There really is nothing simpler or more versatile than the good old Sugar Cookie. Now coming from Australia, Sugar Cookies were obviously around, but they do not get the air play or hype that they do in America. Sugar Cookies are seriously the adored VIP at every Birthday, Holiday, Teacher Appreciation Lunch, Christmas Cookie Party or just general get togethers, and since living here...I have learnt this amounts to many, many, MANY functions and cookies!!
When I landed Stateside, I quickly realized that learning to bake a great Sugar Cookie was essential! After going through the process of trial and error with a few different recipes (that are all basically the same at the end of the day, with a few slight variances), I found the ONE that worked for me every time without the Pinterest fail. Some ask for an added ingredient here or there but really, it does not have a great effect on the general taste of the cookie. I discovered, using a super basic recipe was particularly convenient and cost effective, not to mention perfect for a Mum of three very active children. It was actually the method I used to make them that really made the difference. Oh and just a side note, if you forget to add the sugar..it is a major game changer, but a good lesson as to why we always taste test our baking before serving!!
Now, enough of me telling you of my baking fails and onto the recipe and method which is actually going to work for you every time.
THE RECIPE
250 grams Unsalted Butter Room Temp
250 grams Bakers Sugar🇺🇸 (Caster Sugar 🇦🇺)
500 grams Plain Flour
2 x Medium to Large Eggs Room Temp
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
With an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar together until creamy and quite fluffy. I beat until the mixture until it turns a very light yellow, nearly white in color.
Add in the eggs and vanilla to your mixing bowl, mix until well combined on a medium speed.
Then add your flour, mix on a slow speed until all ingredients come together into a dough. DO NOT over beat, this will toughen your mixture.
Put dough in an air tight container, zip lock bag or wrap in cling wrap and then put into the fridge for at least half an hour. I usually try to prepare the night before, then I can get up and start the day baking!
Pre-heat your oven to 180°C/350°F.
Lightly dust your work space with flour and roll out the cookie dough to the thickness of your choosing. Some people prefer thin and well cooked, or thicker for a more shortbread like consistency....it comes down to personal preference....kind of like how you have your Pizza. It is best to dust the top of the dough with a little flour as well to prevent the dough sticking to the rolling pin.
Choose your desired cookie cutter and start cutting, place your cookies on baking trays lined with greaseproof baking paper.
Bake the cookies for approx. 10 minutes or until they are slightly golden brown.
Ensure the cookies are cooled completely before starting to decorate or putting them in an airtight container.
Once the cookies are cooled, the fun of decorating begins! But that my friends...is for another day.
Where style and flair, meet good taste!
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