Nice ‘n’ Soft Sugar Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 45 min. + chilling Bake: 5 min./batch + cooling

Makes

about 3 dozen

Updated: Nov. 08, 2023
My family’s all-time favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Little ones have fun making their own icing designs. — Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia
Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups self-rising flour
  • ICING:
  • 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 teaspoons meringue powder
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • Food coloring of choice
  • Colored sugar and sprinkles, optional

Directions

  1. Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 3/16-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set, 5-7 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. Beat confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder on low speed until blended; beat on high until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Add corn syrup; beat 1 minute.
  4. Tint with food coloring as desired. (Always keep unused icing covered with a damp cloth; if necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.) Pipe or spread icing on cookies; decorate as desired. Let dry.
Editor’s Notes: As a substitute for 2-1/2 cups of self-rising flour, place 3-3/4 teaspoons baking powder and 1-1/4 teaspoons salt in a measuring cup. Add all-purpose flour to measure 1 cup; combine with an additional 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour. Meringue powder is available from Wilton Industries. Call 1-800/794-5866 or visit wilton.com.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 138 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.