🎄 The Ultimate Rolled Sugar Cookies & Perfect Decorating Icing 🎄

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Let’s take a deeper dive into every step of making these incredible cookies and icing. These tips and details will help you create the fluffiest, most flavorful sugar cookies, and achieve perfectly shiny and professional-looking icing!

Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

  • Butter: 1 1/2 cups, softened (preferably unsalted for better flavor control; if using salted, reduce added salt in the recipe).
  • Sugar: 2 cups granulated. This helps the cookies stay sweet and slightly crisp.
  • Eggs: 4 large, at room temperature (helps incorporate evenly into the dough and prevents cracking).
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for a classic flavor (use high-quality vanilla for the best taste).
  • Flour: 5 cups all-purpose (measured properly—spooned into the cup and leveled to avoid dense cookies).
  • Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons to give the cookies a light rise and structure.
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon (only if using unsalted butter).

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar:
    • Use a stand or hand mixer to beat butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is essential for achieving soft cookies.
  2. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
    • Crack eggs into a small bowl first (in case of shells). Add one egg at a time to the creamed butter, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
    • Add vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
  3. Mix in Dry Ingredients:
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed to prevent overworking the dough (which can make cookies tough).
  4. Chill the Dough:
    • Divide the dough into two portions and flatten them into discs. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight. For freezing, wrap tightly and store for up to 3 months.
  5. Preheat Oven and Roll Out Dough:
    • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness.
  6. Cut Shapes:
    • Use cookie cutters for festive shapes. Dip cutters in flour to prevent sticking.
  7. Bake Cookies:
    • Arrange shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between them. Bake for 6-7 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden.
    • Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Perfect Icing Recipe

Ingredients

  • Powdered Sugar: 2 cups, sifted for a smooth texture.
  • Milk: 2-4 tablespoons (adjust as needed for consistency). Whole milk works best, but any type will do.
  • Honey or Light Corn Syrup: 1 tablespoon to add a glossy finish and help the icing set.
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for flavor (clear vanilla if you want vibrant colors).

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Mix the Icing Base:
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, honey (or corn syrup), and vanilla. Stir until smooth and thick.
  2. Adjust Consistency:
    • If the icing is too thick to spread, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until it’s the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. It should be thick like toothpaste.
  3. Divide and Color:
    • Separate icing into smaller bowls for different colors. Add gel food coloring (a little goes a long way) and mix thoroughly.
  4. Decorating Tips:
    • Use a spoon, knife, or piping bag to apply the icing. Spread evenly and let it settle for a smooth finish.
    • Add sprinkles immediately after icing, as it sets quickly.
  5. Allow to Dry:
    • Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours for the icing to fully harden.

Pro Tips for Success

  1. Dough Handling:
    • Keep dough cold and work in small batches. If it warms up, pop it back into the fridge for 15 minutes.
  2. Rolling Evenly:
    • Use rolling pin guides or stack rulers on either side of the dough to ensure uniform thickness.
  3. Baking:
    • Avoid overbaking. Remove cookies when they are just set but not browned on top for soft, tender results.
  4. Icing Storage:
    • Store leftover icing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Stir well before reuse.
  5. Storage for Cookies:
    • Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Decorated cookies can be stored for a week in a single layer.

🎨 Decorating Ideas:

  • Use piping bags for intricate designs.
  • Layer colors for fun effects (let the base color dry first).
  • Dust with edible glitter or use candy decorations for extra flair.

Enjoy making memories while creating these beautiful cookies. They’ll be the highlight of your holiday season! 🎄✨

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