Soft sugar cookies with icing are more than just a delightful treat; they symbolize comfort and joy. With their tender texture and sweet, colorful finish, these cookies have a magical way of brightening up any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or simply to indulge your sweet tooth, this recipe will help you create cookies that are soft, buttery, and utterly scrumptious.
Why We Love This Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe
What makes soft sugar cookies with icing a favorite among many? For starters, they offer an incredible texture that is both soft and cake-like. What’s more, the icing adds a layer of sweetness and decorative charm. These cookies are versatile—perfect for holidays, celebrations, or simply as a snack with your afternoon tea or coffee.
Moreover, the ease of making these cookies makes them accessible to bakers of all skill levels. You can use this foundation to customize flavors or colors, making them a delightful canvas for your creativity. Plus, soft sugar cookies are ideal for decorating with family and friends, especially children, turning baking into a fun bonding opportunity.
Ingredients for Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
To achieve the best results with your soft sugar cookies, it’s essential to have the right ingredients. Gather the following items:
- 4 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1 1/2 Cups butter (at room temperature)
- 1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 Cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1/3 cup butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 7-8 tablespoons milk (plus more as needed)
- Pink food coloring (if desired)
- Rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Having all your ingredients at hand ensures a smooth baking process and saves you from those last-minute trips to the store. The combination of these ingredients results in a soft, tender cookie that is both delicious and visually appealing.
How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
Creating soft sugar cookies with icing isn’t just about following a recipe; it’s about engaging with the process and enjoying each step. Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate through making these cookies:
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Begin by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. This step ensures that your dry ingredients are well combined and that the baking powder is evenly distributed, which is crucial for achieving the perfect cookie texture.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed. You’re aiming for a soft and fluffy consistency, which should take approximately 2 to 3 minutes. This creaming process is where you develop the texture of your cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Introduce the eggs to the mixture, adding them one at a time. Mix well after each addition, ensuring the eggs are fully incorporated before proceeding. Scraping down the sides of the bowl is necessary to incorporate all ingredients properly. Finally, pour in the vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture on low speed. Mix until no flour pockets remain. This step is crucial; overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix just until combined.
- Chill the Dough: Cover your dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps improve the texture of the cookies, making them less likely to spread during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and set the oven racks to the middle positions. Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to avoid sticking.
- Shape the Cookies: For each cookie, scoop about 3 tablespoons of chilled dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten it slightly on the prepared cookie sheets. Make sure to leave adequate space between the cookies, as they will expand slightly while baking.
- Bake: Place one sheet in the oven and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until just set. The cookies should not turn golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Icing: While your cookies cool, you can prepare the icing. In a mixing bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a smooth consistency. Adjust the thickness of the icing by adding more milk if needed. If you want to add a pop of color, incorporate pink food coloring until you reach your desired hue.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are cool, frost them with the prepared icing. Feel free to get creative with your decorations. Sprinkles can be added right after frosting to achieve that festive look.
- Let It Set: Allow the frosted cookies to sit at room temperature for about 2 hours so the icing can set properly before storing them.
This straightforward approach gives you not only delicious cookies but also a fun experience filled with creativity and joy.
How to Serve Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
Serving your soft sugar cookies with icing can be as delightful as baking them. Here are some ideas to enhance the enjoyment of these treats:
- As Desserts: Present these cookies on a festive plate during gatherings or celebrations. Their inviting appearance will capture everyone’s attention, and they complement coffee or tea beautifully.
- Gift Packages: Wrap the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons. They make excellent gifts for friends and family, especially during special occasions or holidays.
- Party Favors: If you’re hosting a party, place a cookie at each guest’s seat as a sweet surprise. Not only do they taste great, but they also add a colorful and cheerful touch to your table setting.
- Theme-Based Decor: If you’re celebrating a holiday or special event, consider matching the cookie icing colors and sprinkles to your theme. This attention to detail elevates your presentation and makes the cookies even more special.
By getting creative in the way you serve these cookies, you can turn simple treats into a focal point for your occasion.
Expert Tips: Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
Creating the perfect soft sugar cookies with icing can be a breeze with a few expert tips. Consider the following pointers to enhance your baking experience and ensure delectable results:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use ingredients that are at room temperature (like butter and eggs) to promote better mixing and a smoother dough.
- Measuring Flour: It’s important to measure your flour correctly. Too much flour results in a dense cookie. For best results, scoop the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a knife.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough before baking is crucial. It helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from becoming overly flat.
- Watch the Baking Time: Each oven can vary, so keep a close eye on your cookies. You want them to be set but not browned. When the edges look firm, it’s often time to take them out.
- Use Sifted Powdered Sugar: For your icing, sifting the powdered sugar before mixing helps to remove any lumps, making your icing smooth and easy to work with.
- Adjusting Consistency: Always add milk a little at a time when making icing, as you can achieve your desired consistency more easily.
By implementing these tips, you enhance your chances of making soft, fluffy cookies that everyone will adore.
How to Store Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
Storing your baked soft sugar cookies properly helps maintain their freshness and taste. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Airtight Containers: Once the icing has fully set, store your cookies in an airtight container. You can stack them between layers of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Room Temperature Storage: These cookies can be kept at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. Ensure they are in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight to preserve their freshness.
- Freezing for Longevity: If you wish to keep them longer, soft sugar cookies freeze very well. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature.
With these storage tips, you can enjoy your cookies over time without compromising their delightful softness.
Variations of Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
While the classic soft sugar cookie recipe is undeniably delicious, experimenting with variations can elevate your baking game. Here are some exciting ideas you might want to try:
- Flavored Icing: Instead of vanilla, consider trying almond extract or lemon extract for your icing. These variations can give a delightful twist to the flavor profile of your cookies.
- Different Colors: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your food coloring! Experiment with various shades to match different holidays or themes.
- Add-in Options: Incorporate mini chocolate chips or seasonal candies into the cookie dough for extra flavor and texture.
- Nutty Addition: Consider adding finely chopped nuts (like walnuts or almonds) to the dough for a different taste and crunch.
- Citrus Zest: Adding lemon, lime, or orange zest to the dough enhances the freshness of the cookies and introduces a lovely citrus aroma.
- Sandwich Cookies: Make these cookies into delightful sandwich cookies by adding a layer of icing between two cookies for double the sweetness.
These variations empower you to personalize your cookies, making them even more special and appealing to different tastes.
FAQ about Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
What makes soft sugar cookies soft?
The key to soft sugar cookies lies in the ratio of butter to flour and the creaming method used when mixing the ingredients. A higher butter content and proper chilling prevent them from spreading too thin, maintaining tenderness.
Can I use margarine instead of butter for soft sugar cookies with icing?
While margarine can be used, it may not yield the same richness in flavor and texture as butter does. For the best results, stick with unsalted butter.
What do I do if my icing is too thick?
If the icing turns out too thick, simply add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time. Mix until you achieve the desired consistency for spreading.
How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Chilling the dough before baking is crucial. It helps solidify the fats in the cookies, preventing them from spreading too much in the oven.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough several days in advance; just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready, follow the baking instructions after chilling.
Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 4.5 cups all-purpose flour Sifted
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.75 teaspoon table salt
- 1.5 cups butter (at room temperature)
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 5 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Icing
- 5 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1/3 cup butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 7-8 tablespoons milk (plus more as needed)
- to taste pink food coloring (if desired)
- to taste rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the vanilla extract; mix until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until no flour pockets remain.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop about 3 tablespoons of chilled dough for each cookie, roll into a ball, and flatten slightly on the sheets, leaving space between cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just set, ensuring they don't turn golden brown.
- Cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Icing
- In a mixing bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Adjust the icing consistency with additional milk if needed, and incorporate pink food coloring if desired.
- Frost the cooled cookies and add sprinkles if using. Let the frosted cookies sit at room temperature for about 2 hours for the icing to set.
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