Frosted Sugar Cookies: A Delightfully Easy Recipe
Are you ready to bake up a batch of irresistible frosted sugar cookies? This recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros, offering a simple yet delicious approach to a classic treat. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these perfectly crisp edges and melt-in-your-mouth centers, topped with a vibrant, sweet frosting.
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Making the Cookies:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or hand mixer works perfectly here.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Roll & Cut: Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
- Bake: Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting:
- Cream Butter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add Milk & Vanilla: Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
- Adjust Consistency: Add more powdered sugar if the frosting is too thin, or more milk if it's too thick.
- Add Color (Optional): If you want colored frosting, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until desired color is achieved.
Frosting the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cool, use a knife, spatula, or piping bag to frost them. Get creative with your designs!
Tips for Success:
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and ensures perfectly shaped cookies.
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cookies will taste.
- Let the cookies cool completely before frosting: This prevents the frosting from melting.
- Get creative with your frosting: Use different colors, sprinkles, or candies to decorate your cookies.
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This recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Enjoy baking and the delicious results. Remember to share your creations – we’d love to see them!
