Chef Jeremy’s Favorite Holiday Sugar Cookies

decorated holiday sugar cookies cooling on a counter

There’s something magical about the smell of cookies baking in the oven during the holidays. For many of us, it’s a special memory. A reminder of time spent with family, frosting-covered fingers, and cookie tins packed with love.

We believe food connects us in powerful ways, and nothing says “home for the holidays” quite like a classic sugar cookie. That’s why we asked Executive Chef Jeremy Crossmon to share one of his personal favorites for the season: soft, buttery sugar cookies made to be rolled, cut, and decorated as a family.

Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

  1. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  2. 1 cup granulated sugar

  3. 1 large egg

  4. 1 tsp vanilla extract

  5. 1/2 tsp almond extract

  6. 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  7. ¾ tsp baking powder

  8. ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

  2. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.

  5. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

  6. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  7. On a floured surface, roll dough to ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes.

  8. Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden.

  9. Cool completely before decorating.

Decorating with the Whole Family

Once the cookies have cooled, it's time to decorate! Even little hands can help with this step.

For extra fun, whip up a few small bowls of icing and tint each one with a different food-safe color. Set up a decorating station with piping bags, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, and edible glitter. It’s an easy way to slow down, get creative, and make memories!

Homemade Icing for Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

  1. 2 cups powdered sugar

  2. 2–3 tablespoons milk

  3. 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

  4. ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

  5. Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.

  2. Stir in corn syrup and extract until glossy and slightly thickened.

  3. Add more milk for a thinner consistency or more sugar for thicker piping.

  4. Divide and add food coloring to customize.

We hope they bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to ours. From all of us at The Leaf, we wish you a sweet and memorable Holiday Season!

Tried this recipe? Tag us in your sweet creations on Facebook or Instagram. We’d love to see what you whip up!

We're branching out with a new dinner experience. The Leaf, located in downtown Wooster, is expanding its dinner offerings and ensuring a richer dining experience for guests. Open Tuesday through Sunday, our culinary team creates elevated dishes that evolve with the season. Bring a friend or dine solo for a relaxing meal away from home.

Make your reservations online or by calling 330-804-0126.

Jason Stine