Best-Ever Sugar Cookies

Name: Best-Ever Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Yield: 16 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 c. (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter; 1 c. sugar; 3 large eggs; 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp. salt; 3 1/4 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for surface

By Cheryl SlocumPublished: Dec 26, 2012

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Lara Robby/Studio D

Yields:

16 serving(s)

Prep Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 45 mins

Simple sugar cookies couldn't be more versatile. Go glamorous with ornament-shaped cutters and colorful icing — or whip up something really sweet by frosting 5-inch by 7-inch cookies with Royal Icing, then adding a thoughtful note with food-safe markers.

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Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface

Directions

1. Step 1In a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium-high, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract and salt. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add all-purpose flour, beating until ingredients are combined. (Dough will be slightly sticky.)
2. Step 2Divide dough into 4 equal portions and cover each in plastic wrap, patting into 1/2-inch-thick squares. Chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.
3. Step 3Preheat oven to 400°F. On a floured surface, roll out dough, a square at a time, to 1/3 inch thick. Cut out cookies using cutters. Transfer cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4Bake until lightly golden, about 12 minutes. Cool completely on pan or wire rack before decorating.