Welcome to the heartwarming world of holiday baking, a time when kitchens become the center of joy and the air is rich with the scent of sweet delights. Among these, the classic sugar cookie stands as a beloved symbol of festive cheer. As a pastry chef who has spent countless hours perfecting the art of baking, I’m thrilled to share with you my treasured recipe for these iconic treats. These cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of tradition, a vessel for cherished memories, and a testament to the joy of the holiday season.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon citrus zest for a twist)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preparation: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This recipe should yield about 24-30 cookies, depending on the size of your cutters.
- Creaming Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
- Adding Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract (or your choice of flavoring). Feel free to experiment with almond extract or citrus zest for a unique flavor.
- Combining Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Chilling the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, and wrap in plastic. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This makes the dough easier to handle.
- Rolling and Cutting: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Re-roll the scraps as needed.
- Baking: Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
- Cooling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorating (Optional): Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar as you like.
As these cookies bake, their delightful aroma fills the kitchen, evoking memories of holidays past and creating new ones. Each batch is a reminder of the love and care that goes into holiday baking.
I wish you a holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and the sweetest of moments. May these classic sugar cookies add a sprinkle of joy to your celebrations. Happy baking and happy holidays! 🍪✨🎄