Hello! Let me just say that it’s almost Christmas!!! Like everyone who isn’t a Grinch, I love Christmas! Too be honest I’ve gotten more into the holidays now that I have children than before, it’s just a fun and exciting experience overall. Since my kids are getting bigger I’m trying to find new traditions to do together as a family. Our usual is decorating a gingerbread house and this year my son has been reminding me that we NEED to bake cookies for Santa. I figured this would be a great way to start a new tradition with the kids…cookie decorating!
Let’s be real, I know for sure I …I mean Santa…want to eat sugar cookies this year! So why not?! Sugar cookies are amazing! They are sweet but not overpowering, it’s not like most cut-out sugar cookie recipes that are very crisp and thin, in fact it’s pretty soft compared to most. I rolled out thick and thin cookies when I made them just to see the differences and I definitely recommend rolling the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. I also measured to make only 1 1/2 dozen cookies since we only needed a couple to decorate, but feel free to double the recipe if you need more!
I really wanted to post this earlier this weekend but I’ve been feeling a little under the weather and my daughter’s birthday was this weekend as well, so it became difficult to put it together, better late than never right? But if anyone is looking for an easy sugar cookie recipe with ingredients that are most likely in your kitchen already, this is it! I’m sure Santa will enjoy them!
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Yields: 1.5 dozen (18 cookies) Prep Time: 2 hrs 10 min Bake Time: 14 min
- 6 Tbsp (1/4 c. + 2Tbsp) Butter or Margarine (Softened)
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar.
*Don’t forget to scrape down as you go!
When the butter and sugar is creamy and fluffy add the egg and vanilla extract.
After the mixture is nicely combined add your sifted dry ingredients, flour, baking powder and salt.
*I highly recommend you sift the dry ingredients! It will make a smooth, lump free dough!
The dough should be soft and fluffy. It will be a little sticky but that’s okay!
Place your dough on plastic wrap and fold tightly.
I molded my dough out into a disk to make it easier when rolling out.
Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to chill and set.
You can also cut the time and place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes if you really need to!
Generously flour your rolling surface and dough with flour! Trust me it will need that extra flour at the bottom to avoid your cut-outs from sticking to the surface.
Roll the dough to about 1/2 inch thick.
Or your desired thickness.
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
Place cut-outs on parchment lined or lightly greased sheet pans.
Bake for 14 minutes or until lightly golden.
Once they are out of the oven, let them cool completely.
Then decorate them as your heart desires! I used store bought buttercream icing and holiday sprinkles.
Please do not judge my decorating skills! It was late, I was tired and feeling sick, that’s the best I could do for Santa this year! 😛
My Appetizing Life 