Cookie season is upon us: A Sugar Angel’s Sugar Cookies

A special post from one of our Sugar Angels:

Hi everyone! My name is Sara Denton and I am the owner and chief baker at Doughpamine Desserts in Centerville, MA. I have been baking regularly for about 5 years after binge watching every season of The Great British Bake Off on Netflix. I was inspired by their creativity and passion for baking, and after that I jumped right in and was hooked. My first cake was an absolute fail though: I was making a 3 layer pumpkin cake for Thanksgiving and as it was baking, my oven broke! I was completely devastated, but I wouldn’t let that get me down. I ended up using my countertop toaster/convection oven for one layer at a time because I promised a cake for Thanksgiving dessert, and I was going to deliver.

Since then, I’ve become fully immersed in the world of baking. I’ve tackled decorated sugar cookies, cupcakes, birthday cakes, and everything in between. This past February I decided to tackle some bakes I’ve always wanted to try but were too intimidating- like almond croissants, cream puffs, and gourmet cakesicles. I posted them on Facebook each week to give away to family and friends and asked everyone to make a donation if they were able. At the end of February, we had collected about $300 to donate to the Black Lives Matter campaign and the Human Rights Campaign. These efforts are what led me to Icing Smiles. My Mom had seen a story about Icing Smiles on TV one evening, and she called me immediately, “I just heard of the most PERFECT foundation for you!” I applied and anxiously waited for my acceptance for the Massachusetts chapter! I am still waiting for my first CTA, but I hope to be baking soon! I would absolutely love a unicorn theme with a cake and cookie combo. Unicorns are so fun to make and I love being able to use rainbow icing!

Though I consider myself a versatile baker, my absolute favorite things to bake are decorated sugar cookies. The possibilities are endless when it comes to sugar cookies. I wanted to share my go-to recipe with everyone so you can take on the world of cookies. Be prepared though, once you start you’ll never want to stop!

Roll Out Sugar Cookie Recipe:

2 sticks of softened butter

1.5 cups sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

1.5 tsp almond extract*

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

¾ cup corn starch**

4 1/2- 5 cup flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and ready baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats
2. Mix together the flour and corn starch and set aside
3. Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer, cream together to butter and sugar until smooth
4. Add in the eggs, extracts, salt, and baking powder and blend until combined
5. Slowly add in the flour and corn starch mix
6. Mix on low until combined and dough pulls away from bowl. *It should be slightly sticky, but not stick to your finger if pressed in
7. Roll out with rolling pin to desired thickness and cut out with favorite cookie cutters. Put cut out cookies on to cookie sheet
8. This recipe does not need to be chilled, but will spread slightly if dough is not put into freezer or fridge for 15-30 mins
9. Put in oven for 12-15 mins. The cookies should be slightly golden on bottom. The baking time will depend on your oven and how thick you cut the cookies.
10. Cookies can then be decorated with royal icing or buttercream, or eaten plain. They’re delicious however you want to eat them!

*My go-to flavor is almond extract, but you can use any flavor you want! Or just double up on the vanilla.

** If you don’t have corn starch, don’t worry! You can omit this and use an extra cup of flour instead.

So there you have it! You’re well on your way to baking fun!

Thank you to Icing Smiles and all of the Sugar Angels out there. You all are truly baking the world a better and happier place!