Best Vanilla Butter Sugar Cookies Recipes

VANILLA-BUTTER SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. Gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. , For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring. Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; transfer frosting to bag. Pipe decorations. Sprinkle with colored sugar. Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies, layered between waxed paper, in freezer containers. To use, thaw and decorate as desired.

BURNT-SUGAR VANILLA BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and the vanilla and beat on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and yolks one at a time, mixing until blended after each addition. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just blended, about 1 minute.
• Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap as an aid, gently knead into a smooth dough (the dough will be soft). Shape into a 12" round log about 3" in diameter and wrap in the plastic. Cut an empty paper towel roll open. Gently rest the dough in the roll and refrigerate until chilled and very firm, about 4 hours and up to 3 days. Dough can be frozen for up to one month.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 or more cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking liners. Put remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small bowl.
• Cut the dough into 1/4" slices. Gently press one side of cookie into the sugar to coat completely. Arrange the cookies sugar side up about 1" apart on the cookies sheets. Save the rest of the sugar for decorating the cookies. Bake, one sheet at a time, until golden brown, about 11-14 minutes. Let cookies cool on sheets for about 5 minute, then transfer to a rack for cool completely. Cookies may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days before proceeding.
• Dip sugared side of the cookies into the remaining sugar. Arrange cookies sugar side up on a flameprrof work surface. Pass the flame of a small kitchen torch over the cookies tops until evenly carmelized. Let cool completely before serving.

VANILLA BUTTER SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine sugar and butter; beat until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir together dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture until completely blended. Chill for 30 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with holiday cutters dipped in flour. Using a floured spatula, transfer cookies to ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
• For frosting, combine sugar, butter, vanilla and milk; beat until creamy. Thin with additional milk to desired spreading consistency if necessary. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Spread frosting over cookies and decorate with colored sugar. Yield: 7 dozen (2-1/2-in. cookies).