Saturday, November 16, 2013

Bake It: Sugar Cookies



Iced sugar cookies are without a doubt my favorite cookie.  Or is it chocolate chip?  Ok...maybe there is a little doubt, but who can hate on a cookie.  Except oatmeal raisin.  Everyone can hate on those, blecchhhh!

Anyways, the kids' school held an ice cream social and bake sale fundraiser for the family of a 5th grade student diagnosed with Ewings-Sarcoma brain cancer.  I wanted to help out (besides of course, eating the ice cream), so I decided to bake up a batch of sugar cookies.  Perfect for the sale, and perfect for the chance to share them with you before the holidays.

The original recipe can be found here.  I don't know who Ella is, but I do know she is a sugar cookie genius.  I love this recipe for so many reasons.  It is simple, it rolls out like a dream, the dough doesn't puff or spread when baking, it doesn't change color, the texture is perfect, and of course they taste great without being too sweet.

Also, you can flavor these however you want.  I prefer almond, so that is what I am listing, but you can sub in all vanilla or lemon or orange zest or extract in its place.

Sugar Cookies
Makes about 30 average-sized cookies
106 cals / 6g fat / 11g carbs / 1g protein

1 cup butter (2 sticks), at room temp
1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour

1.  Cream butter in a large bowl until lightened and fluffy.  Add powdered sugar and cream until well-mixed and fluffy, 2-5 minutes.  Add the egg, almond, and vanillas extracts and mix until well blended.  Add the flour and salt and beat until fully incorporated and dough is smooth looking, but sticky.

2.  Turn dough out onto wax paper and using floured hands, flatten into an even disk.  Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, and up to 1 week.

3.  Heat oven to 375.  Remove dough from fridge (if dough is too cold/stiff let it sit out for 10-15 minutes and try again) and turn out onto a well-floured surface (use lots to prevent sticking), roll dough out to desired thickness (1/4 - 1/2 inch thick) and cut into desired shapes*.  Bake cookies on a greased cookie sheet 8-10 minutes, cookies should not brown.  Cool and decorate with icing,

*You can keep reforming and rolling and cutting the excess dough until you have used as much as you can.


3 comments:

  1. Wow! Beautiful! Sugar cookies are an American thing so I've never made them, but they look so cute, I have to try. How do you make the icing?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Klaudia! I love making and eating these cookies!

      For the icing, I use royal icing (I follow the Joh of Baking recipe and tutorial). It is easy enough to make, but getting the consistencies just right takes a little practice.

      You can also decorate ith regular buttercream or colored sprinkles and sugars (put the sugar on before baking)

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    2. Ah, okay, thanks! I don't like buttercream, but I'll definitely try the royal icing!

      Hope you are all doing great!! Especially with the changes.... ;-)

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