Description
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
Scale
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- 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
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add Egg & Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Divide dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Prepare Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 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.
- 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.
- Make Icing: Whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Stir in food coloring if desired.
- Decorate: Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle, spread, or pipe icing. Allow to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chilling is Key: Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and keeps the cookie shapes sharp.
- Thickness Matters: Rolling dough to ¼ inch ensures the perfect balance between crisp edges and a soft bite.
- Icing Options: Add more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for thicker frosting. Royal icing can also be used if you want cookies that harden fully for stacking.
- Storage Tip: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 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
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: sugar cookies, iced cookies, holiday cookies, cut-out cookies, Christmas cookies