Sugar cookies are a Christmas classic, known for their simplicity and versatility. The dough is often rolled out and cut into festive shapes such as stars, trees, snowflakes, and more. Once baked, these cookies become the perfect canvas for decorating with colorful icing, sprinkles, edible glitter, and other toppings.
Key Features:
Versatility: Sugar cookies are easy to customize with different shapes and decorations, making them a fun activity for both kids and adults during the holidays.
Soft or Crispy: Depending on the recipe, sugar cookies can be soft and chewy or crisp, giving you flexibility based on personal preference.
Decorations: Royal icing or buttercream is often used to frost sugar cookies, while sprinkles and edible pearls add color and texture. You can also use food coloring to dye the icing in festive holiday colors like red, green, and gold.
The decorating process is as enjoyable as eating the cookies, allowing you to get creative and make personalized treats for family and friends.
Here’s a simple recipe for classic sugar cookies that are perfect for cutting into festive shapes and decorating:
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add Egg and Flavorings:
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. If the dough seems too dry, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.
Chill the Dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut.
Roll Out and Cut:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes.
Bake:
Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely before decorating.
Decorate:
Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, buttercream, or sprinkles.
This recipe is great for making Christmas-themed cookies like stars, trees, or snowflakes!
For more detailed versions of sugar cookie recipes, you can check out trusted sources like Sally’s Baking Addiction or AllRecipes.