Description
This easy sugar cookie recipe yields perfect cut-out cookies with crisp edges, a soft interior, and a buttery vanilla flavor. The included icing is simple, glossy, and sets beautifully without becoming too hard.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (or almond/lemon extract)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tbsp milk (whole or any type)
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or candies for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough to ⅛” for crispier cookies or ¼” for softer cookies. Cut out desired shapes.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden.
- Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and thick but pipeable. Adjust consistency as needed.
- Divide icing into bowls, color as desired, and decorate cookies. Allow icing to set for a few hours before stacking or storing.
Notes
- Dough can be flavored with almond or lemon extract for variation.
- Icing can be made ahead and stored with plastic wrap touching the surface.
- Freeze cookies in layers with wax paper for up to 2 months.
- Sprinkle colored sugar before baking for a quick decorating shortcut.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
