Celebration Sugar Cookies Recipes

SOFT CUT-OUT SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be relatively soft. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, add 1 more Tablespoon of flour.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Place each portion onto a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour if the dough seems too sticky. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4-inch thick.
• Lightly dust one of the rolled-out doughs with flour. Place a piece of parchment on top. (This prevents sticking.) Place the 2nd rolled-out dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours and up to 2 days.
• Once chilled, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Carefully remove the top dough piece from the refrigerator. If it's sticking to the bottom, run your hand under it to help remove it- see me do this in the video above. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all is used. Repeat with 2nd piece of dough. (Note: It doesn't seem like a lot of dough, but you get a lot of cookies from the dough scraps you re-roll.)
• Arrange cookies on baking sheets 3 inches apart. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the baking sheet halfway through bake time. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
• Decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing or easy glaze icing. Feel free to tint either icing with gel food coloring. See post above for recommended decorating tools. No need to cover the decorated cookies as you wait for the icing to set. If it's helpful, decorate the cookies directly on a baking sheet so you can stick the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to help speed up the icing setting.
• Enjoy cookies right away or wait until the icing sets to serve them. Once the icing has set, these cookies are great for gifting or for sending. Plain or decorated cookies stay soft for about 5 days when covered tightly at room temperature. For longer storage, cover and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

CELEBRATION SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Make Cookies: Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl; set aside.
• Beat Blue Bonnet and sugar in large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture while beating on low speed until well blended. Divide dough in half. Wrap each half in plastic food wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour for easier handling.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly flour work surface. Roll out half of the dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Transfer to a wire rack and cool.
• Make Frosting: Combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk; mix until smooth and spreadable. Color with food coloring, if desired. Frost cookies; decorate, if desired.
• No-Roll Variation: Prepare cookie dough as directed. Shape dough into 1-inch balls (chill dough if too soft to handle). Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten cookies with bottom of glass dipped in flour. Bake at 375°F 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Frost and decorate as desired.

CELEBRATION COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark or nonstick pans). In large bowl, mix about half of the dry cake mix, the shortening, butter, vanilla and egg, using spoon, until thoroughly mixed. Stir in remaining cake mix. Break up any lumps with fork.
• Divide dough in half. On lightly floured cloth-covered board, roll each half 1/4 inch thick with cloth-covered rolling pin. Cut dough with 2 1/2-inch bell- or heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 6 to 8 minutes or just until set (centers will be soft). Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Decorate cookies with frosting. Store loosely covered.