Serves 24
140 min
Easy Sugar Cookies and Butter Cream Frosting
Recipe GLPR11cefd265acc11
Delightful butter-based sugar cookies with a smooth, creamy frosting. These classic treats feature a tender crumb and are perfect for decorating with vibrant colors. The dough requires refrigeration to develop flavor and make handling easier before baking to a pale, golden perfection.
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Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
4 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons milk, as needed
Food coloring (optional)
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and orange zest if using.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Knead the dough gently until smooth and uniform.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to develop and the dough to firm up for easier handling.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough to desired thickness or use cookie cutters to shape the cookies. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still very pale in color—they should not brown significantly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.
Transfer the cooled cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Prepare the frosting by beating together the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk in a mixing bowl on low speed until smooth and creamy.
If the frosting is too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until you reach the desired consistency for spreading or piping.
If desired, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to create different colors. Decorate the cooled cookies with the frosting as desired.
