If you are looking for a festive and delightful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, this Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These buttery, tender cookies bring a sprinkle of joy with every bite, perfect for celebrations, special moments, or just brightening up an ordinary day. With a simple ingredient list and a straightforward process, you’ll soon be filling your home with the warm aroma and charming shapes that make sugar cookies truly irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to baking star-worthy cookies that taste amazing. Each element plays a crucial role: the flour gives structure, baking powder helps with a gentle rise, butter adds richness, and vanilla extract brings out that classic sweet aroma.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the foundation for a soft yet sturdy cookie.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Ensures a subtle lift without losing shape.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds creaminess and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies perfectly without overpowering.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Delivers the classic warm vanilla note every sugar cookie needs.
- Optional: 1 tablespoon milk: Helpful if the dough feels too tough to roll out smoothly.
How to Make Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by mixing your dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, and salt — in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with a hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract, blending everything together until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, being careful not to overwork the dough. If it feels stiff, a tablespoon of milk will make the dough easier to handle. Wrap it tightly and chill in the fridge for at least an hour so it’s firm and ready to roll.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Lightly flour your surface and roll the chilled dough out to about a quarter-inch thickness—just enough so your star shapes hold up while baking. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your cookies, then place them about an inch apart on the baking sheet to make sure they bake evenly without sticking.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn a lovely light golden color. Keep a close eye near the end of baking to avoid browning too much. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring to wire racks so they finish cooling completely and firm up perfectly.
Step 4: Decorate and Enjoy
This Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe is wonderful all on its own, but feel free to get creative! Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar to add a festive touch that suits any occasion or mood you’re celebrating.
How to Serve Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling colorful sanding sugar or edible glitter on your star cookies right after cutting creates a sparkling effect that catches the eye and adds a sweet crunch. You can also pipe royal icing in bright colors to outline stars or create delicate patterns that make these cookies a showstopper at any gathering.
Side Dishes
Pair these star-shaped delights with a cozy mug of hot cocoa or a classic glass of cold milk. If you want to elevate your dessert spread, serve alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra special treat that everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange your cookies on a tiered dessert stand or scatter them artistically on a platter sprinkled with edible glitter or chopped nuts. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon makes for charming homemade gifts anyone would be thrilled to receive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your baked cookies can stay fresh and delicious for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain softness, and make sure the container is sealed well to keep out moisture and air.
Freezing
To keep your star-shaped sugar cookies fresh longer, freeze the unbaked dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed inside a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then proceed with rolling and cutting. You can also freeze fully baked cookies in an airtight container for up to three months; just thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to refresh your cookies after storing, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This brings back their soft, buttery texture and lightly toasts the edges to perfection.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for the cookies?
All-purpose flour is best for this Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe because it gives the perfect balance of tenderness and structure, but you can experiment with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, keeping in mind it might change the texture slightly.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Chilling the dough thoroughly before cutting and baking is key. This helps the cookies hold their shape better, especially with defined shapes like stars. Also, avoid using too much butter or sugar beyond the recipe’s recommendations.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?
You can substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and use a flax egg (mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of a chicken egg to adapt this Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe for dairy-free or vegan diets, though texture and flavor might differ slightly.
What is the best way to decorate these sugar cookies?
Royal icing is a classic choice for decorating star-shaped cookies because it dries hard and offers a smooth surface for intricate designs. You can also keep it simple with powdered sugar dusting or colorful sprinkles right before baking.
How long will the cookies keep their freshness?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh and tasty for about a week at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
This Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe is truly a joyful baking adventure that pays off with delicious results. Whether you’re making them to celebrate a special event, share with loved ones, or simply satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies will bring smiles and warmth to your kitchen. Give it a try, and watch how this classic treat becomes a cherished favorite in your recipe collection.
Print
Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Star Cookies featuring a buttery, tender texture and a subtle vanilla flavor. Perfectly crisp on the edges and soft in the center, these festive treats are easy to make and ideal for holiday celebrations or whenever you crave a sweet, homemade cookie.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 tbsp milk (if the dough is too stiff)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to combine all the dry ingredients evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until fully combined, adding flavor and richness to the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. If the dough feels too stiff, incorporate one tablespoon of milk to improve its workability.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, which will make it easier to roll out and cut.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and carefully place them on the baking sheet, spacing each about 1 inch apart to allow even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges start to turn a light golden brown, signaling they are perfectly baked.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage and ensuring even cooling.
- Decorate (Optional): After the cookies are fully cooled, decorate them as desired with icing, sprinkles, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- Serve: Enjoy your buttery, vanilla-scented star-shaped cookies as a delightful treat for any occasion or celebration.
Notes
- For a softer cookie, avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added.
- If the dough seems sticky, chilling it longer can help make it easier to work with.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Feel free to add food coloring to the dough or icing for holiday variations.
- These cookies can be frozen unbaked; thaw before rolling and cutting.
