Sugar Cookies are another sweet treat synonymous with the holidays. They can be cut into any shape and decorated with icing and sprinkles to make any celebration more festive. They are also adorable at Valentine’s cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter.

The below recipe is one that I have used over and over and is really quiet easy. Chill the dough as instructed below to make it easier to work with when rolling out.

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Assorted candies, sprinkles or colored sugars for decorating (optional)

Icing

1 ½ cup confectioners’ sugar

3-4 TBSP milk, water or lemon juice

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt set aside.
  2. In another bowl, with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With the mixer on low, gradually add in the flour mixture; beat until combined. Divide the dough in half; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic; freeze until firm, at least 20 minutes.
  3. Preheat over to 325 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment. Remove one dough disk; let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Roll out 1/8 inch thick between two sheets of floured parchment, dusting dough with flour as needed. Cut shapes with the cookie cutter(s). Using a spatula, transfer to prepared baking sheets. (If dough gets soft, chill for 10 minutes as needed).
  4. Bake rotating the pans halfway through cooking until edges are golden about 10 to 18 minutes (depending on your oven and size). Cool completely on wire racks.
  5. For the icing, sift confectioners’ sugar into a small bowl. Whisk in milk, water or lemon juice, 1 TBSP at a time; if too thick add a little more liquid.
  6. To ice the cookies, spread with back of a spoon. Let the icing harden, about 20 minutes. Decorate as you wish.
  7. Store cookies in an air tight container for up to 1 week. Or, freeze in an air tight container for freezer bag for several months.

Enjoy! XOXO Jill