Traditional Sugar Cookies: The Greatest Holiday Delight
Nothing compares to the aroma of freshly made sugar cookies filling the house during the holidays. A timeless treat, classic sugar cookies are enjoyed by people of all ages. They are ideal for any occasion—especially holiday cookie exchanges—because they are soft, buttery, and sweet with just the right amount of sweetness!
This sugar cookie recipe is simple to create and adaptable, so you can decorate them however you choose, regardless of your level of baking experience. This holiday season, classic sugar cookies are a must-bake, and we’ll explore why and how to make them at home.
What Makes Sugar Cookies Unique?
There are several reasons why sugar cookies are a popular Christmas treat:
Sure! Here’s the Classic Sugar Cookies Recipe in a table format:
| Recipe | Classic Sugar Cookies |
|---|---|
| Yield | 24-30 cookies |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Chill Time | 30 minutes |
| Bake Time | 8-10 minutes |
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 3/4 cups |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Baking powder | 1/2 tsp |
| Unsalted butter (room temp) | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 1/2 cups (plus extra for rolling) |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Almond extract (optional) | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp |
Instructions:
| Step | Directions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. |
| 2 | Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. |
| 3 | Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). |
| 4 | Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (optional) until well combined. |
| 5 | Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until combined. |
| 6 | Chill dough: Wrap dough in plastic wrap or cover with a lid. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. |
| 7 | Shape cookies: Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar if desired. Place balls on baking sheet, 2 inches apart. |
| 8 | Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. |
Optional Decorations:
- Roll in colored sugar or sprinkles before baking for extra festive flair.
Enjoy your homemade, classic sugar cookies! Perfect for any holiday or cookie exchange. 🍪
1. Easiness
Classic sugar cookie recipes just require basic ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, unlike more complex cookie recipes. They are ideal for novice bakers or anyone searching for a quick, delectable treat because they don’t call for any fancy ingredients or intricate methods.
2. Adaptability
Sugar cookies can be used in a variety of ways. For a more conventional appearance, they can be left unadorned or adorned with icing or sprinkles. They are ideal for any holiday or special occasion since you can use cookie cutters to shape them into festive shapes like snowflakes, stars, or trees.
3. Adaptable
There are numerous ways to personalize your sugar cookies, such as adding flavored extracts like lemon or almond for a unique take on the traditional recipe or decorating them with colored sugar or sprinkles for added flair. They’re also ideal for both adults and children, so they’ll be a success at any cookie exchange or party.
easy christmas jam recipe
The holidays are the ideal time of year for warm customs, delectable treats, and considerate presents. Homemade Christmas jam is a great option whether you’re searching for a straightforward yet endearing gift idea or a festive touch to your holiday table. It has all the characteristics that make the holidays so unique and is sweet and delicious. It’s also really simple to create!
4. Immaculate for Décor
The perfect foundation for a variety of entertaining decorations are sugar cookies. These cookies work nicely with any kind of decorating, whether you’re a master of royal icing or prefer the straightforwardness of sprinkles. When packaged in adorable boxes or bags with a handwritten note, they can make wonderful presents.
Traditional Sugar Cookie Recipe: Simple and Tasty
Components:
Two and a half cups of all-purpose flour
One teaspoon of baking soda
Half a teaspoon of baking powder
One cup of room-temperature unsalted butter
An additional 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar for rolling
One huge egg
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
Half a teaspoon of optional almond essence
1/4 teaspoon of salt
Directions:
1. Get your baking sheets and oven ready.
Set the oven temperature to 175°C (350°F). To keep the cookies from sticking, line two baking pans with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
2. Combine Dry Components
Mix the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour in a medium-sized bowl. Put aside. In order to help the cookies rise and bake uniformly, this step makes sure that the leavening chemicals are dispersed evenly throughout the flour.
3. Bread and sugar should be whipped
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer set on medium speed, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large basin until light and fluffy. This ought to take two to three minutes. Because it helps integrate air into the dough, the creaming procedure is crucial to producing soft and supple cookies.
4. Incorporate Wet Substances
Add the egg, almond extract (if using), and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and thoroughly blended. While the extracts give the cookies their distinctively sweet scent, the egg gives the dough structure.
5. Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
In stages, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Reduce the speed of the mixer until all the ingredients are incorporated. Avoid overmixing the dough as this could result in tough cookies.
Chill the Dough
This stage is really important! Once the dough has been mixed, either place it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of half an hour. Chilling enables the flavors to develop and helps keep the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Create the Cookies
After the dough cools, take it out of the refrigerator and roll it into 1-inch balls. Before putting the cookies on the prepared baking pans, roll each ball in granulated sugar to give it the recognizable sparkling sugar coating. Because they may spread somewhat while baking, place the balls approximately 2 inches apart.
You can use your hands or the bottom of a glass to flatten each ball of dough if you want to get creative. Create whimsical shapes like stars, hearts, or holiday-themed patterns with cookie cutters for a more conventional style.
Make the Cookies
In an oven that has been prepared, bake the sugar cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn brown. Watch them carefully because if you overbake them, they will become crisp instead of soft. When you remove them from the oven, the centers might still appear a little soft, but they will solidify as they cool.
9. Decorate and Cool Down
After letting the cookies set on the baking pans for roughly five minutes, move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. You can use icing, sprinkles, or any other kind of decorating once they’ve cooled.
How to Make the Best Sugar Cookies:
Butter at Room Temperature: Before combining the butter and sugar, make sure the butter is at room temperature. You’ll get dense cookies since cold butter won’t cream properly.
Chill the Dough: Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly! In addition to being easier to work with, chilled dough helps keep the cookies from spreading too thin when baking.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: Measure out the dough with a cookie scoop to ensure uniformly sized cookies. By doing this, you can make sure that every cookie bakes uniformly and is the same size.
Decorate After Cooling: Before decorating, always let the cookies cool fully. Warm cookies will melt the icing and slide off if you attempt to decorate them.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the sugar cookie dough in advance and freeze it for up to three months or store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Before rolling and baking, just let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Adorning Your Sugar Cookies
The versatility of sugar cookies is what makes them so lovely. Here are some creative cookie decorating ideas:
1. Traditional Icing
A straightforward royal icing, consisting of water, egg whites, and powdered sugar, will solidify into a glossy, smooth coating. You can pipe elaborate designs, patterns, or even names on the cookies by using food coloring to paint the icing different colors.
2. Colored sugar and sprinkles
Before baking, sprinkle the cookie dough balls with colorful sprinkles or roll them in colored sugar for a simple yet festive look. After the cookies are baked, you can add more shine by dusting them with powdered sugar.
3. Decorations with Candy
To give your cookies a pop of color and texture, add tiny candies, such as M&Ms, chocolate chips, or even little marshmallows. When you bite into the cookie, they also add a delightful surprise.
4. Fondant
Make elaborate designs with fondant to elevate your sugar cookies to a new level. Place the fondant on top of the cookies after rolling it out and cutting it into shapes. You may also add small touches with edible markers!
Almond or Lemon Glaze
Combine powdered sugar, almond extract or lemon juice, and a small amount of milk to make a basic glaze. For a tangy twist, drizzle over the chilled biscuits.
The Ideal Complement to Your Holiday Cookie Trade
One of the greatest sweets to offer to a holiday cookie exchange are sugar cookies. Their simplicity and sweetness appeal to almost everyone, and they’re simple to create in big quantities. Additionally, these cookies are quite adaptable; you can decorate them as you choose, whether you prefer them plain, frosted, or covered in candies and sprinkles.
These cookies make a beautiful gift whether presented in a festive bag or a pretty container. They are the ideal holiday snack when served with a glass of milk or a mug of hot chocolate.
Wrap-up
Any Christmas baking ritual must include classic sugar cookies. These cookies will make everyone who tries them happy, whether you’re decorating them with your children, sharing them with friends, or just enjoying them with a cup of tea. A batch of mouthwatering, gorgeous sugar cookies that will be the talk of any Christmas get-together can be made with just a few basic ingredients and a little imagination.
What’re you waiting for, then? Get your ingredients together, put on your baking hat, and begin making these traditional sugar cookies right now! merry baking and merry holidays!
