Easy Decorated Sugar Cookies
Easy decorated sugar cookies are a MUST for the holidays around our house. What are your favorite cookies to make during the Christmas season? I don’t know about you, but I struggle to find a great, easy to shape, cookie dough for those fun Christmas cookies! And then the icing….that is a whole different aspect, isn’t it?
Every time I attempt to make cut out cookies, I get nervous. I think they looked pretty, but that it will be too much work. I am wrong…every.single.time! This time around, I whipped up a glaze type of icing, that not only tasted good, but also made it so easy to decorate! Theses cookies turn out to be so soft, delicious, and my kids have a great time adding their personal creations to them! I am excited to share some tips with you to create easy, iced, perfect sugar cookies!
Iced Sugar Cookies aren’t just for Christmas. My grandma makes them for every holiday…Easter, Valentine’s Day, birthdays….you name it, she has a cookie cutter for it! I was often intimidated to make these, because hers were so perfect. But now, I find myself cutting out sugar cookies every Christmas! My daughter LOVES to be creative with the icing, and I am now obsessed with having as many varieties of sprinkles as possible!
How to Make Iced Sugar Cookies
You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry! Gather your butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla, baking powder, milk, and salt together so it’s all in one place. Be sure to set your butter out to soften about 2 hours before you are ready to bake.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment will assure your dough will mix evenly and smoothly.
This step is key. You need CHILLED dough so it will cut easily and not lose its shape when you bake it. I like to remove the dough from the mixing bowl and mold it into a nice ball, and then flatten it slightly. Then, wrap it in saran wrap and I place it in the refrigerator to cool for about 2 hours.
You only need to bake your cookies for about 2 hours. But then, let them cool completely before trying to ice and decorate them.
You will likely get 3-5 dozen cookies from this recipe. The number you can bake depends on the size of your cookie cutters.
Tips for Beautiful Sugar Cookies
Make sure the dough is chilled before you try to roll and cut it. This is so important….and sometimes, I have to put it back in the refrigerator to chill a little more as we are baking.
Use REAL butter. Try not to use a substitute or anything like that. Real butter works best!
You can freeze your cookies, or the dough.
Use a royal icing for a very smooth look. Buttercream icing will give you a fuller, creamier topping on the cookies.
Easy Iced Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2/3 c softened butter
- 3/4 c granulated sugar
- 1 t baking powder
- 1/4 t salt
- 1 egg
- 1 T milk
- 1 t vanilla
- 2 c all purpose flour
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined. Beat in milk, egg, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour.
2. Next, divide the dough in half. Form into two balls and flatten slightly. Wrap in saran wrap or wax paper and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours to chill.
3. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and roll to 3/8" thick Using a cookie cutter, cut them into various shapes. Then, gently place them on a prepared baking sheet.
4. Finally, bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes or until edges are VERY lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
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