Sugar Cookies to Decorate
These buttery, perfectly-shaped sugar cookies are 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
- •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, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- 3
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
- 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 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 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.
- 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 before decorating with icing.
💡 Chef tips
- Do not skip the chilling step; it prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape in the oven.
- You can make the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Store finished, undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished cookies should be pale with slightly golden edges, possessing a crisp texture and a sweet, buttery aroma that makes them the perfect base for any decoration.