts, chilling does three things:

1. Solidifies the Fat: Chilling the cold butter and oil ensures they remain solid for longer in the oven, drastically reducing cookie spread.

   
   

2. Hydrates the Flour: During the chill time, the flour absorbs moisture from the eggs and butter, which leads to a chewier texture and a more developed flavor.

3. Concentrates Flavor: As the dough rests, the flavors of the vanilla, sugar, and butter meld and become more pronounced.

Christmas Crumbl Sugar Cookies: The Recipe

This Christmas Crumbl Sugar Cookies recipe beats all others! Ultra-thick and soft with a perfect crinkly edge, these mouthwatering cookies are a vanilla version of the classic Chilled Sugar Cookies. Topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream and festive Christmas sprinkles, they’re the very best copycat Crumbl cookies for your holiday season.

Yields: 13-14 large cookies Prep time: 20 minutes Chill time: 30 minutes Bake time: 9-10 minutes

Ingredients for the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

  
  

• ½ cup canola or vegetable oil

  
  

• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

• ⅔ cup powdered sugar

• 2 large eggs

  
  

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

  
  

• 2 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

  
  

• 2 cups cake flour

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Ingredients for the Vanilla Buttercream:

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

  
  

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

  
  

• 1-2 tbsp heavy cream or milk

• Christmas sprinkles for decorating

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cream Fats and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, combine the cold butter cubes, oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds to start incorporating, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase to medium speed for 30 seconds, then to high speed for a final 30 seconds. The mixture should be very light, fluffy, and pale in color.

2. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl thoroughly.

   
   

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, baking soda, salt, cake flour, and all-purpose flour.

4. Finish the Dough: With the mixer on its lowest speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix only until the flour is just combined. Do not overmix. Scrape the bowl again to ensure everything is incorporated.

   
   

5. Portion and Flatten: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. To get the classic giant Crumbl size, use a large cookie scoop (about ⅓ cup measure) or weigh out 3.25-ounce portions of dough. Place no more than six dough balls on each baking sheet. Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup or glass to gently press each dough ball down to about ¾-inch thickness.

6. Chill the Dough: Place the baking sheets with the flattened dough into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This step is mandatory for thick cookies.

   
   

7. Bake the Cookies: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). For the most even baking, bake one sheet at a time in the center of the oven. Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms are just beginning to turn a light golden brown. The centers will look slightly underdone.

8. Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. Do not transfer them to a wire rack. This allows the centers to finish setting up from the residual heat, ensuring a soft, chewy texture.

Instructions for the Buttercream and Decorating:

1. Make the Frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until just combined.

2. Whip to Perfection: Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of cream. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another 2-3 minutes until the buttercream is exceptionally light and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add the remaining ½ tablespoon of cream and beat again.

3. Decorate: Transfer the frosting to a large piping bag fitted with a large round tip (like a Wilton 2A), or simply use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cooled cookie. Immediately top with your favorite Christmas sprinkles before the buttercream begins to set.

   
   

For another festive and comforting dish, perfect for a chilly day, check out the Ultimate Hearty Garbanzo Bean Soup.

Tips for Absolute Cookie Perfection

• Measure Flour Correctly: The most common baking mistake is adding too much flour. Fluff up your flour with a fork, then use a spoon to scoop it into your measuring cup before leveling it off with a knife. This prevents a dense, heavy cookie.

• Don't Substitute Flours: The combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour is key to the texture. Using only all-purpose flour will result in a tougher cookie.

• Bake One Sheet at a Time: For even heat circulation and perfectly uniform cookies, bake one tray at a time in the center rack of your oven.

• Room Temperature for Frosting: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened to room temperature for the frosting. This is essential for a smooth, lump-free buttercream.

• Don't Overbake: The cookies should look slightly puffy and underdone in the center when you pull them from the oven. They will finish baking on the hot pan. This is the secret to a soft center.

If you enjoy baking projects, you might also like to try your hand at this Easy Simple Summer Veg and Chickpea Traybake, which uses the oven to create delicious flavors.

Conclusion

Baking during the holidays is about more than just the end result; it's about the process, the aromas that fill your home, and the joy of sharing something made with love. These Christmas Crumbl Sugar Cookies encapsulate all of that. They are an impressive, bakery-level treat that is surprisingly simple to create. The soft, thick, vanilla-infused cookie paired with the luscious buttercream frosting is a combination that will have everyone reaching for a second. So, this holiday season, preheat your oven, put on your favorite festive music, and create a new tradition that is as delicious to eat as it is fun to make.

For more comforting meal ideas to round out your holiday menu, consider this Easy Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta or the crowd-pleasing Easy and Romantic Weeknight Vegan Marry Me Pasta. For a unique twist, these Easy Korean Bulgogi Mushrooms or Easy Mushroom Sandwich Melts are fantastic options. Finally, for a healthy and satisfying meal, The Viral Dense Bean Salad and the Easy Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad are always winners.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I freeze these cookies? Absolutely! You can freeze them either frosted or unfrosted. To freeze unfrosted cookies, let them cool completely, then stack them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. To freeze frosted cookies, place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until the frosting is solid (about 1-2 hours), then wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and store in a container. Thaw at room temperature.

2. How long do these cookies stay soft? Thanks to the oil and cornstarch, these cookies stay remarkably soft. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they will last for up to 5 days.

3. Why did my cookies spread and become flat? The most likely culprit is skipping the chilling step or not using cold enough butter. Chilling is essential to solidify the fat, which prevents the cookies from spreading too quickly in the oven.

   
   

4. Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes. You can prepare the dough, flatten the portions on the baking sheet, and then cover and refrigerate them for up to 48 hours before baking.

5. I don't have a stand mixer. Can I still make these? Yes, a powerful hand mixer will work just fine. It may take slightly longer to cream the cold butter and sugars, but you can achieve the same light and fluffy texture.

6. Can I use almond extract instead of vanilla? Of course! If you want the more traditional Crumbl Chilled Sugar Cookie flavor, replace 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract in both the cookie dough and the frosting with ½ teaspoon of almond extract.

   
   

7. My buttercream frosting is too sweet. How can I fix it? The cream cheese in this recipe helps cut the sweetness. You can also add a tiny pinch of salt to the frosting, which will balance the flavors without making it salty.

8. Can I make these cookies smaller? Yes, you can make them any size you like. For smaller cookies (about 2 tablespoons of dough), reduce the baking time to 7-8 minutes.

9. Why do you bake them at such a high temperature (400°F)? Baking at a higher temperature helps the cookies set quickly on the outside, which prevents spreading and contributes to their thick, soft centers.

10. Do I have to use sprinkles? Not at all! You can leave them plain, or get creative with other toppings like crushed peppermint candies, colored sanding sugar, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate.