Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

(130)
med102552_1206_cinn_sugar_cookie.jpg
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Yield:
32

Stash the dough for these cookie-cutter favorites in the freezer, then bake them off and sparkle them up for everyone on your gift list.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • Decorating sugar and candies, such as nonpareils and red cinnamon dots (optional)

  • Confectioners sugar, for decorating (optional)

Directions

  1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined. Divide dough in half; form into two 3/4-inch-thick disks. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

  2. Roll out and freeze: Place one disk between two sheets of floured parchment paper; roll out to an 1/8-inch thickness, lightly dusting dough with flour as needed. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters; if dough gets soft, chill 10 minutes. (To bake right away, follow directions in step 3.) Using a metal spatula with a thin blade, transfer cut-out shapes to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Re-roll scraps; cut more shapes. Repeat with remaining disk. Place baking sheet in freezer; once frozen, transfer shapes to a resealable plastic bag. Freeze up to 1 month.

  3. Bake: Preheat oven to 325. Line baking sheets with parchment; bake, decorating if desired (see note, below), until edges are golden, 10 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through-this time range applies whether dough is frozen or not. Cool cookies 1 minute on sheets, and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Cook's Notes

Decorating tips: Sprinkle sugar on cut-out dough just before baking. Stick candies onto cookies after they are baked and cooled, using dabs of sugar paste (1/2 cup confectioners' sugar whisked together with 1 teaspoon water).

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