Sophie Marrow Frosted sugar cookies are a classic dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
The history of frosted sugar cookies can be traced back to the 16th century, when they were first made in Europe. These early cookies were simple in design and were often flavored with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Over time, frosted sugar cookies became more popular and began to be decorated with a variety of icings and sprinkles.
Today, frosted sugar cookies are a popular treat all over the world. They are often served at parties and gatherings, and can be a great way to show your loved ones how much you care.
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookies
Frosted sugar cookies are a classic dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
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Ingredients: The first step in making frosted sugar cookies is to gather your ingredients. You will need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Mixing: Once you have your ingredients, you can begin mixing the dough. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Chilling: Once the dough is mixed, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough to firm up and make it easier to roll out.
- Rolling and cutting: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut out the cookies using a cookie cutter of your choice.
- Baking: Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Frosting: Once the cookies have cooled, you can frost them with your favorite frosting.
Frosted sugar cookies are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
1. Ingredients
The ingredients listed in the passage are essential for making frosted sugar cookies. Without them, the cookies would not turn out properly. The butter, for example, is used to create the dough’s rich flavor and texture. The sugar provides sweetness, while the eggs and flour help to bind the dough together. The vanilla extract adds flavor, and the baking soda and salt help the cookies to rise and brown.
It is important to measure the ingredients carefully when making frosted sugar cookies. If you add too much or too little of an ingredient, the cookies will not turn out properly. For example, if you add too much flour, the cookies will be tough. If you add too little sugar, the cookies will not be sweet enough.
Once you have gathered your ingredients, you can begin making the frosted sugar cookies. The first step is to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, which will make the cookies light and airy. Next, you will add the eggs and vanilla extract. Then, you will gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Once the dough is mixed, you will wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough to firm up and make it easier to roll out. Once the dough has chilled, you will roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Then, you will cut out the cookies using a cookie cutter of your choice.
The final step is to bake the cookies. You will bake them at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Once the cookies have cooled, you can frost them with your favorite frosting.
Frosted sugar cookies are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
2. 1 cup granulated sugar
Granulated sugar is a key ingredient in frosted sugar cookies. It provides sweetness and helps to create the cookie’s characteristic texture. Without sugar, the cookies would be bland and flat.
- Sweetness: Granulated sugar is a natural sweetener. It adds sweetness to the cookies, making them a delicious treat.
- Texture: Granulated sugar helps to create the cookie’s characteristic texture. The sugar crystals dissolve in the dough, creating a smooth and even texture.
- Volume: Granulated sugar adds volume to the cookies. The sugar crystals help to trap air in the dough, which makes the cookies light and fluffy.
- Crust: Granulated sugar helps to create a crust on the cookies. When the cookies bake, the sugar caramelizes and forms a crispy crust.
Overall, granulated sugar is a key ingredient in frosted sugar cookies. It provides sweetness, texture, volume, and a crust. Without sugar, the cookies would not be as delicious or as visually appealing.
3. 1 large egg
Eggs are an essential ingredient in many baking recipes, including frosted sugar cookies. They provide structure, moisture, and richness to the cookies. In frosted sugar cookies, the egg helps to bind the ingredients together and creates a chewy texture.
The egg also helps to brown the cookies and give them a golden color. Without an egg, the cookies would be more crumbly and less flavorful.
When choosing eggs for frosted sugar cookies, it is important to use large eggs. Large eggs are about 2 ounces each and contain about 1/4 cup of egg white and 1/4 cup of egg yolk. Using smaller eggs will result in cookies that are smaller and less flavorful.
Once you have gathered your ingredients, you can begin making the frosted sugar cookies. The first step is to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, which will make the cookies light and airy. Next, you will add the egg and vanilla extract. Then, you will gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Once the dough is mixed, you will wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough to firm up and make it easier to roll out. Once the dough has chilled, you will roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Then, you will cut out the cookies using a cookie cutter of your choice.
The final step is to bake the cookies. You will bake them at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Once the cookies have cooled, you can frost them with your favorite frosting.
Frosted sugar cookies are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is a common ingredient in many baking recipes, including frosted sugar cookies. It is made from vanilla beans, which are the fruit of a tropical orchid plant. Vanilla extract has a sweet, rich flavor that can enhance the flavor of other ingredients. In frosted sugar cookies, vanilla extract helps to balance the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the butter. It also helps to create a more complex flavor profile.
- Flavor enhancer: Vanilla extract is a natural flavor enhancer. It can help to bring out the flavor of other ingredients, such as sugar, butter, and flour. In frosted sugar cookies, vanilla extract helps to create a more complex and flavorful cookie.
- Aromatic: Vanilla extract has a distinctive aroma that can make your kitchen smell amazing while you’re baking. The aroma of vanilla is also very appealing and can make your cookies more inviting.
- Preservative: Vanilla extract contains antioxidants that can help to preserve the freshness of your cookies. This means that your cookies will stay fresh and delicious for longer.
- Emulsifier: Vanilla extract can help to emulsify the ingredients in your cookie dough. This means that the ingredients will mix together more evenly, which can result in a smoother, more consistent cookie.
Overall, vanilla extract is a key ingredient in frosted sugar cookies. It provides flavor, aroma, and other benefits that can help to make your cookies more delicious and enjoyable.
5. 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
In the context of making frosted sugar cookies, 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour is a crucial ingredient that plays several important roles:
- Structure: Flour provides the structure for the cookies. It forms a network of gluten proteins that trap the carbon dioxide gas produced by the baking powder and baking soda, causing the cookies to rise.
- Texture: Flour also contributes to the texture of the cookies. The amount of flour used will affect the chewiness or crispiness of the cookies. More flour will result in a chewier cookie, while less flour will result in a crispier cookie.
- Flavor: Flour adds a subtle flavor to the cookies. Different types of flour can impart different flavors, but all-purpose flour is a good choice for frosted sugar cookies because it has a neutral flavor that will not overpower the other ingredients.
- Color: Flour also contributes to the color of the cookies. The amount of flour used will affect how dark or light the cookies are. More flour will result in darker cookies, while less flour will result in lighter cookies.
Overall, 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour is a key ingredient in frosted sugar cookies. It provides structure, texture, flavor, and color to the cookies. Without flour, the cookies would not be able to rise properly, and they would be dense and crumbly.
6-8 Tips for Making Frosted Sugar Cookies
Frosted sugar cookies are a classic dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
- Use high-quality ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will have a big impact on the taste of your cookies. Use real butter, not margarine, and use pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla flavoring.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, which will make the cookies light and airy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the cookies from becoming tough.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help the dough to firm up and make it easier to roll out.
- Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. If the dough is too thin, the cookies will be crispy. If the dough is too thick, the cookies will be dense.
- Cut out the cookies using a cookie cutter of your choice. Be sure to flour the cookie cutter before cutting out the cookies to prevent the dough from sticking.
- Bake the cookies at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Do not overbake the cookies, or they will be dry and crumbly.
Summary of key takeaways or benefits:
- Using high-quality ingredients will result in better tasting cookies.
- Creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy will make the cookies light and airy.
- Adding the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, will prevent the cookies from becoming tough.
- Gradually adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined, will prevent the cookies from becoming tough.
- Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out will make the dough easier to roll out.
- Rolling out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch will result in cookies that are the perfect texture.
- Cutting out the cookies using a cookie cutter of your choice will allow you to create cookies in any shape you like.
- Baking the cookies at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, will result in cookies that are perfectly baked.
Transition to the article’s conclusion:
By following these tips, you can make delicious frosted sugar cookies that will be enjoyed by everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frosted Sugar Cookies
Frosted sugar cookies are a popular treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make, but there are a few things you need to know to ensure that your cookies turn out perfectly.
Question 1: What is the best way to cream the butter and sugar together?
Answer: To cream the butter and sugar together, use an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the dough, which will make the cookies light and airy.
Question 2: How long should I chill the dough before rolling it out?
Answer: You should chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help the dough to firm up, which will make it easier to roll out and less likely to stick to the rolling pin.
Question 3: What is the best way to cut out the cookies?
Answer: To cut out the cookies, use a sharp cookie cutter. Dip the cookie cutter in flour before cutting out each cookie. This will help to prevent the dough from sticking to the cookie cutter.
Question 4: How long should I bake the cookies?
Answer: You should bake the cookies at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Do not overbake the cookies, or they will be dry and crumbly.
Question 5: How can I decorate the cookies?
Answer: You can decorate the cookies with a variety of toppings, such as frosting, sprinkles, or royal icing. Be creative and have fun!
Question 6: How do I store the cookies?
Answer: You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Summary of key takeaways or final thought:
By following these tips, you can make delicious frosted sugar cookies that will be enjoyed by everyone.
Transition to the next article section:
Now that you know how to make frosted sugar cookies, you can experiment with different flavors and decorations. Be creative and have fun!
Conclusion
Making frosted sugar cookies is a fun and rewarding experience. By following the tips and instructions in this article, you can create delicious and beautiful cookies that will be enjoyed by everyone.
Frosted sugar cookies are a classic dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are relatively easy to make and can be decorated in a variety of ways, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced baker, we encourage you to give frosted sugar cookies a try. You may be surprised at how easy they are to make and how delicious they taste.
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