If you’re looking for the most versatile and BEST Sugar Cookies, look no further! These buttery cookies can either be rolled out and cut into shapes or baked soft and chewy! They are just what Santa and his elves will be looking for this year. If you want other amazing cookies, try these Neapolitan Cookies, Butter Ricotta Cookies, Southern Tea Cakes, Eggnog Butter Cookies or Shortbread Cookies.
Perfect Sugar Cookies Recipe!
The Holiday season is here and that can only mean one thing: Christmas cookies. I (and I know I’m not the only one) just can’t resist a good cookie, and this time of year they’re practically everywhere. Office parties, cookie swaps and heck, even my dentist’s practice are offering these sweet treats.
Whether they’re gingerbread, thumbprint, shortbread or snickerdoodle, I don’t discriminate. But, Sugar Cookies have a special place in my heart and after you’ve had this recipe, they’ll have one in yours too.
How To Make Sugar Cookies
We all know the tell-tale qualities of the classic Sugar Cookie: soft, chewy and buttery. Each bite flirts with the line between too-sweet and just right. The perfect sugar cookie can be enjoyed on its own or coated with colorful icing. In order to get that perfect cookie you’ve gotta take the right steps!
Don’t Skip Out on Chilling Time
Just like you, dough requires a little bit of downtime. This allows the dough to stiffen and therefore, make it easier to be rolled out. Allow your dough to rest for at least 30-40 minutes before getting to work.
Roll Out Your Dough in Small Batches
Rolling out one large sheet of dough can be difficult. It often results in uneven cookies and more work for you. Cut your dough into tennis ball sized pieces and roll out one at a time. Treat the rolling process the same as you would a pie crust.
Slightly Under Bake
Sugar Cookies can be a bit temperamental so it’s essential that you bake them properly. Underbaking your cookies gives them that chew that develops after they’ve cooled. If the edges of your cookie start to brown, they’re overcooked. Start to keep an eye out on your cookies at about 9 minutes and don’t leave them in the oven for longer than 12.
How To Decorate Sugar Cookies
I take no issue with a bare Sugar Cookie; they have enough flavor to stand on their own. But y’all, it’s Christmas! Who doesn’t like a beautifully decorated plate of cookies? You don’t have to be an artist to whip up a few snowmen or some snowflakes that might just look too good to eat.
Choose Your Icing
Choice of frosting is truly all up to you. Use your favorite icing recipe, buy a store bought buttercream or get fancy with a chocolate ganache. Because a sugar cookie has such a mild flavor, you really can’t go wrong.
DIY Piping Bags
Professional piping bags can be expensive and in my opinion, unnecessary. Just bust out a few of those trusty Ziploc baggies you stuff into junk drawers. Fold over the top of the baggie, spoon your icing into the baggie and use scissors to cut the pointed tip off one side if your bag.
Be careful! The size of the cut you make will determine how much icing will come out as once.
Invest in Piping Tips
Wanna step up your cookie decorating game? Piping tips come in an assortment of sizes and shapes. They allow you to create more intricate patterns and achieve a more polished look. You can find inexpensive sets of piping tips online or at your local craft store.
To use the tips you’ll need to cut a larger hole at the tip of your bag and insert the tip before spooning in your icing. Make sure the tip is snug otherwise the icing will seep out around the bag.
Don’t be afraid to play! Have fun with the trial and error process. They may not all look great but at least you’ll have had fun.
Can You Freeze The Extra Sugar Cookie Recipe Dough?
Absolutely! This time of year can be hectic and overwhelming; there are always seems to be another ugly sweater party or potluck dinner on the calendar. Why not make things a bit simpler this year?
Prepare your Sugar Cookie dough according to the recipe provided. Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap. Place your dough in a sealed freezer bag and label it with the current date.
When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator. Roll it out, cut it into shapes and bake according to the recipe. Done!
This year when you’re pondering what your contribution to the church holiday bake sale will be, you’ll be ready.
How To Make Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by preheating oven to 375 F.
- In a large bowl, add flour, baking powder and salt and whisk together until well combined.
- In your stand mixer, add butter and sugar and mix on medium high speed until light, fluffy and creamy (about 4-5 minutes).
- Next add in egg and vanilla and continue mixing until smooth. Scrape down sides if needed.
- Finally turn mixer down to slow speed and add flour mixture in intervals of 3 and mix until combined.
- Remove the cookie dough from mixer and cut into 4 mounds of dough and wrap with plastic wrap creating disks. Refrigerate for about 30-40 minutes.
- For regular drop sugar cookies, scoop out 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Pat with your hand slightly to flatten.
- For roll out/cut out sugar cookies, add a disk of dough to a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper. Roll until about ⅛ inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut shapes.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
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These were such a breeze to make, and so tasty! They have that classic, sweet sugar cookie taste, reminded me of my grandma’s cookies. I used a gluten-free flour for my celiac sibling, but you couldn’t even tell. Underbaking was definitely key to keeping them tender. Great recipe!
The most important tip for me has been to slightly under bake them. Doing that fixed the issue with them breaking into pieces.
Great tips for perfect sugar cookies! And loving that airplane cookie cutter, so cute!!
These were so easy to make and turned out fantastic!
Adorable cookies ! I’m always looking for great recipes to make with the kids and I can’t wait to bust out my food coloring and make these with them!
Thanks for this awesome tutorial for sugar cookies! Great recipe.