• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Bite - supper made simple.

Southern Bite

Stacey Little's Southern Food & Recipe Blog

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Course
    • Sauces/Dressings
    • Sides
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Soups
    • Weeknight Bites
  • Videos
    • Simply Southern TV
    • Behind the Recipe
    • Recipes with Videos
  • Cookbook
  • About
    • About Stacey
    • Media/PR
    • Contact
  • Recipe Box
Home » Recipes » Desserts

My Favorite Sugar Cookies

Stacey – December 20, 2012 – 207 Comments

Jump to Recipe Save Recipe

My Favorite Sugar CookiesEach year about this time, I start getting emails about holiday cookies. Many of them want my favorite sugar recipe and others are about things like how to keep cookies from spreading in the oven and keeping their shape.

When it comes to getting the perfect sugar cookie I’ve got a few tips. You’ll notice that my sugar cookie recipe has no baking powder in it and there are basically two reasons for that. First, the baking powder causes the cookie to puff and spread when they’re baking. If you have an intricately shaped cookie, you’ll lose some definition. Sure, your cookie will be a little more dense, but I bet you won’t notice much. Also, I’ve found that the cookies without baking powder are easier to decorate because they don’t break as easily. The other thing that I can recommend about creating the perfect sugar cookie is keeping the dough COLD. I make my dough and then wrap it in wax paper and refrigerate it for at least an hour (but preferably longer). Then I break the dough into quarters and only use a small amount at a time, keeping the other dough in the fridge. Keeping the dough cold will make them easier to cut out and transfer to a baking sheet. If you’re dough gets too warm and starts stretching and tearing easily, just ball it up and put it back in the fridge. Also, be sure to allow your cookie sheets to cool before you use them again. Otherwise, the cookies will start to spread before they make it into the oven.

When decorating, I prefer to use royal icing because of the taste and because it sets up hard so you can stack the cookies. I simply mix it up, divide into bowls, color it with gel based food colorings, and then decorate the cookies with a piping bag and assorted colored sugars.

Print Pin Save

Recipe Card

My Favorite Sugar Cookies

Prep Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs, extracts, and salt, mix well. Add the flour gradually, stirring well. Cover or wrap dough and chill for at least an hour, but preferably overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Divide dough into quarters and work with one quarter at a time, keeping the other refrigerated. Roll out on floured surface to about a 1/4 thickness. Cut into shapes with your favorite cookie cutters. Transfer cut-outs to a cool cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until set but not browned. Cool and decorate with royal icing.
Did you make my My Favorite Sugar Cookies?I'd love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @southernbite, and use the hashtag #southernbite!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating
Print Pin Save

Recipe Card

Royal Icing

Prep Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces pasteurized egg whites (I used All Whites brand)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat together whites and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well. Once all the sugar is incorporated, beat for two minutes on high or until smooth and glossy. Color using gel based food colorings.
Did you make my Royal Icing?I'd love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @southernbite, and use the hashtag #southernbite!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating

Know some folks who would like this?

Related Posts

Stack of Chewy Sugar Cookies
Best Chewy Sugar Cookies
Chewy Gingerbread Cookies with Eggnog Drizzle
Slice of Easy Oreo Chocolate Pie
Easy Oreo Chocolate Pie
Easy Cornflake Cookies on parchment paper
Easy Cornflake Cookies
Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter YouTube
About Cookbook Shop Contact

Join my mailing list!

Get new Southern Bite recipes delivered right to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you my Breakfast Bites mini ebook!

No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. vicki read

    December 2, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    I just entered and the pamper chef page is amazing!!!

  2. Kathi Davis

    November 29, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    Liked and shared …love Pampered Chef! Good luck to
    everyone

  3. KT

    November 26, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    I entered, and the Pampered Chef website is awesome!! I have been using Pampered Chef for 20+ years! Love, love, love it!!

« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter YouTube
About Cookbook Shop Contact
The Southern Bite Cookbook cover

Trending Now

  • Closer photo of Ultimate Chicken Spaghetti Ultimate Chicken Spaghetti
  • Simple Cucumber and Onion Salad
  • These quick and easy enchiladas only call for 5 ingredients and are ready in no time! It's the perfect recipe for a busy weeknight! #recipe #southernbite #enchiladas #easy #quick #weeknight 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas
  • Fajita Chicken Casserole
  • Close photo of Tomato and Cracker Salad Tomato Cracker Salad
  • Fried corn in cast iron skillet Southern Fried Corn

As Seen On

As seen on logos

Recipes by Category

  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Breads
  • Breakfast
  • Desserts
  • Main Course
  • Sauces/Dressings
  • Sides
  • Slow Cooker
  • Snacks
  • Soups
  • Weeknight Bites
  • Work with Me
  • My Cookbook
  • Contact
  • Cookbooks I Love
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

© 2009–2022 Southern Bite / Stacey Little Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. All Content Protected By Federal Copyright Laws.