Sugar Cookies to Decorate
These classic, buttery sugar cookies hold their shape perfectly in the oven, making them the ideal canvas for your favorite royal icing or sprinkles.
Ingredients
- •2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (315g)
- •1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- •1/4 teaspoon salt
- •3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (170g)
- •3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g)
- •1 large egg, room temperature
- •1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- 2
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- 3
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a dough forms.
- 5
Divide the dough in half, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- 6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 7
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- 8
Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden.
- 9
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool fully before decorating.
💡 Chef tips
- If the dough becomes too sticky while rolling, chill it for an additional 15 minutes; cold dough is much easier to cut.
- You can make the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze them for up to three months.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished cookies should have a crisp, buttery edge with a soft, tender center and a sweet, vanilla-scented aroma.