Classic Shortbread Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing

Hi there, food lover! 👋

Ready to bring a timeless classic into your kitchen? Today, we’re celebrating a recipe that has charmed families for generations: Classic Shortbread Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing. 🍪✨

There’s something truly heartwarming about the aroma of buttery cookies baking in the oven—soft golden edges, tender crumb, and that unmistakable traditional flavor that instantly feels like home. Whether it’s the holidays, a special family moment, or simply a cozy afternoon craving, these cookies carry a nostalgic touch that never fades.

Shortbread sugar cookies are the perfect blend of simplicity and tradition. They use just a handful of ingredients—flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla—but the result is undeniably magical. Loved by grandmothers, children, and bakers of all levels, this classic recipe continues to be passed down through generations because it’s reliable, delicious, and delightfully versatile.

And what better way to finish them than with a smooth, easy icing? Whether you drizzle, dip, or decorate, this icing brings sweetness, charm, and a pop of color that turns a simple cookie into a tiny work of art.

So if you’re ready to bake something comforting, beautiful, and downright irresistible, let’s get started with this traditional, crowd-pleasing treat. 🍪💛

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Ingredients

For the Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Easy Icing

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: food coloring, sprinkles

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Step-by-Step Directions

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
   In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, soft, and fluffy. This step helps create the tender texture shortbread cookies are known for.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla
   Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until everything is smooth and well incorporated.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low until a soft dough forms.
4. Chill the Dough
   Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and bake evenly.
5. Roll and Cut
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes—classic circles, stars, hearts, or festive designs.
6. Bake the Cookies
   Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 8–10 minutes. The edges should be just slightly golden while the centers stay pale. This keeps them soft and buttery.
7. Cool Before Icing
   Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. Warm cookies will melt the icing.
8. Mix the Easy Icing
   In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tbsp milk. Add more milk as needed, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency—thicker for piping, thinner for dipping. Add food coloring if you wish.
9. Decorate and Enjoy
   Dip, drizzle, pipe, or spread icing on your cookies. Add sprinkles quickly before it sets. Let the icing harden for 20–30 minutes.

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Nutritional Information

⏰ Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling) | 🔥 Baking Time: 10 minutes | ⏳ Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
⚡ Calories per serving: ~140 | 🍽️ Servings: 24 cookies

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Bon appétit and happy cooking! 👩🍳🍽️