Description
These classic sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweetened, making them an ideal treat for any occasion. Topped with creamy almond-flavored icing, they offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors. Easy to make from scratch, they use simple ingredients and bake quickly, making them perfect for holiday baking or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 whole large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350º F to ensure it reaches the right temperature for even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In an electric stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Mix in Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to mix everything evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until the dough just comes together.
- Form and Flatten Dough Balls: Roll the dough into golf ball-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet. Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to gently press each dough ball down, as the cookies will not spread much during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops appear dry.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the tray to maintain their shape and texture.
- Prepare Icing: Combine softened butter, powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk in a bowl. Mix until the icing is smooth and spreadable. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken as needed. Add food coloring if desired.
- Ice the Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread the prepared icing evenly over their tops.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies to keep them soft and tender.
- Rolling dough balls ensures uniform cookie size for even baking.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
- Adjust powdered sugar and milk in the icing to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Food coloring can be added to the icing for festive variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sugar cookies, homemade sugar cookies, easy sugar cookies, almond icing, classic cookies, butter cookies
