The BEST Sugar Cookie Recipe for the Holidays

What’s a good holiday without a good sugar cookie!?? I just feel like the holidays and sugar cookies go hand in hand. This is a simple recipe but packed with tons of flavor.

Watch the detailed video with the step-by-step process of how I make these delicious sugar cookies here.

The best part about sugar cookies is making fun cut outs! I just love making fun shapes and decorating them. They make for fun gifts for friends and family when you’re not trying to spend an arm and a leg on gifts. I’m not going to overwhelm you with a bunch because I want to get right to this recipe for you all.

Here’s the sugar cookie recipe:

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 c. (two sticks) of unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar

• 1 egg

• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp. almond emulsion

• 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp. baking powder

• 1 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Cream together softened butter and confectioner’s sugar. Crack the egg into a separate bowl, and add the flavoring. I use emulsions, but extract also works well. Add that to the butter sugar mixture and mix until the egg is thoroughly incorporated. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add little by little to the mixture. I can tell the dough is ready when it no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. When I touch it, it has a little give, but does not stick to my fingers.

Now y’all know I couldn’t leave y’all hanging on the royal icing recipe! This is one of the best recipes to use to decorate cut outs. This is the exact recipe I used in my step-by-step video above. They key thing about this recipe is actually following the instructions! Royal icing can be a bit tedious, but super fun to use to decorate!

Royal Icing Recipe

2 pounds {one bag} confectioner's sugar {907 grams}

• 5 tablespoons meringue powder {approximately 53 grams}

• 2-3 teaspoons oil-free extract or emulsion

• 1/2-3/4 cups warm water

Instructions

1. Begin by stirring the flavoring into half the water.

2. Using a paddle attachment, gently mix the sugar and meringue powder. It's not necessary to sift the sugar beforehand, but you can if you like.

3. With the mixer on it's lowest setting slowly add the water/flavoring mix to the dry ingredients. As the water is added, the icing will become thick and lumpy.

4. Continue to add the remaining water {this may or may not be the entire amount} until the mixture reaches a thick, honey like consistency. At this point, turn the mixer to medium speed and whip 2-4 minutes until this icing is thick and fluffy. Mixing time can vary greatly so watch carefully and stop mixing when the icing is this enough to form a soft peak.

Hopefully this recipe is perfect for you and your family to create nothing but fun memories for the holidays. Enjoy!

Xoxo,

Britt