Roll out Classic Butter - Sugar Cookies (Christmas or Holidays)

MarielC's Note:

I am so surprised that this recipe hasn't been posted yet! I've seen this recipe in so many books that it's a classic. This is easiest when made with a stand mixer. The recipe doubles nicely, in fact I rarely make a single batch. Make sure to use either parchment paper or better yet a Silpat or other silicone baking mat. You can roll them out the traditional way without the parchment but the method I use is much less mess and results in more tender cookies because no additional flour is added that could toughen them. There is no need to wash the mats between batches or change the parchment until you are done. If you own a Dobord this is the recipe to use it with. These are great glazed or not, decorated or not. If you are making 3D cookies or any shape that you don't want to spread too much you can leave out the baking powder. The yield is approximate as it really depends on the size of the cookies.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 3 dozen

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Glaze

• 1 lb confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon clear extract (your choice -I usually use clear vanilla or lemon)
• gel food coloring or paste food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Line some cookie sheets with either silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a mixer paddle attachment for two minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl.
4. Cream the mixture for an additional minute.
5. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
6. Sift together baking powder and flour. Add the flour mixture 1 cup at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly after each addition. Blend in the last cup of flour by hand. The dough will be stiff.
7. Divide the dough into two balls. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
8. Roll out one ball of dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top sheet of parchment paper and run a floured metal spatula under the dough to loosen it a bit.
9. Cut cookies with cookie cutters of your choice. Dip them in flour before each use.
10. Carefully place the cut out cookies onto prepared cookie sheets.
11. If you own a Dobord adjust to 1/4 inch. Line Dobord bottom plate with parchment paper. Cut another sheet of parchment paper and roll out dough between that and the lined bottom. Cut out cookies with cookie cutters dipped in flour before each use.
12. Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until they just start to brown. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before glazing. Repeat process with second ball of dough.
13. For Glaze (if using): In a mixing bowl thoroughly mix the sugar and the milk. The mixture should be very soft and have a heavy cream texture before you add the corn syrup. Add the corn syrup and mix just until combined. Mix in the extract and food coloring if you are planning on using only one color. If using many colors, divide up the glaze in to as many bowls as you need. Color each one using gel or paste food coloring (mix in a small bit at a time using a toothpick until you get the color you want). Use a small pastry brush to glaze the cookies. Paint the entire tops of the cookies with a thin layer of glaze and place back on the cooling racks to dry. Depending on temperature and humidity it will take between 6 and 12 hours for the glaze to dry completely.

Reviews

[Chef #1504823]

Loved it! This was incredibly easy to make and my family just loved them!

[KayKayPuff]

Fantastic cookie! Only mistake I made was over chilling the dough so I had to let them sit out and thaw. Not sure what was up with that but it was a refrigerator error...lol. I didn't use the glaze on them, used another frosting and regretted it. So we ended up just eating them plain. Added to the list of Christmas cookies to make. :) Thanks for posting!

[Chef #1169099]

easy to make and roll out!