Classic Sugar Cookies are our last bake of the year! Posting date is December 29.
Classic Sugar Cookies
Author:
Serves: 15—18 2½ inch cookies
Ingredients
- For the classic sugar cookies
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cups (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- For the basic royal icing
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Make the classic sugar cookies
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, shortening, and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until just combined. Add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Dust a work surface with a sprinkling of flour. Unwrap the chilled dough, and put it directly on the work surface. Roll the dough ¼ inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut shapes in the dough, and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, until they are set but not browned. Remove from the oven and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.
Make the basic royal icing
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice until the mixture is completely smooth. The mixture should have the texture of a glaze. If the mixture is too thin, add a bit more sugar. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of lemon juice. You can add a few drops of food coloring if desired, or you can divide the icing among many mixing bowls if you need more than one color.
- The best way to ice sugar cookies is with a pastry bag fitted with a small or medium tip. First, outline the cookie or design, then fill it in. Let the icing harden before serving.
- The cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days.