Sweet Pastries by Bubbe: Homemade Sugar Cookies
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Hey there, folks! I got the lowdown on Bayla Scher's popular cutout cookie recipe from her amazing "Feed Me Bubbe" collection. This recipe is perfect for those holiday cookie exchanges or whenever you've got the festive spirit!
Game plan: You can even bake these cookies plain and decorate them with tubed frosting purchased from your local supermarket's baking aisle.
- Yield: Depends on the size of your cookie cutters
- Difficulty: A piece of cake (pun intended)!
- Total Time: Approx. 40 mins
- Active Time: Approx. 40 mins
Ingredients (8):
- 8 tablespoons pareve margarine (1 stick), softened to room temp
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus some for sprinkling
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 egg white, lightened with a beat
- Candy sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F and position the rack in the center. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper, setting it aside for later. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the margarine, eggs, and sugar together on medium speed, aiming for a creamy consistency.
- Gradually sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into the margarine mixture. Continue beating until thoroughly combined. (The dough should be firm enough for rolling out.)
- Divide the dough into three equal parts, forming flat disks with two of them. Wrap these disks in plastic and store them in the fridge while working with the first disk.
- Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the first disk to a thickness of 1/4 - 1/8 inch (if the dough is unworkable, place it in the fridge for an hour). Cut out cookies using floured cookie cutters, and arrange them neatly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush cookies with the lightly beaten egg white, and sprinkle with sugar and candy sprinkles. Bake until the edges are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the baking sheet and transfer them to a rack to cool. Store in an airtight container, placing parchment or waxed paper between layers if desired.
Trivia:
Did you know that cut-out cookies were a popular tradition during the Victorian era in England and the United States? People would use intricate cutters to make decorative cookies for special holidays and events.
Fun Fact:
If you're looking for a more traditional sugar cookie recipe, consider replacing pareve margarine with unsalted butter and adding 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the dough!
- For a variation in Bayla Scher's popular cutout cookie recipe, you could replace pareve margarine with unsalted butter and add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the dough for a more traditional sugar cookie flavor.
- As you sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into the margarine mixture, ensure that you maintain a creamy consistency to achieve the perfect thickness for rolling out the dough.
- To enhance the nutrition of your cutout cookies, consider swapping out candy sprinkles with healthier options like nuts or dried fruits for a nutritious twist.
