Description
Delight in these classic buttery Star Cookies, perfect for any festive occasion or everyday treat. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla, these cookies feature a tender crumb and crisp edges baked to golden perfection in the oven. Their charming star shape makes them especially fun to decorate and serve at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 tbsp milk (if the dough is too stiff)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to combine all the dry ingredients evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a hand mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, which creates the perfect base for the cookie dough.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until fully incorporated, ensuring an even flavor throughout.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. If the dough feels too stiff to work with, add 1 tablespoon of milk to soften it slightly.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour until firm, which makes it easier to roll out and shape.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Tray: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness, ensuring even thickness for uniform baking.
- Cut Star Shapes: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies from the dough. Place each cut cookie onto the prepared baking sheet with about 1 inch spacing to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn slightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid sogginess.
- Decorate (Optional): Once fully cooled, decorate the star cookies with icing, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar to add a festive touch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy these delightful buttery star cookies fresh as a sweet treat for any occasion.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- If you don’t have a star-shaped cutter, you can use any cookie cutter shape you prefer or cut shapes freehand.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract in place of some vanilla.
- If decorating with icing, allow the cookies to cool completely to prevent melting.
