These Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies will become your go-to sugar cookie recipe! They’re easy, moist, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for any celebration or a simple sweet treat!
Embrace the Festive Spirit with Irresistible Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies
As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin their vibrant transformation, our thoughts often turn to holidays and the joy of creating cherished memories. With Halloween just around the corner, there’s an undeniable buzz in the air – a magic that brings out the inner child in all of us. I confess, Halloween is one of my absolute favorite times of the year! The thrill of decorating the house with spooky yet charming adornments, the satisfying process of carving pumpkins into grinning jack-o’-lanterns, and the delightful aroma of toasted pumpkin seeds filling the kitchen are all rituals I deeply cherish. But nothing quite compares to the heartwarming experience of giving out candy on Halloween night, witnessing the sheer delight and creativity of children in their costumes. It instantly transports me back to my own childhood days, trick-or-treating with my sisters and friends, collecting a bounty of treats. Those were truly unforgettable times, and I still can’t quite grasp who decided there was an age limit for such pure fun!
The Halloween Candy Dilemma and a Sweet Solution
Even though our neighborhood isn’t bustling with an endless stream of trick-or-treaters, I always make it a point to be overly prepared with an ample supply of candy. Just in case! As the evening winds down and the little ghouls and goblins become fewer and further between, I often find myself engaging in a bit of strategic candy distribution. My secret? I start generously handing out extra handfuls of candy per child. Why, you ask? Because, honestly, I genuinely don’t want to be left with a colossal bucket of candy myself! That, my friends, is a recipe for trouble – late-night snacking, sugar rushes, and a never-ending battle against temptation. I suspect the clever kids from across the street have caught on to my benevolent scheme, as they consistently manage to be the last ones to ring my doorbell. They usually walk away with the lion’s share, if not the entire remainder, of the candy bucket!
Their initial protests of “Oh no, we couldn’t, Mrs. D!” are quickly met with my earnest plea, “No, really, you’ll be saving me from single-handedly devouring this entire bucket over the next few weeks (or let’s be real, days!)”. With grateful thank-yous, they usually dash off before I have a chance to reconsider, their costumes fluttering in the autumn breeze. It’s a win-win situation: they get an extra sugary haul, and I avoid the inevitable sugar crash.
Introducing Your New Favorite: Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies
Since I’ll be successfully avoiding the temptation of a mountain of leftover Halloween candy, I decided to whip up something equally, if not more, delightful to “treat” myself while handing out goodies: my all-time favorite Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies, adorned with festive Halloween sprinkles. Trust me when I say, you are absolutely going to adore these cookies. They are every bit as satisfying as any candy you might encounter!
This recipe is my personal go-to for sugar cookies, and it has received the highest praise possible from my son, Sean, who famously dislikes chocolate. For him to give these cookies a “double thumbs up” speaks volumes about their incredible taste and texture. When I first embarked on my sugar cookie baking journey, I would only incorporate vanilla extract. However, I’ve since discovered a secret ingredient that elevates these cookies from good to truly exceptional: a harmonious blend of vanilla and a touch of almond extract. This subtle addition makes a profound difference, lending a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.
The Secret to Perfect Sugar Cookies: Flavor and Texture
Beyond their exquisite taste, what makes these Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies truly remarkable is their ease of preparation. Unlike many sugar cookie recipes that demand hours of chilling time, this particular recipe only requires a mere hour in the refrigerator. No more waiting around endlessly for the dough to firm up, allowing you to enjoy freshly baked cookies in significantly less time. This makes them an ideal choice for impromptu baking sessions or when you need a quick dessert for a gathering.
You also have complete control over the size and texture of your cookies. I typically use a tablespoonful of dough for each cookie, resulting in a perfectly portioned treat. The baking time is key to achieving your desired consistency. For those who prefer their sugar cookies wonderfully soft and chewy, bake them for approximately 8 minutes. If you, like me, appreciate a cookie with a slight crispness around the edges, simply extend the baking time by about 3 minutes, or until you observe a delicate golden-brown hue forming along the perimeter. This versatility ensures that everyone can enjoy a sugar cookie baked precisely to their liking.
Tips for Baking the Best Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies
Achieving sugar cookie perfection is simpler than you might think with a few key techniques. First, ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together seamlessly with the sugar, creating a light and fluffy base that contributes to the cookies’ tender crumb. Overmixing the dough is a common pitfall; once the dry ingredients are added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies.
Don’t skimp on the chilling time. Even though this recipe is quick, that hour in the fridge is crucial. It allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading excessively in the oven and helping them maintain their shape. When rolling the dough into balls and then in sprinkles, be gentle. And when flattening them with a sugar-dipped glass, apply even pressure for uniform thickness, which promotes even baking.
Finally, know your oven. Oven temperatures can vary, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your cookies, especially during the last few minutes of baking. The visual cues – slightly puffed, set edges for soft cookies, and lightly golden edges for crispier ones – are your best indicators. Once baked, allowing them to cool on a wire rack ensures air circulation, preventing them from becoming soggy.
More Than Just a Halloween Treat
While these Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies are undeniably perfect for Halloween with their vibrant sprinkles, their appeal extends far beyond a single holiday. Imagine them adorned with red and green sprinkles for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or even school colors for a graduation party. Their classic vanilla-almond base makes them a versatile canvas for any celebration or theme. They pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a cozy mug of hot cocoa on a chilly evening. These cookies also make a thoughtful homemade gift, beautifully packaged for friends, family, or neighbors. Their timeless flavor and delightful texture ensure they will be a welcomed treat anytime, anywhere.
I genuinely hope you all have a fantastic Halloween filled with joy, laughter, and perhaps a batch of these wonderful sugar cookies! Have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing you back at The Beach House Kitchen on Monday for more delicious recipes and kitchen adventures!
Classic Sprinkled Sugar Cookies
Mary Ann Dwyer
24
cookies
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
1 hour
20 minutes
8 minutes
1 hour
28 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus extra for flattening cookies
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. almond extract
- 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix on low speed until all ingredients are well blended.
- Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar to the wet mixture.
- Continue to stir until the dough is just combined and well blended, being careful not to overmix.
- Cover the cookie dough with wax paper or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Scoop a tablespoonful of dough and roll it into a neat ball. Then, roll each dough ball in a shallow bowl filled with sprinkles, ensuring a generous coating.
- Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart as the cookies will spread while baking.
- Gently flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass that has been lightly dipped in a bowl of granulated sugar. This not only flattens them but also adds a delicate sugary crust.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 8 minutes for softer, chewier cookies. For crispier cookies with slightly browned edges, bake for approximately 11 minutes.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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