If you are in the mood for some cookie decorating, I love this recipe just for that! They are the perfect sugar cookie for festive fun because they cut beautifully with any cutter and they keep their shape. They are also so soft and chewy. So next time you have some baking to do for a cookie exchange or a festive party, definitely use this easy recipe for your sugar cookies.

Icing can stay in an airtight container out on the counter for 2-3 days. If you aren’t using cookies right away, you can freeze them, then thaw for about 15 before you want to use or eat. To freeze, pack on parchment paper then seal in freezer safe Ziplock bags or freezer safe tupperware. 

Ingredients:

Cookies:

• 2 sticks of butter, room temperature

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)

• 1 egg

• 3 cups flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tsp of baking powder

Icing:

•  1 stick of butter, room temperature

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)

• 1 ½ tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together: flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. 

3. In a large mixing bowl, add butter and sugar. Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to beat for 3 minutes. Make sure the butter is soft at room temperature so the mixture can get creamy.

4. Use a spatula to stir everything until combined to the center of the bowl, then add vanilla and egg. Mix until combined.

5. Slowly start to mix in the dry mixture little by little until the dough forms. It should end up feeling like Playdoh. If it feels too sticky, add a little more flour. Set aside.

6. Prepare your work surface. Dust flour over your cleaned space. Coat your hands in flour or water before working with the dough. Transfer a big piece of your dough to the work surface then use a rolling pin to roll out dough, about ¼ inch thick, or until desired thickness. These cookies will not rise so the thickness you roll out to will be how they end up.

7. Dust flour on a cookie cutter and cut out the shape of your choice. Carefully transfer the cut out cookies onto the lined baking sheet.

8. Keep using up the dough to cut shapes until all the dough is used up. 

9. Once baking sheet is full, place in oven and bake for 6-8  minutes. The center of the cookie will look puffy and matte (no gloss) once they are done. If they have turned brown, they cooked too long.

10. Let cool before spreading icing on each cookie. 

11. For the icing- whisk all icing ingredients together with electric mixer or stand mixer. Whisk until well combined and fluffy. You can add more powdered sugar or milk to reach your desired thickness. If you want the icing to be another color, add food coloring dye at the end, then mix.

12. Ice cookies then decorate with sprinkles or desired designs.

We’d love to see your finished product! Post your picture on Instagram, tag us @danimade.kitchen and hashtag it #danimade