Each year Red Tricycle’s L.A. Editor, Meghan makes sweet treats for her annual holiday cookie party. While the staples like gingerbread houses and brownies are always a hit, Meghan always whips up a batch of these basic sugar cookies. Meghan says that she’s tried every sugar cookie recipe on the planet and this one is by far the best.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Meghan adds an extra teaspoon)
Assorted candies, sprinkles, or colored sugars, for decorating (optional)
Method:
1. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined. Divide dough in half; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic; freeze until firm, at least 20 minutes, or place in a resealable plastic bag, and freeze up to 3 months (thaw in refrigerator overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment. Remove one dough disk; let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Roll out 1/8 inch thick between two sheets of floured parchment, dusting dough with flour as needed. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Using a spatula, transfer to prepared baking sheets. (If dough gets soft, chill 10 minutes.) Reroll scraps; cut shapes. Repeat with remaining dough.
3. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden, 10 to 18 minutes (depending on size). Cool completely on wire racks. To ice cookies, spread with the back of a spoon. Let the icing harden, about 20 minutes. Decorate as desired.
What’s your favorite sugar cookie recipe? Is it this one? Tell us below!
Photo courtesy of Meghan Rose; recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart
