Sugar Cookies

There’s something truly magical about baking Sugar Cookies, especially during the festive season. Growing up, I remember the smell of sweet butter and sugar wafting through the house, inviting everyone to gather in the kitchen. It was a cherished tradition, making these cookies with my family, rolling out the dough and using a variety of colorful cookie cutters. Each shape was a little surprise, and the best part? Decorating them with icing and sprinkles, turning each cookie into a unique masterpiece. Creating Sugar Cookies is more than just a baking task; it’s about love, laughter, and sharing delicious treats with loved ones.

Ingredients Required for Sugar Cookies

When I think about the ingredients for Sugar Cookies, I’m always reminded of how each plays a vital role in creating that perfect flavor and texture. It’s all about balancing the sweetness with the right amount of flour and the richness of butter. Here are the key players that come together to create these delightful cookies:

• 2-1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour: The main base for your cookies, giving them structure and body.
• ¼ cup of Corn Starch: Helps to create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love.
• ¼ teaspoon of Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
• ¾ cup of Unsalted Butter (room temperature): Adds richness and flavor; make sure it’s soft for easy mixing.
• ¾ cup of Granulated Sugar: The sugar not only sweetens but also helps with the cookie’s texture.
• 1 Large Egg (room temperature): Binds all ingredients together and adds moisture.
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
• ½ teaspoon of Almond Extract: Adds a lovely hint of nuttiness to the cookies.
• 4 cups of Powdered Sugar: Used for decorative icing, contributing both sweetness and a smooth texture.
• 3 tablespoons of Meringue Powder: Stabilizes the icing and helps it hold its shape.
• 9-10 tablespoons of Water (room temperature): To achieve the right consistency for icing.
• Gel Food Coloring (optional): For tinting your icing to create colorful designs.

Making Sugar Cookies

Now that we have all our ingredients ready, it’s time to dive into making those delicious Sugar Cookies. This process is straightforward and fun, especially when you get to decorate them at the end!

1. First, sift 2-1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour, ¼ cup of Corn Starch, and ¼ teaspoon of Salt into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Sifting helps eliminate lumps and aerates the flour, ensuring a smooth texture in your dough.

2. In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer to beat ¾ cup of Unsalted Butter and ¾ cup of Granulated Sugar together on medium speed until creamy and well combined, about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is fluffy and lighter in color.

3. Next, reduce the mixer speed to low. Add in the 1 Large Egg, followed by 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract and ½ teaspoon of Almond Extract. Mix until everything is well incorporated.

4. Gradually add the sifted flour mixture one cup at a time. Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl, indicating it’s well combined and ready to be shaped.

5. Take the dough out and form it into a ball. Flatten this ball into a disc shape, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is key to prevent it from spreading while baking.

6. Once chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and turn out perfectly.

7. Lightly flour your work surface and turn out the chilled dough. Using a rolling pin, roll it out to about ¼ to ½ inch thick. The thickness will affect the baking time and texture.

8. Using a 2-1/2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out as many discs as possible, placing them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut out more cookies until all the dough is used.

9. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes. Halfway through, turn the tray around to ensure even baking. You’ll want the edges to be lightly golden.

10. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. While cooling, prepare your icing. In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of Powdered Sugar and 3 tablespoons of Meringue Powder. Gradually add 9-10 tablespoons of Water while mixing on low speed. Once mixed, increase the speed to medium and whip until the icing forms soft peaks, about 7-10 minutes.

12. To use the icing, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a number three tip. If you’ve colored your icing, divide it into bowls and mix in Gel Food Coloring to achieve your desired colors.

13. Pipe the icing around the edges of the cookies, filling them in as you go. Use a toothpick to spread the icing evenly. For designs, wait for the base to set before adding additional colors.

Tips and Variations

Whether you’re looking to perfect your Sugar Cookies or simply want to try something new, here are some helpful tips and variations:

• Storage: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three to four days.
• Freezing: You can freeze undecorated cookies. Allow them to cool completely, then store in a freezer bag for up to a month.
• Flavor variations: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice flavor in your cookies.
• Decorating options: Instead of traditional icing, try using chocolate ganache or cream cheese frosting for a different taste.
• Cookie shapes: Use different cookie cutters to celebrate various occasions or holidays, making your cookies festive!
• Serving ideas: Serve your cookies with a cup of warm milk or coffee for a delightful treat.

Serving This Sugar Cookies

When it comes to serving Sugar Cookies, the possibilities are endless. Here are some fun ideas to make your cookie experience even more enjoyable:

• Perfect for Gatherings: These cookies are a hit at parties and family gatherings, making them a delightful snack option.
• Seasonal Treats: Decorate with seasonal themes, like hearts for Valentine’s Day or snowflakes for Christmas.
• Gift Giving: Package your cookies in decorative boxes or bags to share with friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
• After School Snack: Serve warm cookies to kids as a sweet after-school snack, paired with milk or hot cocoa.
• Cookie Decorating Parties: Organize a fun cookie decorating party, allowing everyone to express their creativity!
• Creative Displays: Arrange cookies on a platter with fruits and nuts for a beautiful centerpiece at any event.

FAQ

Conclusion

Baking Sugar Cookies is a delightful experience that brings joy to any kitchen. With their sweet, buttery flavor and endless decorating possibilities, these cookies are sure to become a favorite. I encourage you to gather your loved ones and try this fun recipe. You’ll create not just cookies, but memories that last a lifetime.

Sugar Cookies

The ultimate comfort food, Sugar Cookies are sweet, buttery, and perfect for any occasion. With their soft and chewy texture, they are a delight to eat. These easy-to-make cookies are sure to become a family favorite, making them a must-try tonight!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine American

Servings 18 servings

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• Wooden Spoon
• Oven
• Mixing Bowl
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

• 2-1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
• ¼ cup Corn Starch
• ¼ tsp Salt
• ¾ cup Unsalted Butter room temperature
• ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Large Egg room temperature
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• ½ tsp Almond Extract
• 4 cups Powdered Sugar
• 3 Tbsp Meringue Powder
• 9-10 Tbsp Water room temperature
• 1 set Gel Food Coloring optional

Instructions

 

• Sift the flour, corn starch and salt into a medium sized mixing bowl.
• Run a whisk through it to mix well and set aside.
• With a stand mixer, In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and the sugar together, on medium speed, until creamy, about 5 minutes.
• Turn the mixer to low and add the egg while beating, then add the vanilla and almond extract.
• One cup at a time add the flour mixture until it is well incorporated. The sugar cookie dough will pull away from the mixing bowl at this point.
• Take the dough and form a ball, then flatten out into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Take the dough out of the refrigerator and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
• Take a rolling pin and roll out to about ¼” – ½” thick.
• Using a 2-1/2” round cookie cutter, cut as many discs out of the dough as possible and place onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat (or parchment paper).
• Take the remaining dough and mold into a ball again and roll out again. Cut out more cookies until all the dough has been used.
• Place the baking sheet into the oven and cook for 12 minutes. Turn the tray around half way.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool a little on the baking sheet before transporting to a wire rack.
• Once cooled completely decorate as desired.
• Add the powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl attached to your stand mixer, as well as the meringue powder and stir a little to mix.
• Using your wire whip, turn on your stand mixer on a low speed and slowly add the water. As the powder subsides you can turn up the speed to medium.
• Whip the mixture well for about 7-10 minutes, until you start to see tips forming.
• Check the consistency of the icing. If it falls off the wire whip and melts back into the bowl of icing within 5-10 seconds then it’s perfect.
• Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap until you are ready to use it.
• Take a piping bag and a number three tip and place into a tall glass, folding the edges over the outside of the glass. This is the easiest way to fill up an icing bag with less mess.
• Use a rubber band to tie the top of the icing bag. Place a piece of wet paper towel in the bottom of the glass, this will help the tip stay moist while you are working.
• If you are using other colors, pour a little of the remaining icing into a small bowl and mix in a little of the food color until you reach the desired color.
• If your cookies have a white background, which most of mine did (in the images), use the piping bag to pipe the icing around the outside edges, and then fill the middle. Use a toothpick to spread the icing evenly.
• Leave cookie to set while you move onto the next, or if you are using sprinkles on your cookies sprinkle them on at this point, while the icing is still wet.
• Use the colors you have mixed and a toothpick to create the designs on the cookies. If you are putting a design on the white background let the white set first before you start with your next color.

Notes

• Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is essential to keep the cookies from spreading in the oven.
• Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for better blending.
• Don’t overwork the dough: Mix just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
• Check baking time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake; they can go from perfect to overdone quickly.
• Experiment with flavors: Feel free to add different flavors to your dough for a unique twist!

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