Frosted Sugar Cookies
If you’re a fan of soft (almost doughy) frosted sugar cookies, then this recipe is for you. I decided to make these with a soft buttercream frosting since we were going all the way anyway and I seemed to coincidentally have an abundance of butter on hand…
INGREDIENTS
COOKIE
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 5 tsp vanilla extract
FROSTING
- 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring
HOW TO MAKE IT
COOKIE
- Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until soft and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed, then blend in the vanilla
- With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients mixing just until incorporated and evenly mixed
- Cover and chill the dough for 1 hour
- When you are ready to bake the cookies, scoop a scant quarter cup of dough and roll into a ball
- Flatten the ball slightly and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies at least 2-3 inches apart
- Bake at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes or just until set
- Be careful not to overbake! The edges should be no more than very lightly browned (if at all)
- Let cool on the baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
FROSTING
- In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds
- Add confectioners’ sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds
- Scrape down the bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully combined, about 15 seconds
- Scrape bowl, add vanilla and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 10 seconds – then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice
- At this point, if you want too add in the food coloring do so and mix until it is well combined and one solid color
*Cookie recipe from Annie’s Eats, frosting recipe adapted from Cooks Illustrated