The Best Sugar Cookies
This recipe for The Best Sugar Cookies comes from my Grandma Lily and makes the most delicious sugar cookies! They pair perfectly with the buttercream and are perfect for any holiday, birthday or celebration!
Servings: 20 cookies
Ingredients
For the sugar cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg room temperature
- 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- ½ tsp kosher salt
For the buttercream
- ¾ cup salted butter room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- food coloring, if needed
Instructions
For the sugar cookies:
- In a stand mixer, cream room temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add in vanilla and egg and beat on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until the dough comes together.
- At this point you can cover the dough with saran wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill, but I find it easier to cut the cookies and then chill the dough. If you're cutting before, lightly dust your counter with flour and roll out the dough to about ¼-½ inch thick. Using your desired cookie cutters, cut out the shapes and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Re-roll out the dough and repeat cutting out shapes until all of the dough is used up. Cover pans with saran wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, but up to overnight.
- Turn the oven onto 350°. Arrange cookies about 1 ½ inch apart on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let them sit on the cookie sheet for two minutes. Then remove and add to a cookie rack to cool completely.
For the buttercream:
- Add the butter and powdered sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add in the vanilla, salt and heavy cream and mix on medium until smooth and incorporated. Divide into different bowls and dye with the colors you prefer. This buttercream does stiffen up, so if it sits too long mix vigorously with a spoon or whisk and it will become smooth again. Decorate cookies and enjoy!