If you have a soft spot for classic, buttery treats that invite creativity, then you’re going to fall in love with this Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe. These cookies boast a tender crumb with a hint of vanilla and just the right amount of sweetness, making them a joyous canvas for all your decorating dreams. Whether you’re preparing for holidays, parties, or simply want a delightful snack, this recipe captures the charm of traditional sugar cookies while offering melt-in-your-mouth perfection that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe lies in its simplicity—every ingredient plays a vital role in creating that perfect texture and rich flavor with a golden finish. Let’s break down the essentials and how they each contribute to this beloved treat.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure and the classic cookie chewiness.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives a gentle lift for a light, tender bite.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps achieve a perfect rise and delicate texture.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The star of the show for richness and buttery flavor.
- 1½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps in browning for that desirable golden color.
- 2 large eggs, beaten: Binds ingredients and adds moisture for that soft, tender result.
- â…“ cup milk: Adds just enough moisture to bring the dough together into perfection.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and classic flavor that makes these cookies irresistible.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This blend ensures that your cookies will have just the right texture and flavor balance. Keep this mix ready while you move on to the next step to maintain a smooth workflow.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Next, grab a separate bowl and cream your softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, which helps your cookies rise slightly and stay tender after baking. Once fluffy, beat in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined.
Step 3: Bring the Dough Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Do this slowly and mix until a smooth dough forms. This prevents overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough instead of tender and soft. Once your dough comes together, you’re almost ready to chill.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour. This chilling step is essential because it helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut clean shapes. It also prevents spreading during baking, keeping your cookie shapes crisp and neat.
Step 5: Roll the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F and get a lightly floured surface ready. Roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick. This thickness is perfect to achieve cookies that hold their shape well and bake evenly. The flour prevents sticking without drying out the dough.
Step 6: Cut and Place on Baking Sheets
Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes, whether classic circles or seasonal motifs. Place your cutouts on parchment-lined baking sheets to ensure even baking and easy cleanup. Leave a little space between each cookie to give them room to rise just slightly without touching.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on the edges—the moment they turn just golden is your cue to pull them out. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. This step ensures your icing or decorations won’t slide off and your cookies keep their perfect shape.
How to Serve Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe
Garnishes
Once your Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe are cooled, the fun part begins! Top them with royal icing for that classic, smooth finish or get creative with colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or even piped buttercream. Fresh zest like lemon or orange can add a subtle zing when mixed into your icing for an added burst of brightness.
Side Dishes
These sugar cookies are a fantastic complement to warm beverages. Pair with a cozy cup of spiced chai tea, hot cocoa, or freshly brewed coffee for a satisfying snack or dessert experience. They also shine alongside a simple bowl of fresh fruit for a balanced sweet plate when entertaining guests of all ages.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider turning your decorated Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe into charming party favors by wrapping them individually with colorful ribbons. Or arrange them on a tiered dessert tray to wow guests at a holiday gathering. For kids, set up a cookie decorating station complete with various toppings to let imaginations run wild—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your cookies, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to a week, retaining their buttery flavor and perfect texture, so you can snack on them day after day.
Freezing
You can also freeze unbaked dough or fully baked and cooled cookies. For dough, wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting. Baked cookies freeze well in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months, making it easy to whip up sweet treats anytime.
Reheating
If you want to refresh frozen cookies, warm them gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds until soft and fragrant again. This quick step brings back that freshly baked feel and amplifies the buttery aroma, almost like magic!
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with margarine?
While margarine can be used in a pinch, butter is key in this Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe for that authentic rich flavor and tender crumb. Margarine may alter the texture and taste, so for the best result, stick to unsalted butter.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which helps prevent cookie spreading during baking and ensures that clean cookie shapes hold up nicely. It also makes rolling and cutting easier. Skipping this step might lead to flat, less defined cookies.
Can I use a different flour type?
This recipe works best with all-purpose flour because it balances protein content to give the perfect texture. Using cake flour could make the cookies too soft, while bread flour may make them tough. If you want to experiment, be prepared for texture variations.
How can I make my cookies crispier?
If you prefer crispy edges, bake the cookies a minute or two longer, watching carefully for golden edges. Alternatively, roll the dough slightly thinner, but be careful not to overbake to avoid dryness.
What decorating tips work best with these cookies?
Royal icing is a favorite because it dries hard and smooth, allowing for intricate designs and layering. Buttercream can be used for a softer look, but needs to be thicker to hold shape. Don’t forget colorful sprinkles and edible markers for added personality!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about making and decorating a batch of these Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe. They are timeless treats that bring joy to every kitchen, perfect for sharing smiles and creating memories. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy each buttery, sweet bite of this classic delight.
Print
Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies: Classic, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies are classic, buttery, and perfect for decorating. With a smooth, easy-to-roll dough, they’re a delightful treat for any occasion, offering a tender crumb and just the right amount of sweetness.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- â…“ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside to prepare the wet ingredients.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending gently until a smooth, cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, which helps in rolling and cutting shapes.
- Preheat Oven & Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough disc out to approximately ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut Out Cookie Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes, then place them evenly spaced on parchment-lined baking sheets to prevent sticking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. Keep a close eye to avoid overbaking.
- Cool Before Decorating: Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks before decorating them to ensure icing or toppings don’t melt or slide off.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming for a fluffier texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking and makes rolling easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- These cookies can be decorated with royal icing, sprinkles, or left plain for a classic treat.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats on baking sheets to avoid sticking and promote even baking.
