Description
Sweet and buttery rolled sugar cookies bring joy to holiday tables with their delicate crunch and festive charm. Delightful hints of vanilla dance across each perfectly shaped treat, inviting guests to savor classic American baking magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- 1 cup (230 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
Binders and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Stabilizers and Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Decoration (Optional):
- Royal icing or buttercream frosting
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Craft a velvety dough by vigorously creaming butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale. Incorporate egg and aromatic extracts, blending until smooth and homogeneous. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, leavening agent, and seasoning, then gently fold into the wet ingredients until a cohesive, tender dough emerges.
- Partition the dough into twin disks, envelop each in clingy film, and nestle in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for a minimum of 60 minutes. This chilling ritual allows the fats to solidify, facilitating effortless rolling and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- Calibrate the oven to 350F, creating a welcoming thermal environment. Drape baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats to ensure pristine release and effortless cleanup.
- Dust a clean surface with a whisper of flour, then roll out a dough disk to a precise quarter-inch thickness. Employ whimsical cookie cutters to transform the dough into delightful shapes, transferring each delicate creation to the prepared baking landscape with gentle precision.
- Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the heated oven, allowing them to transform for 8-10 minutes. Watch vigilantly for the slightest golden hue along the edges; a sign of perfection. Permit the cookies to rest briefly on the hot surface before migrating to a cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, embellish the cookies with royal icing, buttercream artistry, or a sprinkle of festive decorations, turning each cookie into a canvas of culinary creativity.
Notes
- Ensure butter is truly softened at room temperature for the smoothest, creamiest cookie dough that blends effortlessly.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and create crisp, clean-edged cookies with perfect shape retention during baking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats for even baking and easy cookie removal without any sticking or breaking.
- Experiment with flavor variations by swapping vanilla extract with orange zest, lemon extract, or adding warm spices like cinnamon for unique taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg