Deluxe Sugar Cookies

by Melody Thacker, in Baking, Recipes (2 Comments)

Sugar cookies are a popular cookie for Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day or any day. These deluxe sugar cookies can be eaten plain, decorated with icing or sandwiched together with jelly or jam to make jam jams.

Part of the holiday fun is baking. Decorating cookies is a wonderful and delicious way for kids and bakers of all ages to be creative. You’ll find a printable version of the recipe below.

Deluxe Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients for deluxe sugar cookies:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp Watkins Baking Vanilla
1/2 tsp Watkins Almond Extract or flavor of choice
2 tbsp milk
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp Baking Powder

Directions for cookies: Combine butter, sugar, egg, extracts, and milk in large bowl. Stir in flour and baking powder; mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (about 2 hours).

Preheat oven to 400ºF. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough one third at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with floured cookie cutter. If you are making sandwich cookies, use a smaller cutter or knife to cut the center out of half the cookies. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes or until cookie edges are light, golden brown. Immediately remove to wire rack to cool. Makes 5 to 6 dozen cookies. Decorate if desired.

You can change the flavor of your cookies by substituting 1 – 2 teaspoons of another extract of your choice for the almond and vanilla. Here’s a big list to choose from Almond, Anise, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Coffee, Lemon,Lime, Mint, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Banana, Butter, Butter Vanilla, Bubble Gum, Caramel, Chai Tea, Cherry, Coconut, Cream Cheese, Hazelnut, Maple, Maple Bacon, Pistachio, Pumpkin Spice, Raspberry, Red Velvet, Root Beer, Rum, and Strawberry.

Icing for Deluxe Sugar Cookies

4 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 to 4 tbsp milk
1 to 2 tsp Watkins Extracts to taste. Vanilla, almond or another complementary flavor of your choice.
Food color if desired

Directions for icing: Combine all ingredients, beat until smooth. Decorate cookies.

Directions for Jam Jams or Sandwich Sugar Cookies: Spread bottom cookies with about 1/2 teaspoon of jelly or jam of your choice, cover with a cookie with the center cut out.  So pretty and tasty!

I recommend Watkins food coloring because it’s free from artificial colors. Color is derived from pure vegetable juices and spices including beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina extract. They are also gluten-free and FD&C dye free.

Tip: Shake well before use.

Red Food Coloring Tip: For optimal performance in baking preparation add 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar to dry mix, then color as desired. Best results are achieved with recipes that include whole eggs.

Green Food Coloring Tip: color changes may be noticed if baked at a temperature greater than 350 degrees.

 

You’ll find a wide variety of pure extracts, flavors and natural food colors from Watkins here. I only use Watkins in my baking and I’m proud to be an Independent Watkins Consultant. You should know, if you order through my links I’ll earn a commission.