American Star Sugar Cookies (Printer-Friendly Version)

Buttery sugar cookies with vanilla, almond, and colorful star sprinkles—perfect for festive celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

→ Icing

09 - 2 cups powdered sugar
10 - 3 tablespoons whole milk
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
13 - Red, white and blue star-shaped sprinkles

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
02 - Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully blended. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts until uniform.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
05 - Shape the dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading during baking.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into star shapes and place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
07 - Bake stars for 8-10 minutes until edges turn light golden. Remove and cool completely on wire racks before icing.
08 - Combine powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and corn syrup in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
09 - Spread icing evenly over cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with red, white, and blue star-shaped sprinkles. Allow icing to set before serving.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Use softened butter that is cool to the touch to maintain dough structure and reduce spreading.
02 - Chilling dough for at least one hour aids in retaining precise star shapes while baking.
03 - If icing thickens during decoration, add a small amount of milk or corn syrup to restore consistency.
04 - Store iced cookies in airtight containers with parchment sheets between layers to preserve freshness.