When you think about decorated sugar cookies, you might picture vibrant colors and complex designs that can raise any gathering. You'll find that classic vanilla sugar cookies serve as the perfect base for icing and sprinkles, while funfetti celebration cookies bring a dash of joy to your events. If you're in the mood for something zesty, citrus zest cookies offer a revitalizing twist. But what about royal icing? It transforms cookies into personalized masterpieces. Investigate these five recipes to discover how each can improve your baking repertoire in unexpected ways.
Classic Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Classic Vanilla Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that combine a soft, buttery texture with a subtle hint of vanilla flavor. These cookies are perfect for decorating with icing or sprinkles, making them a favorite for holidays and special occasions.
With their simple ingredients and easy preparation, you can whip up a batch in no time, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced bakers alike.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Additional flour for rolling
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about ¼ inch thick.
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Extra Tips:
For perfectly shaped cookies, make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out; this helps maintain their shape during baking.
If you find the dough too sticky, add a little more flour while rolling it out.
To add extra flavor, consider experimenting with different extracts, such as lemon or orange.
Finally, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, making them ideal for preparing in advance for parties or gatherings.
Funfetti Celebration Cookies
Funfetti Celebration Cookies are the perfect treat for any festive occasion, combining the delightful flavors of vanilla and almond with colorful sprinkles that bring a sense of joy to every bite.
These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet surprises, making them an excellent choice for birthday parties, holidays, or simply to brighten up a rainy day.
With their cheerful appearance and delicious taste, these Funfetti cookies will surely become a favorite among family and friends.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup rainbow sprinkles
- Extra sprinkles for topping
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Top each cookie with a few extra sprinkles for decoration.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Extra Tips:
For the best results, make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with the sugars.
If you prefer a chewier cookie, slightly underbake them, as they'll continue to firm up while cooling.
You can also customize the sprinkles to match your theme or occasion, using themed colors for holidays or parties.
For added flavor, consider mixing in some white chocolate chips or nuts to complement the sprinkles.
Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
Royal Icing Decorated Cookies
Royal icing decorated cookies are a delightful treat that not only taste great but also serve as a canvas for your creativity. These cookies are ideal for any occasion, allowing you to customize their designs with vibrant colors and elaborate patterns using royal icing.
The process involves baking a classic sugar cookie base, which is then adorned with the smooth and glossy royal icing that hardens beautifully, making your designs pop. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just want to brighten someone's day, these decorated cookies are sure to impress.
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5-7 tablespoons warm water
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and use cookie cutters to shape your cookies. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating. For the royal icing, beat together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and warm water until smooth and glossy. You can add food coloring to create your desired shades.
Pipe or spread the royal icing onto the cooled cookies, and let them dry completely before serving or storing.
Extra Tips:
When working with royal icing, it's essential to achieve the right consistency; for outlining, the icing should be thick enough to hold its shape, while for flooding, it should be thinner to spread easily.
Always let your cookies cool completely before decorating; any residual heat can cause the icing to melt. If you're new to decorating, start with simple designs and practice piping techniques on parchment paper before applying them to the cookies.
Finally, consider using different piping tips to create various effects, and be sure to store your decorated cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Holiday-Themed Sugar Cookies
Holiday-themed sugar cookies are a delightful treat that brings joy to any festive gathering. Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these cookies can be decorated with colorful icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter to match the holiday spirit.
Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Halloween, or any other special occasion, these sugar cookies are easy to make and even easier to customize, making them a favorite for both bakers and cookie lovers alike.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Royal icing or colored frosting for decoration
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thick, then cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.
Extra Tips:
For the best results, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin.
Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking, so don't skip this step!
When decorating, use a piping bag for more elaborate designs, and allow each layer of icing to dry before adding additional colors or details.
Feel free to get creative with your decorations—different holidays call for different themes, so let your imagination run wild!
Citrus Zest Sugar Cookies
Citrus Zest Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie, infusing your treats with bright and invigorating flavors. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a gathering or just indulging in a sweet treat at home.
The combination of zesty lemon and orange adds a burst of flavor that will have your taste buds dancing. With a soft and chewy texture and a light glaze, these cookies are sure to impress family and friends alike!
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glazing)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (for glazing)
- 1 tablespoon orange juice (for glazing)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and orange zest until well combined. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and let it set before serving.
Extra Tips:
For an even more intense citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of lemon or orange extract to the dough.
Be careful not to overbake the cookies, as they should remain soft and chewy in the center. If you prefer a colorful presentation, consider adding a sprinkle of colored sugar or edible glitter on top of the glaze before it sets.
You can also experiment with different citrus fruits like lime or grapefruit for unique flavor variations!