Description
Delight in these classic Christmas Sugar Cookies, perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft and buttery with a tender crumb, these cookies are beautifully decorated with festive red and green sugar, making them a favorite treat for all ages during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Toppings
- Red decorating sugar, for topping
- Green decorating sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms without overmixing.
- Form Cookie Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
- Flatten and Decorate: Use a fork to gently flatten each dough ball in a criss-cross pattern, then generously sprinkle the tops with red or green decorating sugar for a festive touch.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but not browned, ensuring a tender cookie.
- Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
Notes
- For softer cookies, do not overbake; remove as soon as edges are set.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
- Optional: Add almond extract for a different flavor profile.
- Decorating sugar colors can be customized for various holidays or themes.
- Make sure butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
