Sugar Cookies Recipe

• servings: 16 servings
• total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2½ cups (318 grams) all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon table salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (at cool room temperature)

• 1¼ cups granulated sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

💗For rolling:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Directions

1. Dry ingredients: In a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. Cream butter and sugar: Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. (May use hand mixer.)

3. Combine: Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla and almond extract and beat until just combined. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients, don’t overmix.

4. Chill: Cover the dough with plastic wrap pressed to its surface and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, up to 72 hours. If refrigerated longer than 60 minutes, let the dough sit at room temperature just until it is soft enough to scoop. Meanwhile:

5. Prep: Preheat oven to 176C. Line half baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper.

6. Make dough balls: Using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop, roll the dough into balls. Roll the dough in a small bowl filled with the 1/3 cup granulated sugar to coat all sides.

7. Bake: Transfer 6 cookie dough balls to prepared baking sheets, evenly spaced apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are barely set. Do not over bake. TIP! If the cookies aren't as uniform as you'd like, as soon as they come out of the oven, invert a glass over one cookie at a time, and move the glass in a circular motion on the pan around the hot cookie for a few seconds. It will transform into the perfect circle before your eyes!

8. Cool: Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost only when completely cooled.

💗Frosting:

1. Beat ingredients together: With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (recommended), beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. With the mixer on low, add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low to combine, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 additional minutes, adding additional cream if needed. Beat in food coloring, if using.

2. Adjust as needed: Add more powdered sugar if the frosting is too thin or more cream if frosting is too thick. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet.

3. Decorate: Frost and decorate cookies as desired!