Description
These classic Christmas sugar cookies offer a perfect balance of a soft, pillowy interior and a sturdy structure for festive decorating. Infused with rich vanilla and high-quality butter, they serve as a versatile canvas for holiday creativity and warm seasonal memories.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent.
- Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat thoroughly until the dough is smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three separate parts, mixing on low speed just until the flour disappears.
- Divide the dough into two portions and roll them out on a lightly floured surface to about a 1/4-inch thickness, then cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes until the edges are just slightly golden; let the cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Notes
For the cleanest edges on your holiday shapes, try chilling the rolled dough in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before using your cookie cutters. Using room-temperature eggs ensures a smoother emulsion with the creamed butter, leading to a more consistent cookie texture throughout the batch.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American