Description
Delight in these classic Frosted Cutout Sugar Cookies, perfect for any festive occasion or a sweet treat. These buttery, tender cookies are baked to golden perfection, then topped with a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting that can be customized with food coloring for vibrant decoration.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
For the Frosting
- 3 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) to prepare it for baking the cookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large bowl, beat the softened butter and white sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed mixture until well combined, adding flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dough: Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a consistent cookie dough without overmixing.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space between each for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Gently press each dough ball flat with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar to prevent sticking and add a decorative texture.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color, indicating doneness.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on wire racks to prevent sogginess and maintain texture.
- Make Frosting: Mix the confectioners’ sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth; add food coloring if desired to personalize the frosting.
- Frost and Decorate: Once cookies are completely cooled, spread the frosting on top and decorate as desired for a festive look.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Adjust the milk quantity in frosting for desired consistency; add more sugar if too thin.
- Use almond extract sparingly for subtle flavor; it is optional and can be omitted.
- Experiment with food coloring to customize frosting for holidays or themes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
