Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
Sugar Cookies:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose or gluten-free flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch chunks
- 4 colors gel food coloring (e.g., blue, red, green, pink)
- 1 red edible ink marker or red writing/royal icing
Instructions
Instructions:
- Prep Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, beat the egg. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Process Butter & Sugar: Using a food processor, blend cold butter and granulated sugar for about 30 seconds until combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg mixture for 30 seconds.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Process until flour is fully combined and the dough forms, about 30 seconds.
- Divide & Color: Split dough into 4 parts. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each part, kneading until the color is evenly distributed.
- Roll & Chill: Roll each dough ball between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/8″ thick. Keep parchment on both sides and refrigerate for 1½ hours (or freeze for 30 minutes).
- Cut Shapes: Remove one sheet of dough from the fridge. Peel off the top parchment layer and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Use a thin spatula to transfer hearts onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Bake: Bake at 300°F for 12-16 minutes, until cookies are evenly colored on top but not browned. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cookies are completely cool, use an edible ink marker or icing to write cute sayings like “BFF,” “HUG,” or “LOVE” on each cookie.