Sparkling Sugar Cookie Stars Recipe

Introduction

These Sparkling Sugar Cookie Stars are a delightful treat perfect for any celebration or just a sweet snack. Soft, buttery cookies topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and sparkling sugar make for a festive and delicious dessert everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• Gold pearlized sugar sprinkles (or any sprinkles of your choice)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix well to combine.
2. Step 2: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the butter mixture, stirring until the dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thick and cut into star shapes using a cookie cutter.
4. Step 4: Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges turn golden. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Step 5: Prepare the buttercream frosting by creaming the softened butter with powdered sugar until smooth. Add the milk and vanilla extract, mixing until you reach your preferred consistency.
6. Step 6: Frost the cooled cookies with the buttercream, then decorate with gold pearlized sugar sprinkles or your choice of decorations. Let the frosting set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a citrus twist, add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough or frosting for extra flavor.
• If you prefer a firmer cookie, chill the rolled dough for an additional 15 minutes before baking.
• Use different shaped cookie cutters to create themed cookies for holidays or parties.
• Substitute vanilla extract with almond extract for a nutty variation.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep the frosting fresh and soft, avoid refrigeration. If refrigerated, let cookies come to room temperature before serving. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months and frost after thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days before rolling and cutting. Just be sure to bring it to a slightly softer texture for easier rolling.

What can I use instead of butter for a dairy-free option?

You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, but note that texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Sparkling Sugar Cookie Stars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 703 reviews

These Sparkling Sugar Cookie Stars are festive, buttery cookies perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion. Soft and flavorful sugar cookie dough is baked into charming star shapes, then topped with a smooth vanilla buttercream frosting and shimmering gold sugar sprinkles for an elegant finish. Delightfully sweet and easy to make, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

For the Buttercream Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

For Decoration

• Gold pearlized sugar sprinkles (or any sprinkles of your choice)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: Cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until combined.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients and Chill: Gradually add 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up.
3. Preheat and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate clean-up.
4. Roll and Cut Shapes: Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to your preferred thickness. Using star-shaped cookie cutters, cut out the cookie shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Make the Buttercream Frosting: In a bowl, cream together ½ cup of softened unsalted butter and 2 cups of powdered sugar until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk gradually until the frosting reaches your desired spreadable consistency.
7. Decorate the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the buttercream frosting evenly over each. Sprinkle gold pearlized sugar sprinkles or your choice of decorative sprinkles on top.
8. Set and Serve: Let the frosting set slightly before serving to allow the sprinkle decoration to adhere well and the frosting to firm up.

Notes

• Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and maintain the star shapes during baking.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
• You can substitute vanilla extract with almond or lemon extract for a different flavor twist.
• Adjust the amount of milk in the frosting to achieve the perfect spreading consistency.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• For a gluten-free variant, substitute the all-purpose flour with an equivalent gluten-free flour blend.

Keywords: sugar cookies, star shaped cookies, buttercream frosting, holiday cookies, festive cookies, easy sugar cookies, sparkling sugar cookies