Magical Sugar Star Cookies Recipe for Sweet Holiday Baking

Sweet dreams come true with these delightful sugar star cookies that sparkle like edible magic.

Memories of childhood bake sales dance through my mind whenever I mix this simple dough.

Delicate and crisp, each star-shaped treat promises a moment of pure culinary joy.

Bakers of all skill levels can create these charming delights with just a few pantry ingredients.

Sprinkled with shimmer and love, these cookies turn ordinary afternoons into special celebrations.

The smiles when you serve these twinkling treats that blend classic comfort with festive cheer.

Grab a mixing bowl and let’s make memories one sugar star cookie at a time.

Why Sugar Star Cookies Are Great For Any Occasion

• Effortless Flavor Fusion: These sugar star cookies blend classic vanilla sweetness with a subtle hint of almond, creating a delightful taste profile that dances on your taste buds.
• Quick and Simple Creation: With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward mixing steps, bakers of all skill levels can whip up these delectable treats in no time, making them perfect for spontaneous baking moments.
• Versatile Texture Delight: The recipe promises a soft, tender cookie with a light, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth, offering a satisfying crunch that's not too crisp or too soft.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: These star-shaped cookies are an excellent way to introduce children to baking, providing a fun and engaging cooking experience that creates lasting family memories.

What You’ll Need For Sugar Star Cookies

• Flour: A key structure for the cookie, providing the foundational texture and shape.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender, soft cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning and crisp edges.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.

• Vanilla Extract: Brings a classic, warm sweetness to the cookies.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that adds a delicate, nutty flavor complexity.

How To Bake Sugar Star Cookies With Ease

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and creamy. The texture should look fluffy and pale.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)

Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and create a smooth consistency.

Step 4: Form Cookie Dough

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix gently and carefully, stirring just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps prevent spreading and allows flavors to develop.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 7: Roll and Cut Cookies

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to create festive shapes.

Step 8: Bake Cookies

Place star-shaped cookies on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Avoid overcooking to maintain a soft texture.

Step 9: Cool and Decorate

Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely. Decorate with colored icing, sprinkles, or powdered sugar if desired.

Simple Tips For Sugar Star Cookies Success

• Prevent Flour Clumps: Sift dry ingredients together to ensure a smooth, lump-free dough and even distribution of baking powder and salt.
• Achieve Perfect Butter Texture: Let butter soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before creaming, creating a light and airy cookie base.
• Extract Enhancement: Use pure vanilla and almond extracts for rich, deeper flavor profiles that elevate the cookie's taste.
• Chill Dough for Better Shape: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp star shapes.
• Allergen-Friendly Adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil and use gluten-free flour blend for dairy-free and gluten-sensitive bakers.

How To Store And Reheat Sugar Star Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to maintain crisp edges.
• Revive: Warm slightly stale cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispness and fresh-baked taste.

What To Pair With Sugar Star Cookies

• Enhance Sweet Harmony: Pair these sugar star cookies with a warm cup of chamomile tea, which complements the cookie's delicate sweetness and provides a soothing counterpoint to the buttery texture.
• Match Creamy Indulgence: Serve alongside a rich vanilla bean latte to elevate the cookie's subtle almond and vanilla notes, creating a luxurious flavor experience that melts in your mouth.
• Brighten Dessert Moment: Complement the cookies with a chilled glass of cold milk, allowing the classic combination to bring out the cookie's rich butter and sugar profile while providing a refreshing contrast.
• Elevate Flavor Adventure: Enjoy with a scoop of lavender honey ice cream, which adds an unexpected floral dimension that beautifully enhances the cookie's delicate sweetness and intricate extracts.

Ways To Make Sugar Star Cookies Your Own

• Sweet Chocolate Chip Stars: Fold 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough for a rich, indulgent flavor. The chips will melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of gooey chocolate in each star-shaped cookie.
• Lemon Zest Sparkle Stars: Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest to the dough and replace almond extract with lemon extract. These bright, citrusy cookies will have a refreshing tang that cuts through the sweetness.
• Cinnamon Sugar Crunch Stars: Sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and raw sugar on top of the cookies before baking. This adds a warm, caramelized coating and extra texture to the classic sugar cookie.
• Coconut Dream Stars: Mix 1/2 cup of shredded coconut into the dough and roll the edges in toasted coconut flakes before baking. These tropical-inspired cookies offer a subtle nutty crunch and exotic flavor profile.

Common Questions About Sugar Star Cookies

• Can I make these cookies without almond extract?

Yes, you can simply omit the almond extract. The cookies will still taste delicious with just vanilla extract.

• How can I tell if the butter and sugar are mixed correctly?

The mixture should look creamy and pale, with a light, fluffy texture. When you lift the mixer, it should form soft peaks and look almost like whipped cream.

• What's the best way to mix the dry and wet ingredients?

Add the flour mixture gradually and mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can make the cookies tough and dense, so stop as soon as you see no more dry flour streaks.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture. Margarine might change the cookie’s consistency and taste, so stick with real butter for the most delicious results.

Sugar Star Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful Sugar Star Cookies sparkle with festive charm, promising a sweet journey through holiday memories. Christmas baking reaches new heights when these delicate, buttery treats melt in your mouth, inviting pure joy and celebration.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Icing Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 12 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a pristine mixing vessel, creating a uniform dry mixture that ensures smooth cookie texture.
2. Cream together butter and sugar in a spacious bowl, whipping vigorously until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency with soft peaks.
3. Incorporate the egg, blending seamlessly along with vanilla and almond extracts, which will infuse delicate aromatic undertones into the developing dough.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using deliberate sweeping motions to prevent overmixing and maintain the delicate cookie structure.
5. Once the ingredients merge into a cohesive dough, stop mixing immediately to preserve the cookies’ tender crumb and prevent potential toughness.
6. If the dough feels too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow ingredients to settle and make rolling and cutting more manageable.
7. When ready to bake, transfer the chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface, rolling out to an even thickness for consistent, beautifully shaped sugar star cookies.

Notes

• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, clean star shapes.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better incorporation with sugar, creating a lighter texture.
• Dust work surface and rolling pin with powdered sugar instead of flour to keep cookie edges pristine and prevent toughening.
• For dietary variations, swap regular butter with vegan margarine and use egg substitute like ground flaxseed for gluten-free or vegan options.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 48 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg