Homemade Holiday Sugar Cookies
Cut out your own fun shapes with this holiday sugar cookie recipe. Create cookie designs and decorate them with Grandma's Decorator Icing. Looking for more cookie recipes? Check out our Classic Sugar Cookies!
Servings 30
Baking Temp 375°F
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric stand or hand mixer
- Cookie cutters
- Metal spatula
- Baking sheets
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
Baking the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.
- Reduce speed to low; add flour, cream of tartar and baking soda. Mix until a soft dough is formed. Cover; chill dough 30 minutes.
- Roll out dough (¼” thick) onto clean surface. To prevent dough from sticking, sprinkle with flour as needed.
- With cookie cutters, cut out cookies. Use floured metal spatula to transfer cookies onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheets. Reroll trimmings and cut.
- Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool a few minutes on baking sheets. Transfer cookies to wire rack. When completely cool, decorate with icing, sugars, and sprinkles.
Grandma's Decorator Icing
- Combine with mixer 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, ½ cup shortening, 4-5 tablespoons cold water, ½ teaspoon lemon extract, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and ⅛ teaspoon sea salt.
Glossy Sugar Icing
- Whisk together 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk and ¼ teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract.
Notes
Kansas Wheat Test Kitchen note: Cookies can be made ahead and frozen, then decorated later.