Description
Celebrate your favorite patriotic holidays with these delightful Patriotic Sugar Cookies. Soft, buttery cookies cut into festive star and flag shapes, topped with creamy homemade cream cheese frosting and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for family gatherings, parties, or simply showing off your red, white, and blue spirit!
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (227g) margarine, softened
- 1 large (50g) egg
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) vanilla extract
- 3 cups (384g) all-purpose flour, unbleached
- ½ teaspoon (2g) baking powder
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz (227g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons (15ml) milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is fully heated before baking the cookies.
- Cream Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together softened margarine, egg, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture appears light and fluffy, incorporating air to help cookies rise and become soft.
- Add Baking Powder: Stir the baking powder into the creamed mixture until evenly combined. This step is essential for giving the cookies their lift and light texture.
- Incorporate Flour: Add the all-purpose flour to the mixture one cup at a time. Stir thoroughly after each addition to incorporate the flour completely and prevent clumps, resulting in a smooth dough.
- Roll Dough: Place the cookie dough on a lightly floured countertop. Roll it out evenly to about ¼ inch (6mm) thickness to ensure uniform baking.
- Cut Shapes: Use star or flag cookie cutters to cut shapes from the rolled dough. This step allows for creative designs suitable for patriotic celebrations.
- Arrange Cookies: Arrange the cut-out cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them sufficiently apart to allow for slight spreading without merging.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Monitor closely and remove the cookies when their edges turn a very light golden brown and cookies feel firm to the touch.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies bake, blend the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar using a hand mixer. Start on low speed to avoid splattering and mix until smooth.
- Add Flavor and Milk: Add the vanilla extract and milk to the frosting mixture. Mix until you achieve a spreadable and smooth consistency.
- Frost Cookies: After the cookies have cooled completely, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top. Finish by sprinkling with colored sanding sugar or festive sprinkles to add a decorative crunch.
Notes
- Ensure margarine and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- Do not grease the baking sheet; the cookie dough contains enough fat to prevent sticking.
- For best results, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling if it’s too soft to handle.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can customize the decorations with any red, white, and blue sprinkles to suit the occasion.
