Their Timeless Holiday Tradition
When it comes to holiday treats, few desserts evoke as much nostalgia and warmth as sugar cookies. Their buttery sweetness, endless decorating possibilities, and rich history make them a staple of the festive season. From cherished family baking sessions to elaborate cookie exchanges, sugar cookies have cemented their place as a timeless holiday tradition.
Why Do We Love Sugar Cookies So Much?
The universal appeal of sugar cookies lies in their simplicity and versatility.
- Delicate Flavor: With just the right balance of sweetness and buttery richness, sugar cookies are universally loved.
- Customizable Creations: Whether rolled, cut, or shaped into festive designs, these cookies serve as a canvas for creativity.
- A Sentimental Staple: For many, baking and decorating sugar cookies is a family tradition that brings loved ones together.
Their adaptability means sugar cookies can range from plain and comforting to intricately decorated works of art.
A Holiday Tradition with Deep Roots
The history of sugar cookies can be traced back centuries, originating from simple recipes of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. In the United States, they became a holiday staple thanks to German settlers in Pennsylvania who popularized their use in Christmas traditions during the 1700s.
By the 20th century, sugar cookies had evolved into a beloved Christmas tradition, with cutters shaped like stars, trees, and Santa Claus becoming household staples. Today, baking sugar cookies remains a cherished way to celebrate the season.
Making the Perfect Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are deceptively simple to make, but there’s an art to achieving that perfect texture and taste.
Ingredients
- Butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- All-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt or Salted Sweet Cream Butter.
Tips for Success
- Chill the Dough: Some recipes call for chilling- which can ensure the dough doesn’t spread too much, keeping shapes crisp.
- Roll Evenly: Use guides or spacers to ensure your cookies bake evenly.
- Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies from the oven just as the edges turn golden to maintain a soft center.
Decorating Magic
- Royal Icing: For intricate designs that set firm.
- Sprinkles and Sugars: For a playful, colorful look.
- Natural Decorations: Add dried fruit, edible flowers, or organic coloring for a rustic aesthetic.
- Traditional Frosting: The Buttercream Frosting I make is the absolute best (thanks again TwoSisters)– here is The Best Buttercream Frosting Recipe!!
Why Sugar Cookies Are a Holiday Favorite
Sugar cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a tradition. They bring people together, from children carefully cutting shapes to adults perfecting their decorating techniques. Baking sugar cookies isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the experience—the laughter, the shared stories, and the joy of creating something beautiful (and delicious) together. Some of my favorite memories are baking in the kitchen with my Mom, Grandma and whatever family was around during the holidays! My mom’s recipe is so good and always just tastes like home every time I have one of hers, and my mother-in-laws is wonderful and a recipe I had never even dreamed of! I have so enjoyed being in the kitchen with so many wonderful ladies! My goal is to make this cherished memory I have, a memory for my kids as well, and I have found the absolute best recipe thanks to the ladies of TwoSisters. This recipe is literally perfect!
The Role of Sugar Cookies
Festive Celebrations
- Cookie Exchanges: A highlight of the season, where sugar cookies often steal the show with their intricate designs.
- Santa’s Plate: No Christmas Eve tradition is complete without leaving a few sugar cookies for Santa.
- Homemade Gifts: Packaged in festive tins, sugar cookies make thoughtful, delicious presents for friends and family.
Sugar Cookies
Sweet Memories in Every Bite
For many of us, sugar cookies are tied to fond memories of childhood, family, and holiday cheer. Their aroma fills kitchens with warmth, while their decorating invites creativity and connection. Whether frosted, sprinkled, or simply enjoyed plain, sugar cookies embody the magic of the season.
This holiday season, take some time to bake and share sugar cookies with your loved ones. After all, the sweetness of the holidays isn’t just in the cookies—it’s in the moments we create while making them.
Happy Baking🎄✨
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The Only Sugar Cookie Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sweet Cream Salted Butter Softened
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 2 Eggs Large
- 2 tbsp Vanilla
- 4 tsp Baking Powder
- 6 cups Flour
Instructions
- Add the 4 sticks (2 cups) of butter and 2 cups of white sugar to your mixer. A word about the butter, I use Sweet Cream Salted Butter when I am baking and I think it tastes great with these sugar cookies too. The butter needs to be softened but still cold. A prime culprit for dry sugar cookie dough is butter that is too warm and soft. I let the butter sit out on the counter for just under an hour before I start making the cookies- this seems to be the perfect amount of time. The butter is still cold to the touch but you can press into the stick with your fingers. In the past, when in a rush, I have softened the butter in the microwave but inevitably the dough that I get is more on the "crumbly" side.
- Cream the butter and sugar until it is completely mixed (3 minutes on medium-high should do the trick)
- Add 2tbsp of vanilla and 2 eggs. I know that sounds like a lot of vanilla but this recipe needs a little extra moisture and the cookies will taste great.
- Mix the cookie dough until light and fluffy ( about 3 more mins)
- Add 4 tsp of Baking Powder and mix
- Mix in the 6 cups of flour two cups at a time. Don't over- mix the dough when you are adding the dry ingredients. Mix it only until the flour is incorporated into the dough.
- After you have added the 6 cups of Flour the dough should be firm but not dry or crumbly. If the dough seems to dry, add a tiny bit of vanilla or milk (start with a tsp) and mix again.
- Roll a handful of dough out on a prepared surface(powdered sugar is the best) until it's about 3/8" thick.
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters
- Bake in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees for 8-10 mins depending on the size of the cookie cutter you used. Do not over-bake! We like thicker sugar cookies so they will hold a good amount of frosting. If you make your cookies on the thick side as we have done- you should cook them on the longer side. They might not look done to you but they are. Take them out of the oven, You don't want them to start growing around the edges the way a Chocolate Chip Cookie would, for example. Over-baking is the prime culprit if you feel your sugar cookies seem dry. If you roll out thinner cookies or use smaller cookie cutters bake the cookies for less time.
- Let your cookies cool and then they are ready for frosting!