Classic Sugar Cookies

Five chewy cookies with colorful sprinkles on a plate

This easy recipe brings creativity to the kitchen, plus kids of all ages can get involved by decorating their own cookies.

Serves: 24 / Hands-on: 2 hours / Total: 2 hours 10 minutes / Difficulty: Easy

INGREDIENTS:

  • 6 tbsp. butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
  • 1⁄2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1⁄2 salt
  • 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tbsp. milk
  • Food coloring
  • Sprinkles or decorating sugars

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  2. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half.
  3. Roll each dough half between parchment paper to about ¼” thickness. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  5. Remove top piece of parchment and use desired cookie cutters to cut out cookies and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. If dough gets soft, chill about 10 minutes until cold.
  6. Bake, rotating halfway through until edges are golden, about 10-18 minutes. Cool cookies completely.
  7. Sift powdered sugar into a small bowl, then whisk in milk. Divide into bowls, then tint with desired food coloring. Decorate cookies as desired.
  8. Serve.