Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies: A Tried-and-True Recipe for Perfection

There’s something magical about a sugar cookie. Its simple sweetness, the satisfying snap, and the endless possibilities for decoration make it a timeless classic. But not all sugar cookies are created equal. This recipe, dubbed “Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies,” has consistently won accolades and hearts for its perfect texture, subtle flavor, and ability to hold intricate shapes. Forget crumbly, bland, or overly sweet cookies – this recipe delivers a truly exceptional treat that’s worthy of any celebration or simple afternoon indulgence.

This isn’t just another sugar cookie recipe; it’s a carefully crafted formula that prioritizes quality ingredients and precise techniques. We’ll walk you through each step, from creaming the butter and sugar to achieving the perfect bake, ensuring your cookies turn out flawlessly every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is designed to be accessible and rewarding.

Why This Recipe Works

Several factors contribute to the superiority of these Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies:

• The Right Ratio of Ingredients: The balance between butter, sugar, flour, and eggs is crucial. Too much butter results in flat, greasy cookies, while too much flour makes them dry and crumbly. This recipe uses the optimal proportions for a tender yet sturdy cookie.
• Creaming Technique: Properly creaming the butter and sugar is essential for incorporating air into the dough, which creates a light and airy texture. We’ll guide you through the correct method to achieve this.
• Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough is non-negotiable. It allows the gluten to relax, preventing the cookies from shrinking or spreading excessively during baking. It also makes the dough easier to handle.
• Precise Baking Time: Overbaking is the enemy of a good sugar cookie. We’ll show you how to recognize the signs of a perfectly baked cookie – golden edges and a set center.
• Quality Ingredients: Using high-quality butter and vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the flavor of the cookies. Opt for unsalted butter and pure vanilla extract for the best results.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Equipment You’ll Need

• Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sifter or whisk
• Plastic wrap
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (various shapes)
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Wire cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies:

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the dough, which will result in a tender cookie. Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly combined.

Pro Tip: The butter should be soft enough to easily indent with your finger, but not melted. If the butter is too cold, it won’t cream properly, and if it’s too melted, the cookies will spread too much.

Step 2: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture may look slightly curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will come together when you add the dry ingredients.

Pro Tip: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. This will help them incorporate more easily into the batter.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is essential for proper leavening and flavor.

Pro Tip: Sifting the flour can help remove any lumps and create a lighter, more tender cookie. If you don’t have a sifter, you can simply whisk the flour vigorously.

Step 4: Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.

Pro Tip: Add the dry ingredients in three additions, mixing after each addition. This will prevent the flour from flying everywhere and ensure that it’s evenly incorporated into the dough.

Step 5: Divide and Chill the Dough

Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax, which prevents the cookies from shrinking or spreading excessively during baking. It also makes the dough easier to handle.

Pro Tip: For even easier handling, you can chill the dough for up to 3 days. Just make sure to keep it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.

Step 6: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets and make cleanup easier.

Pro Tip: Using parchment paper or silicone baking mats also helps the cookies bake more evenly.

Step 7: Roll Out the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Re-roll scraps as needed. Try to minimize re-rolling as it can make the dough tougher. Roll from the center outwards, turning the dough occasionally to ensure even thickness.

Pro Tip: If the dough is sticking to the rolling pin or the surface, lightly dust with more flour. You can also place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out that way.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on the cookies, as they can burn easily.

Pro Tip: The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies. Start checking the cookies at 8 minutes and adjust the baking time as needed.

Step 9: Cool the Cookies

Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This will prevent them from breaking.

Pro Tip: If you’re decorating the cookies with royal icing, make sure they are completely cool before you start icing them.

Step 10: Decorate (Optional)

Once the cookies are completely cool, you can decorate them with royal icing, sprinkles, or any other decorations you like. Get creative and have fun!

Tips for Success

• Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements: This is especially important for the flour, as too much or too little can affect the texture of the cookies.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
• Chill the dough thoroughly: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading excessively during baking.
• Bake the cookies on the middle rack of the oven: This will ensure that they bake evenly.
• Let the cookies cool completely before decorating: This will prevent the icing from melting or running.

Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, you can experiment with different variations:

• Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dough.
• Almond Sugar Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon of almond extract to the dough.
• Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Add ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
• Spice Sugar Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves to the dry ingredients.
• Add Sprinkles: Before baking, brush the tops of the cookies with a little milk or egg wash and sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.

Royal Icing Recipe

Here’s a basic recipe for royal icing, perfect for decorating your Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• ½ cup warm water
• Food coloring (gel or liquid), as desired

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder.
2. Add the warm water and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined.
3. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 5-7 minutes, or until the icing is stiff and glossy.
4. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring to each bowl, as desired.
5. Thin the icing with a little water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
6. Transfer the icing to piping bags or squeeze bottles and decorate your cookies.

Storage Instructions

Store the baked and decorated Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw them completely before decorating.

Troubleshooting

• Cookies are spreading too much: Make sure the butter is not too soft, and that the dough is properly chilled. You can also try adding a little more flour to the dough.
• Cookies are too dry: Make sure you’re not overbaking them. Also, make sure you’re using the correct amount of butter and sugar.
• Cookies are tough: Avoid overmixing the dough.
• Icing is too thick: Add a little water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Icing is too thin: Add a little powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Enjoy Your Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies!

With this recipe and these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating truly exceptional Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies that will impress your friends and family. Enjoy the process, get creative with your decorations, and savor the sweet taste of success!

These cookies are perfect for:

• Holidays (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc.)
• Birthday parties
• Baby showers
• Wedding showers
• Any special occasion!

They also make a wonderful homemade gift. Package them in a pretty box or tin for a thoughtful and delicious present.

Scaling the Recipe

Need to make a larger batch of cookies? This recipe can easily be scaled up. Simply double or triple the ingredients as needed. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the baking time slightly, depending on the size of your cookies.

Gluten-Free Option

To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum, as this will help to bind the ingredients together and prevent the cookies from being crumbly.

Vegan Option

To make these cookies vegan, substitute the butter with a vegan butter substitute, the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and use a vegan-friendly powdered sugar for the royal icing.

Conclusion

These Blue Ribbon Sugar Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re a tradition, a symbol of celebration, and a testament to the power of simple ingredients. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just for a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to bring joy to everyone who tastes them. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create some edible masterpieces. Happy baking!