Wedding Cake Cookies Recipe: A Delicious Treat for Your Special Day (or Any Day!)
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but the treats shouldn't be! These wedding cake cookies offer a delightful alternative to a traditional wedding cake, or a perfect addition to your dessert table. They capture all the elegance and flavor of a classic wedding cake in a bite-sized, shareable package. This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and the results are guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 24-30 cookies, depending on size. Adjust accordingly if you need more (or less!).
- For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ 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 Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional, for a beautiful wedding-themed color)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Making the Perfect Wedding Cake Cookies
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Cream Together Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but can be achieved with a hand mixer or even vigorous whisking. The key is to incorporate plenty of air for a light and tender cookie.
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Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
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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.
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Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Shape and Bake the Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Gently flatten each ball with a fork, creating a slightly criss-cross pattern.
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Bake Until Golden: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
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Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Creating the Elegant Buttercream Frosting
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Beat the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
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Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
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Add Milk and Vanilla: Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
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Add Food Coloring (Optional): If using, add gel food coloring and mix until you achieve your desired shade.
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Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the buttercream frosting. You can use a piping bag for a more elegant look, or simply spread the frosting with a knife.
Tips for Success:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cookies will taste.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading.
- Let the cookies cool completely before frosting: This will prevent the frosting from melting.
- Get creative with decorations: Add sprinkles, edible flowers, or other decorations to make your cookies even more special.
These wedding cake cookies are perfect for any celebration, big or small. Enjoy baking and savor the delicious results! Remember to share your creations with us! Use #WeddingCakeCookies to show off your baking skills.