The Grain Valley Christmas Eve ~ Cookies Recipe
- kassidy764
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for—Christmas Eve! While the presents are tucked under the tree and the holiday movies are on repeat, there is one final, essential tradition to check off the list: Baking the Christmas Cookies.
Whether you are leaving a plate for Santa or hosting the whole family tomorrow, there is something about the smell of vanilla and sugar wafting through a Grain Valley kitchen that makes the holidays feel official. As your Real Estate Advisor, I get to help families find the perfect kitchens to make these memories in, so today, I’m sharing my favorite "fail-proof" sugar cookie recipe to help you finish the season on a sweet note.
In our community, Christmas Eve is about slowing down. We see families walking through the Armstrong Park Holiday Trail one last time or doing a quick "Santa Bus" neighborhood check. But once the sun goes down, it’s all about the kitchen.
Sugar cookies are the ultimate "activity" cookie. They aren't just a snack; they’re an art project for the kids and a nostalgic trip for the adults. If you realized last minute that you’re short on supplies, don’t forget that our local favorites like Sugar Shack on Main Street or KC Baking Creations are staples of our local small-business community—though today, we’re rolling up our sleeves and doing it ourselves!
The "No-Fail" Holiday Sugar Cookie
Yields: About 2 dozen cookies | Prep time: 15 mins (plus chilling)
This recipe is designed to hold its shape perfectly. No "blob" trees or unrecognizable stars here!
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract for that professional bakery taste!)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Instructions:
Cream it up: Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.
Mix Dry: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Combine: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. The dough will be stiff!
The Secret Step: Wrap the dough and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This prevents the cookies from spreading in the oven.
Roll & Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface. Use your favorite festive cutters!
Bake: Place on a parchment-lined sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes. They should still look pale—don't let the edges brown!
Simple Glossy Icing (That Actually Sets!)
This icing is much easier than traditional Royal Icing but still dries hard enough to stack your cookies.
Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp milk (add more 1/2 tsp at a time if too thick)
2 tsp light corn syrup (this gives them that professional shine!)
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions: Whisk everything together until smooth. If it’s too thick to drizzle, add a tiny bit more milk. If it’s too runny, add a spoonful of powdered sugar. Separate into bowls and add food coloring to your heart’s content!
3 Tips for Stress-Free Decorating
The "Out-of-Reach" Sprinkles: If you have toddlers, keep the sprinkles in your control. Let them point to where they want the "snow" to go, or you'll be finding silver balls in your floorboards until July!
The Cooling Rule: Never, ever ice a warm cookie. The icing will melt into a puddle. Wait at least 30 minutes.
Make it a Contest: Have everyone in the family decorate one "Masterpiece" cookie. The winner gets to open one small gift early tonight!
Merry Christmas from My Home to Yours
From the bottom of my heart, I want to wish you and your family a magical, cookie-filled Christmas. Whether you’ve lived in Grain Valley for decades or you’re looking to make this your new home in 2026.
Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!
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