Sugar cookies are a magical part of the Christmas season. They come in such a wide array of shapes, from stars to stockings, and of course, Santa himself. They are the perfect palate for icing, glittery toppings, sprinkles and of course your own decadent designs. Sugar cookies are a fun way to express your creativity, engage your kids, and get into the Christmas spirit!   

Santa.com is excited to share this recipe for sugar cookies straight from the private kitchen of Megan Faulkner Brown, founder of The Sweet Tooth Fairy Gourmet Bake Shop.  These classic sugar cookies will soon become one of your new favorites, anytime of year! 

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 

• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening

• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs, slightly beaten

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoon baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to a temperature of 350 F°. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 

2. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup unsalted butter, softened  and 1/2 cup vegetable shortening

3. Mix on medium speed until creamy and smooth—about 1 minute.

4. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. 

5. Add 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

6. Cream ingredients together on medium speed until light and fluffy--about 2 to 3 minutes. 

7. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

8. Add 4 large eggs, slightly beaten, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

9. Mix ingredients together on low speed until they are evenly mixed.

10. Increase mixer speed to medium and mix until light and fluffy--about 2 - 3 minutes 

11. In a separate large bowl, add 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoon baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 cup cornstarch

12. Whisk dry ingredients together until well combined and gradually pour into the wet mixture—adding a little bit at a time. 

13. Mix on low speed until everything is completely blended together.  

14. Sprinkle the surface of your counter with flour. 

15. Remove dough from bowl and using a rolling pin, roll dough out to about 1/2” thick disc (or thinner/thicker to your preference.)  

16. Use a cookie cutter, cut out shapes. Using a spatula, transfer the dough shapes to the prepared baking sheet. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all the dough is used.

17. Ideally, chill the dough shapes for 30 minutes--if you have the time and/or patience to do so. If not, that is just fine.

18. Place dough shapes on prepared baking sheet--leaving space between the dough balls to allow for some spreading.

19. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges and almost set.

20. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 4 cups powdered sugar 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (or more depending upon consistency preference) food coloring, if desired

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2. Beat until creamy and smooth--about 1 minute. Add 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt

3. Mix on slow speed until well combined. 

4. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. 

5. Add 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

6. Mix on slow speed until well combined. 

7. Add 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (or more depending upon consistency preference) and food coloring, if desired

8. Mix on low speed until everything is completely blended together. 

9. Increase mixer speed to medium and whip until light and fluffy--about 3 minutes. 

   1. If you find that you would like the consistency a little thinner, this is where you should feel free to add more milk one tablespoon at a time.  

10. With an icing spatula, spread frosting on cooled cookies. Or fill pastry bag with frosting and pipe onto cookies.  Decorate with sprinkles and other fun embellishments. 

11. Store cookies in an airtight container/bag in between layers of parchment paper at room temperature for a few days or in the freezer for a few weeks

Check out all the sweet things you can order online from The Sweet Tooth Fairy as gifts, or for yourself.  And, if you’re in the Salt Lake City area, there are four locations where you can treat yourself in person!