Sugar cookies are a beloved treat that never fails to bring joy to our taste buds. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat, sugar cookies are a classic choice that never disappoints. In this post, we will delve into the delightful world of sugar cookies and offer tips for achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and chewiness. Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth and become a sugar cookie expert!
The Perfect Sugar Cookie Recipe
Author: Kerstin
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Cold butter takes longer to incorporate, but it helps keep the dough cold so the cookies hold their shapes better (aka; prevents spreading!)
- Add egg and both extracts; then mix well.
- Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl and slowly add to butter mixture. Mix until flour is completely incorporated, and dough comes together, scraping down the sides as needed. (The dough is ready when it begins clumping together and pulling away from the sides of the bowl)
- Roll out dough to desired thickness. Flour your rolling pin so it doesn’t stick to the dough, or roll out between two sheets of parchment paper. Cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake on ungreased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes, or until cookies begin to lightly brown around edges.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for about 10 minutes when they get out of the oven. Then, carefully transfer cookies to baking racks and allow to fully cool before decorating. (Try this royal icing recipe!)
Tips
- Make sure all of your baking sheets are prepped with parchment paper before you start rolling out the dough. I always prep one more sheet than I think I need because I always end up needing it! 🙂
- If you don’t plan on decorating these after baking, you can add sugar or sugar sprinkles on top of the cookies before baking.
- You can use a hand mixer for this recipe.
- Don’t get discouraged on step 3. It might seem impossible when you begin mixing the wet and dry ingredients together, but the mixture will eventually come together.
- I love softer cookies, so I take mine out of the oven the minute they start browning. For my oven, this is 10 minutes.
- Substitute the almond extract for other extracts like coconut or lemon to switch up the flavors.
- Use a flat cookie spatula to lift the cookies onto the baking sheet after they’re cut to prevent smudges and rips. (They sell decent ones at dollar tree!)
- If your kitchen is warm or if you work with the dough and it beings getting too soft, put the dough (rolled out on the baking tray) in the freeze for a few minutes to chill them.
- If your cookies do end up spreading, use a cookie spatula and a sharp paring knife to gently push the cookie back into shape IMMEDIATELY after they come out of the oven. Use a cup and swirl the cookie around the counter while under the cup to push a circular cookie back into shape. (if you wait until the cookies cool, they may break when attempting these techniques.
- If you decorate your cookies, allow time for the icing to properly dry before handling them and staking them to prevent dings in the icing.
Decorating Sugar Cookies
Now comes the fun part – decorating those delicious sugar cookies! I use both royal icing and marshmallow fondant to decorate my cookies, but these cookies are delicious as they are, straight out of the oven.
Sugar Cookie Variations and Additions
Sugar cookies are a beloved classic, but who says they have to be plain and simple? With a few creative tweaks, you can transform your sugar cookies into delightful variations that will leave your taste buds dancing. Let’s explore some mouth-watering options that will take your sugar cookies to the next level.
Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies
What’s better than a traditional sugar cookie? A sugar cookie loaded with chocolate chips, of course! By adding chocolate chips to your sugar cookie dough, you get a delectable combination of sweet and rich flavors. The gooey melted chocolate nestled within the soft and buttery cookie will make every bite pure bliss. Whether you prefer semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate, you can tailor the chocolate chip ratio to suit your taste buds perfectly.
Lemon Sugar Cookies
If you’re looking to add a refreshing twist to your sugar cookies, look no further than lemon sugar cookies. Bursting with tangy citrus flavor, these cookies are a delightful treat for lemon lovers. The addition of freshly grated lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice to the cookie dough creates a zesty and bright taste that will transport you to sunny days. The subtle tartness of the lemon perfectly complements the sweet sugar cookie base, making it a truly irresistible combination.
Funfetti Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Sometimes, all you need is a bit of whimsy and fun. Enter sprinkle and funfetti sugar cookies! These colorful cookies are a celebration in every bite. By adding a generous amount of rainbow
sprinkles to the dough, you’ll infuse your sugar cookies with a vibrant burst of colors. Not only do they look festive, but they also add a delightful crunch and a pop of sweetness to every mouthful. These cookies are perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion where you want to spread some cheer.
So there you have it – three delightful and delicious variations to jazz up your plain sugar cookies. Whether you’re a fan of chocolate, citrus, or a touch of whimsy, these additions will take your sugar cookies from ordinary to extraordinary. Get playful with your baking and let your creativity shine through. After all, who can resist a scrumptious sugar cookie with a delightful twist?
