Grandma’s sugar Cookies✨
♥️❄️No gatekeeping here! Sharing my grandma's sugar cookie recipe because these cookies are too good not to share. They're light, fluffy, and unbelievably soft.
Ingredients:
* 3 sticks of salted butter, softened
* 2 cups of white sugar
* 4 eggs
* 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
* 5 cups of King Arthur's unbleached all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons of baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until light and fluffy.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the King Arthur's unbleached all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Remove the sugar cookie dough from the bowl and place it on plastic wrap. Shape the dough into either a round or square shape to make it easier for rolling later.
5. Wrap the dough tightly in the plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or preferably overnight, to chill.
6. Once the dough is chilled, remove it from the fridge. Lightly flour a clean surface.
7. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
8. Roll out the dough to your desired thickness.
9. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
10. Place the cut-out cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
11. Optional: Place the baking sheet with the cut-out cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Theis step can just help the shapes stay more crisp.
12. Bake the cookies at 400 degrees for six to eight minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom.
makes about two dozen cookies, depending on how big your shapes are.
Buttercream recipe:
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3 cups powdered sugar
* 1-2 tablespoons milk
* 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until combined.
3. Add the milk, vanilla extract, and salt.
4. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2-3 minutes until the buttercream is light and fluffy.
5. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or more milk for a thinner frosting.
This icing is perfectly pipeable and forms a nice crust on the cookies. I love to use it in a piping bag to decorate my cookies.
Sugar cookies are a beloved treat that bring out the nostalgic flavors of homemade baking, and this grandma’s sugar cookie recipe truly honors that tradition. The use of King Arthur's unbleached all-purpose flour sets these cookies apart by ensuring a tender, soft crumb and even baking. One important tip to achieve the perfect texture is the chilling of the dough, which allows the gluten to relax and helps the cookies keep their shape when baked at a high temperature of 400°F. When preparing the sugar cookie dough, creaming the softened butter with sugar and eggs creates a light, fluffy base that contributes to the softness of the final cookie. The balance of baking powder and salt helps the cookies rise subtly without losing their delicate texture. Avoiding overmixing once the dry ingredients are added is crucial to prevent toughness. Rolling out the dough on a lightly floured surface and chilling the cut shapes before baking ensures the cookies maintain crisp, defined edges that are ideal for decorating. The high baking temperature of 400°F allows the cookies to become lightly browned on the bottoms within a short baking time of six to eight minutes, preserving softness inside while adding a subtle crunch outside. For decorating, the accompanying buttercream frosting recipe complements the cookies perfectly. Made from softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, this frosting is whipped to a light and fluffy consistency that’s easy to pipe. Adjusting milk or sugar allows you to customize its thickness to suit piping or spreading. The buttercream forms a slight crust after decorating, which keeps your designs intact while offering a rich, creamy finish. This versatile cookie and frosting recipe is perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or simply a joyful baking project. You can experiment with different cookie cutter shapes, add sprinkles or edible glitter on the frosting, and create personalized sweet gifts. Homemade sugar cookies like these create wonderful memories and bring the warmth of grandma’s kitchen into your home.
