American Star Sugar Cookies
55 min
|
intermediate
|
vegetarian
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 45 min | 10 min | 55 min |
Introduction
These American star sugar cookies bake up soft in the center with lightly crisp, buttery edges that everyone loves.
A simple vanilla and almond dough makes them extra fragrant, while the quick, glossy icing gives them that bakery-style finish.
Top them with red, white, and blue star sprinkles for a fun, festive treat that’s perfect for Fourth of July or Memorial Day.
Ingredients (24 servings)
Ingredients for the Cookies:
Ingredients for the Icing:
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How to Make American Star Sugar Cookies
-
Preheat and prepare pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F with racks in the upper and lower thirds.
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies bake evenly and release easily.
-
Mix the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
-
Cream the butter and sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Scrape down the bowl as needed so everything mixes evenly.
-
Add egg and flavorings
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture looks smooth and slightly thickened.
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Add the dry ingredients
Add the dry ingredient mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined each time.
Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain so the cookies stay tender.
-
Chill the dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions and pat each into a flat disk.
Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
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Roll and cut the cookies
Working with one disk at a time, place it on a lightly floured surface.
Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, turning and lightly flouring as needed to prevent sticking.
Use a star cookie cutter to cut shapes, placing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Gather and reroll the scraps once, handling the dough gently to avoid tough cookies.
-
Bake the cookies
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pans halfway, until the edges look set but not browned.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then move them to wire racks to cool completely.
-
Make the icing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and corn syrup until smooth and glossy.
If the icing seems too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until it is thick but spoonable.
If it seems too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar until it slowly runs off a spoon.
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Decorate and set
Spoon or pipe a thin layer of icing onto each cooled cookie, letting a slight border show if you like.
Immediately shower the tops with red, white, and blue star sprinkles before the icing begins to firm.
Let the decorated cookies sit at room temperature until the icing is fully set and dry to the touch.
Substitutions
- Almond extract -> extra vanilla extract
- If you prefer a nut-free flavor or do not have almond extract, replace it with the same amount of extra vanilla. The cookies will taste like classic bakery sugar cookies with a simpler, mellow vanilla profile.
- Butter -> dairy-free vegan butter sticks
- Use plant-based butter sticks instead of regular butter to make the cookies dairy-free without losing the tender, rich texture. Choose a brand with at least 75% fat so the dough handles and bakes similarly.
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles -> crushed freeze-dried berries and white sanding sugar
- For a fun twist, use crushed freeze-dried strawberries and blueberries plus white sanding sugar instead of sprinkles. You keep the patriotic colors but add a light fruity crunch that tastes bright and slightly tangy.
Tips
- Chill for sharp star shapes
- Chilling the dough firms the butter so the cookies hold their star edges instead of spreading into blobs while baking.
- Roll between parchment for easy handling
- Place the dough between two sheets of parchment and roll it out to avoid extra flour, which can toughen the cookies.
- Use a light touch when rerolling
- Press scraps together gently rather than kneading, because overworked dough develops gluten and makes the second batch less tender.
- Test-bake one cookie first
- Bake a single cookie to check spreading and timing, then adjust thickness or minutes before baking the full trays.
- Aim for pale, not browned edges
- Pull the cookies from the oven when they look set and still pale, since they continue to firm as they cool.
- Adjust icing thickness for your style
- Thicker icing holds a clean outline and slight texture, while a thinner icing gives a smooth, glossy, more glazed look.
- Let icing dry fully before storing
- Wait until the icing feels dry and no longer tacky, then layer cookies between parchment to avoid smudged decorations.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 201 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 2 | g |
| Total Fat | 8 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- Why did my star cookies spread and lose their shape?
- Warm dough is usually the cause, so be sure the dough is well chilled before rolling and cutting. Also check that your butter was just softened, not melted, and avoid overbeating after you add the flour.
- How thick should I roll the dough for the best texture?
- Aim for about 1/4 inch thick for cookies that stay soft inside but still hold a crisp edge. Thinner dough bakes faster and can dry out, while much thicker dough may puff and lose clean points on the stars.
- Can I make the dough or icing ahead of time?
- Yes, you can refrigerate the cookie dough disks for up to two days or freeze them for up to two months. The icing can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, then whisked with a splash of milk to loosen before using.
- How do I keep the cookies soft after baking?
- Do not overbake; pull them as soon as the edges look set but still pale. Once cooled and iced, store them in an airtight container with a small piece of bread or a marshmallow to help maintain moisture.
- What if my icing looks lumpy or grainy?
- Sift the powdered sugar before mixing to prevent lumps, and whisk the icing until completely smooth and glossy. If lumps remain, press the icing through a fine-mesh strainer and whisk again to restore a silky texture.
- Can I freeze the decorated cookies?
- Yes, freeze them in a single layer until solid, then stack with parchment between layers in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature in the closed container so condensation forms on the container, not on the icing.
Serving Suggestions
These festive star cookies bring a sweet, nostalgic touch to cookouts, classroom parties, or Fourth of July dessert tables.
For extra fun, serve them with berries and whipped cream so everyone can build simple red, white, blue sundaes.
Tint part of the icing pale blue and leave part white for a playful flag effect on your cookie platter.
More pairings:
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