A Holiday Butter Cookie Box is my favorite way to celebrate and share the season. I fill a box with a variety of buttery, tender cookies—some dipped in chocolate, some sandwiched with jam, others decorated with sprinkles. It’s festive, customizable, and perfect for gifting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love creating a butter cookie box because it’s both creative and comforting. The base dough is simple and rich, and I can shape and flavor it in endless ways. It’s a thoughtful homemade gift or a beautiful centerpiece for a holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Egg yolks
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Salt
Optional add-ins: jam, melted chocolate, holiday sprinkles, citrus zest, almond extract, cocoa powder

Directions

I cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
I mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract (or other flavorings).
I gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until a smooth dough forms.
I divide the dough if making multiple variations (e.g., cocoa, citrus, almond).
I shape the cookies: rolling into balls, pressing with forks, piping into rosettes, or cutting with cookie cutters.
I chill the shaped cookies for 15–20 minutes to prevent spreading.
I bake them at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Once cool, I decorate or sandwich them as desired.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 40–50 cookies depending on size and shape. Total time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, including chilling and baking.

Variations

I dip some in dark or white chocolate and top with crushed peppermint or sprinkles.
I make sandwich cookies with raspberry or apricot jam.
I flavor a batch with almond extract and press a whole almond into each one.
I mix cocoa powder into part of the dough for a chocolate twist.

Storage/Reheating

I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, I freeze them in layers with parchment paper. I don’t reheat them—just thaw at room temperature if frozen. Some decorated cookies stay best in the fridge, especially those with chocolate or jam fillings.

FAQs

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, I often prepare the dough up to 3 days ahead and keep it wrapped in the fridge, or freeze it for longer.

How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?

I always chill the shaped dough before baking. It helps the cookies hold their shape and gives a better texture.

Can I use cookie cutters with this dough?

Yes, I roll the dough out slightly chilled and use cutters for festive shapes. I re-chill the shapes before baking for best results.

What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?

I use melted chocolate, sprinkles, colored sugar, or sandwich fillings. I let my creativity lead—it’s hard to go wrong.

Are these good for gifting?

Absolutely. I layer the cookies in a decorative box with parchment paper between layers. They’re sturdy and hold up well in transit.

Conclusion

A Holiday Butter Cookie Box is my favorite kind of edible gift—it’s homemade, beautiful, and full of flavor. Whether I’m keeping it classic or getting creative with decorations, these cookies are a true holiday tradition in my kitchen.