Ingredients
Method
- Combine softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl, beat until creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract, beat until completely combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet until smooth and completely combined.
- Transfer half of the dough onto plastic wrap, mold into a flat disk, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C), roll out chilled dough, cut shapes, and transfer to a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Allow cookies to cool on the sheet before decorating.
Sugar Cookie Frosting:
- Combine powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a bowl, stir until combined.
- Adjust consistency with more milk if needed.
- Color the frosting if desired.
- Pipe frosting on cookies and decorate with candies or sprinkles.
- Allow frosting to harden before enjoying.
Notes
Embarking on your culinary journey during the festive season is a delightful way to create lasting memories. The enchanting aroma of Christmas Sugar Cookies is bound to fill your kitchen with warmth and joy. If you're a new cook or baker eager to dive into the world of holiday treats, fear not! We've got some helpful notes to guide you through the process of creating these scrumptious and foolproof Christmas Sugar Cookies.
Notes for New Cooks or Bakers:
- Take Your Time: Baking is an art, and patience is your secret ingredient. Take your time to measure ingredients accurately, follow each step, and savor the process. Baking can be therapeutic, especially during the festive season.
- Precision Matters: Sam Merritt's recipe is designed for success, so pay attention to measurements and follow the instructions closely. Precision in baking ensures consistent and delicious results.
- Chill, Don't Stress: The chilling time for the cookie dough is essential. It not only enhances the flavor but also makes the dough easier to work with. Embrace the chill time—it's your ally in achieving perfectly shaped cookies.
- Rolling Techniques: Dust your work surface generously with flour when rolling out the cookie dough. If the dough cracks, let it rest for a bit at room temperature before trying again. This simple trick ensures smooth, picture-perfect cookies.
- Baking Magic: Keep an eye on your cookies while they bake. The edges should just begin to turn lightly golden brown. Remember, smaller cookies may need less time, and larger ones may need more.
- Frosting Finesse: The sugar cookie frosting is your canvas. If it's too thick, add milk gradually until it's pipeable. If you accidentally add too much milk, balance it out with additional powdered sugar. Experiment with colors and let your creativity shine.
- Flavorful Twists: Feel free to explore different extracts. Whether it's almond, lemon, or any other flavor you fancy, the options are endless. Make the recipe your own and surprise your taste buds.
- Experiment with extracts like almond or lemon for different flavors.
- For the glossiest finish, use light corn syrup in the frosting.
- Make frosting in advance and store airtight with plastic wrap pressed against the surface.
- Store cookies airtight at room temperature for up to ten days or freeze for several months.
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximate, varies by cutter size)
- Calories: 130
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
- Sodium: 48mg
- Potassium: 21mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- Vitamin A: 151IU
- Calcium: 8mg
- Iron: 1mg