Monday, December 23, 2013

Frosted Sugar Cookies

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Everyone needs a great go to sugar cookie recipe, so I'm sharing this one with you.

I've been making these cookies for years; they're my go-to cut out cookies for all the holidays.

This is the perfect sugar cookie recipe because it doesn't puff up at all, which is crucial in a cutout cookie.

It's not too late to make homemade cutout cookies for Santa and decorate them with all kinds of yummy goodness. Around here we like using frosting and sprinkles on all our cookies:)

I've already made two batches of these cookies and I know you'll love them too.

Here's what you need:

1-1/3 cups butter, unsalted, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
3-3/4 cup flour, unbleached
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt


Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3-4 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbs. milk or cream (as much as needed to get the right consistency)

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.

In a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
 
Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
 
Add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated.
 
You may chill the dough up to 1 hour, but it's not necessary.  I use the dough right after I make it.  Place a large piece of parchment paper on the counter and lightly dust it with flour.  
 
Place about 1/3 of the dough on the parchment paper and lightly dust with flour. Roll out to 1/4 - 1/8 inch then brush off the excess flour with a pastry brush.  Start cutting out the cookies using cookie cutters.
 
I place my cookie cutters as close to the edges, and each other, as possible to use as much dough the first time so I'm not re-rolling the dough a bunch of times.
Place on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.  You don't want them to turn brown.  Remove to cooling rack and cool completely.
To make frosting cream the butter and powdered sugar then add the vanilla and milk and beat until smooth and the consistency you want.
 
Place frosting in small bowls and add a few drops of food coloring gel.  Mix until the color is completely incorporated and the color you desire.
 
You can also make Royal Icing to frost these but I think buttercream is easier for the kiddos to use.
 
I use paper towels and cookie sheets to put the frosted cookies on until they dry.
 
This is a really easy recipe and can easily be made in one day.  

Enjoy!

Serves ~ about 4 dozen
Here's the handy printable - Frosted Sugar Cookies

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