ABC Sugar Cookies

By Torie CoxPublished: Aug 9, 2020

Ren Fuller

Yields:

Total Time:

3 hrs 5 mins

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for work surface

Make Cookies
1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat butter, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 4 to 6 minutes. Beat in egg. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in flour just until combined, scraping bottom and sides of bowl to incorporate if needed. Divide dough in half; wrap each half with plastic wrap and flatten into disks. Chill 1 to 24 hours.
2. Step 2On a heavily floured work surface, roll half of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out cookies using 3-inch letter-shaped cutters. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Reroll scraps and cut until all dough is used. Repeat with remaining dough.
3. Step 3Bake until cookies are firm to the touch but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool cookies completely on baking sheets.
Make Royal Icing
1. Step 1Beat confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 3 tablespoons water with an electric mixer on medium speed until thick, about 1 minute. Add more water, if necessary, to reach desired piping consistency. Tint icing desired colors with gel food coloring. Place icing into piping bags with small open tips (number 2 or 3). Decorate cookies as desired. Let stand until set, 30 minutes.