Classic Iced Sugar Cookies with Crisp Edges & Sweet Vanilla Icing

These Classic Iced Sugar Cookies with Crisp Edges are a timeless treat perfectly sweet, buttery, and lightly flavored with vanilla and almond extract. They bake up with crisp edges and soft centers, making them ideal for decorating with smooth icing. Whether you’re preparing them for holidays, birthdays, or simply a cozy baking day, these cookies are a delicious canvas for creativity.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
• 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
3. Add Egg & Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
5. Chill Dough: Divide dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
6. Prepare Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll & Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to ¼ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place on prepared sheets.
8. Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Make Icing: Whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Stir in food coloring if desired.
10. Decorate: Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle, spread, or pipe icing. Allow to set before serving or storing.

Variation:

• Flavored Extracts: Swap the almond extract for lemon, orange, or coconut extract to add a fresh twist. Citrus extracts give the cookies a bright, refreshing flavor, while coconut adds a tropical note. You can even do half-and-half for a unique layered taste.
• Festive Add-Ins: For holidays, fold in a handful of sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or mini chocolate chips into the dough before chilling. This adds pops of color and texture without changing the baking process.
• Glaze Upgrades: Instead of a simple powdered sugar icing, try royal icing for a smooth finish that hardens perfectly for stacking or packaging. Alternatively, use a cream cheese glaze for a richer, tangy topping that pairs beautifully with the buttery cookies.

Cooking Notes:

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and egg are at room temperature before mixing. This ensures the butter creams properly with sugar, giving you light and fluffy cookies.
2. Chilling Time: Don’t skip the chill! At least 1 hour is necessary, but overnight is even better. A well-chilled dough means sharp cookie shapes and less spreading in the oven.
3. Even Thickness: Roll the dough evenly to about ¼ inch. If some areas are thinner, they may brown too quickly and lose the tender texture. A rolling pin with thickness guides is a great tool for consistency.

Serving Suggestions:

• Holiday Trays: Decorate cookies in festive colors and serve them on holiday dessert platters. Their crisp edges and bright icing make them standout stars at parties.
• Gift-Worthy Treats: Pack iced cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or stack them in a decorative tin. They make a thoughtful homemade gift that feels personal and special.
• Pair with Drinks: These cookies are wonderful alongside a hot cup of cocoa, a mug of mulled cider, or even a glass of cold milk. The sweetness balances warm beverages beautifully, especially during cozy gatherings.

Tips:

• Work in Batches: Only roll out one dough disk at a time, keeping the other chilled. This helps maintain dough firmness and keeps cookie shapes sharp.
• Use Parchment or Silpat: Baking on parchment paper or silicone mats prevents sticking and ensures the bottoms bake evenly without over-browning.
• Decorating Trick: For cleaner designs, outline the cookie shapes with a thicker icing first, then fill the inside with thinner icing (a technique known as “flooding”). This gives professional-looking results even for beginners.
• Storage Smart: If stacking decorated cookies, place sheets of wax or parchment paper between layers to prevent smudging and sticking.

Prep Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie):

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Sugar: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why did my sugar cookies spread too much?
  This usually happens if the dough wasn’t chilled long enough or if the butter was too soft when mixing. Make sure the dough is well chilled before rolling and baking, and avoid greasing your baking sheet—use parchment paper instead.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time?
  Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze the dough disks for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge before rolling out.
• How long does the icing take to set?
  Simple powdered sugar icing will set in about 1–2 hours at room temperature. If you need cookies to stack without smudging, give them at least 4–6 hours, or use royal icing for a quicker, firmer set.
• Can I freeze decorated cookies?
  Yes, but it’s best to freeze undecorated cookies to keep the icing pristine. Bake, cool, and freeze the plain cookies in an airtight container, then thaw and decorate when ready.

Conclusion

These Classic Iced Sugar Cookies with Crisp Edges are the perfect balance of buttery sweetness and artistic fun. Their sturdy yet tender texture makes them ideal for cutting into festive shapes, and the simple icing turns them into little edible canvases. Whether you’re baking for holidays, parties, or a cozy afternoon, these cookies bring both tradition and creativity to the table.

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