Steps to Making the Perfect Sugar Cookie (and Cookie Pop)

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By Rosie AlyeaFeb 28, 20220 comments

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Perfect Sugar Cookie via Sweetapolita

Modest title, right? Okay, well, I am proud of my sugar cookies, so don't mind me. I've been baking up batches like crazy these days, so I feel as though I have it down to a science. Funny, I used to make them primarily for special occasions, but they have become such a nice treat for pretty much anytime at all, simply because they taste so good. Sure, I decorate the heck out of them typically, but the cookies themselves are so good that I often eat them simple and plain. Crisp, sugary, and vanilla-y, which is just what a sugar cookie should be. The dough is the perfect consistency for rolling and cutting; and the batch is a really workable size, in my opinion. I've had a bunch of readers ask for my sugar cookie recipe, and albeit simple, to me it really is perfect. So, I thought now would be a good time to share it, and my steps to making them, with you, so that we can keep going with of plenty of decorated versions, and that we're all on the same sugar-cookie-basics page. I have to admit that I get told often that these cookies taste better than most, including the ones at Starbucks :) I started adding pure lemon extract to the batter in addition to the vanilla. This came to me after becoming hooked on the lemony-vanilla flavour in some Italian animal crackers I bought for the girls that tasted just like McDonaldland Cookies (Italians worldwide are cringing as we speak). I've added my own steps for the chilling/rolling/cutting process in the method below with what works for me. It may seem like a lot of work, but I promise that it's worth it. I learned, over the years, that if the cookies are baked with anything less than perfectly chilled dough, that they expand and don't keep their clean intended shapes. So frustrating, but avoidable. So here are some photos to help us along, and since I was making cookie pops this past weekend, I thought I would add that bit into this tutorial, just in case you felt inspired to make cookie pops; they too can be frustrating if the correct steps aren't taken. I purposely left the decorating portion out of this post, so that we can focus on the fundamentals of baking the cookies themselves. I want to say, though, that making sugar cookies is about personal preference, just as any technique is, and this is my way, but not necessarily the only way. Perfect Sugar Cookie via Sweetapolita

I've included explicit instructions for the sugar cookie recipe/chilling/rolling/baking below, but to give you a visual of the cookie pop process as well, I've included some extra photos. Here is the cookie dough after well-chilled and rolled using 2 dowels for even thickness and sandwiched between 2 pieces of parchment. This yields a perfectly even sheet of dough for cutting. I always slide this entire thing, minus the dowels, onto a large cutting board and place into refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

I then take the chilled sheet of dough out of the fridge and begin cutting my shapes. For cookie pops, I tend to cut one at a time, insert the cookie stick, place on baking sheet, and then move on to cutting the next cookie. On a side-note, let me say that collecting cookie cutters is slightly addictive!

So when making cookie pops, I take my cut shape, make sure it's near the edge of my board, gently place my left hand on top of the cookie shape, and using my right (dominant) hand, I slowly insert the end of the cookie stick (found at baking supply shops) into the bottom of the cookie, using a slow, turning motion. This really helps minimize breakage of the dough when inserted . . .

But, as we all know, hearts can be broken, so after inserting the stick, although the top of the cookie looks perfect, when I gently (and I mean so, so gently) turn the cookie over with a sharp spatula, I see that the bottom has broken a bit. But, that's okay, we can fix that . . .

Perfect Sugar Cookie via Sweetapolita

I take little wee bits of the cookie dough scraps and patch it up with my fingers (now is a good time to use some nice clean food prep sanitary gloves). See, all better. Now oh-so-carefully pinch the bottom of the cookie, where the stick meets it, and ensure it's secure. I then place each cookie pop onto the cookie sheet using a cookie spatula.

Perfect Sugar Cookie via Sweetapolita

Here they are ready to go into the oven, using a baker's mat. (I use Silpat Mats and clean Nordic Ware aluminum bakers half sheets, and I reserve the half sheets for cookie baking only, to keep them pristine.)

And baked! I find the key is letting them get a golden edge, but also a light golden hue--otherwise, I find they aren't crispy on the outside. They look so ready for some serious cookie decorating.

The Perfect Sugar Cookie (and Cookie Pop)

Buttery, crisp and classic vanilla, these sugar cookies are ideal for decorating, snacking, tea-time or gifting. If the steps are followed, they will keep their shapes well and won't expand while baking.

6 cups 750 g all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon 8 g salt
2 cups 454 g(4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened for about 20 minutes at room temperature
2 cups 400 g sugar
2 large eggs (cold)
1 tablespoon 15 mL pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon 1.25 mL pure lemon extract

In large bowl, sift together flour and salt. Set aside.
In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs.
Add flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla and lemon extract and blend.
Remove 1/2 of dough from bowl, make a ball, and place on a large piece of plastic wrap on counter.Wrap the sides of wrap over the ball, then press down with the palm of your hand and make a disc about 2" thick. Finish wrapping the disc with the plastic wrap. Repeat with 2nd half of dough. Chill both discs of dough for about 45 minutes.
Remove one disc and remove plastic wrap. Place on top of a large piece of parchment paper (I use a silicone rolling mat underneath to ensure it doesn't slip while rolling, but you can even dampen counter so the parchment sticks a bit.), then place two 1/4" wooden dowels on either side of your dough, then another sheet of parchment paper.
Roll dough (this will require a bit of elbow grease for the first few minutes until it softens up a bit) so it's flush with dowels--they will ensure that your dough is even thickness.
Preheat your oven to 325° F. Slide your parchment paper and dough onto a board, then place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
Remove from fridge, and cut your shapes using the cutters of your choice, placing them on a baker's half sheet lined with a silicone baking mat (or parchment), with 2" clearance around each one and the edge of sheet. Place sheet with cookies into freezer for 15 minutes before baking. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
Cool sheets on wire racks for 10 minutes, then gently remove cookies and place on wire racks to finish cooling.
Decorate with your favourite Royal Icing and sprinkle medley combination! Fairy Tale, Bright Skies, and Bubble Tea are always a hit!

*May be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. They also freeze well.

For other Sweetapolita cookie decorating ideas, here are a few from popular past posts that you may like Artist Palette & Paintbrush Cookies or Neapolitan Milk & Chocolate Cookies. I find I'm drawn to using fondant for my cookie decorating--not always, but often. If you'd like to read some seriously great cookie decorating tutorials, ideas, tips, and more, with a focus on royal icing designs, here are some of my fabulous cookie-goddess friends' blogs that I know you will love, if you don't already, that is. These reigning queens of cookie are incredible at what they do (in no particular order): Bridget, Bake at 350 Callye, The Sweet Adventures of Sugar Belle Gail, Sweetopia Glory, Glorious Treats Good luck & enjoy! Sugar Cookie recipe adapted from my class at Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts has been teaching the art of cake design, decorating, and sugarcraft since 2008. They offer professional level programs for those committed to pursuing a career in cake design and a variety of continuing education for all skill levels.