Sugar Cookies to Decorate
These classic, buttery sugar cookies hold their shape perfectly in the oven and make a delicious canvas for icing and sprinkles.
Ingredients
- •2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (315g)
- •3/4 tsp baking powder
- •1/4 tsp salt
- •1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225g)
- •1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- •1 large egg, room temperature
- •2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 2
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- 3
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully combined.
- 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until the flour disappears and a dough forms.
- 5
Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- 6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 7
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disk to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- 8
Cut out shapes using your favorite cookie cutters and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
- 9
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden.
- 10
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
💡 Chef tips
- Do not skip chilling the dough, as this prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and losing their sharp cut-out shapes.
- If the dough becomes too soft and sticky while rolling, pop it back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Baked and undecorated cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished cookies should have lightly golden edges, a tender and buttery crumb, and a sweet vanilla aroma, providing a sturdy yet soft base for royal icing and sprinkles.