How to Make the Perfect Decorated Sugar Cookies
American · Easy · 32 min · 24 servings
These soft and buttery decorated sugar cookies are a perfect kid friendly baking project that lets little ones express their creativity. Kids will love rolling out the dough and decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles.
Why this recipe works
This Decorated Sugar Cookies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 32 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 142 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar for icing
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
Beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Slowly stir in the flour and baking powder until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is important to keep the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 3: Cut and Bake
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut fun shapes and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are just lightly golden.
Step 4: Decorate
Let cookies cool completely before decorating. Mix powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to make a simple icing. Let kids go wild with icing and sprinkles to create their own designs.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all-purpose flour → gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour for a gluten-free version
- unsalted butter → vegan butter sticks for a dairy-free version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the chilling step which causes cookies to spread too thin and lose their shape
- Overbaking the cookies past golden edges which makes them hard and crunchy instead of soft
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 142 calories, 2g protein, 19g carbs, 6g fat, 0g fiber.
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