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There’s something magical about a batch of homemade sugar cookies, but these Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies take things to a whole new level! Perfect for holiday gatherings or as delightful edible gifts, these cookies shine both in flavor and presentation. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of vanilla, each bite is pure holiday bliss. And let’s talk about the sparkle – who can resist a cookie that shimmers with edible gold glitter?
Why You’ll Love These Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies
These cookies are anything but ordinary! Here’s what makes them truly special:
- Eye-catching and festive: The golden glitter gives them an elegant, festive look that stands out on any dessert table.
- Soft and buttery: The dough is rich and delicate, creating cookies that are soft yet hold their shape beautifully.
- Easy to customize: You can adjust the level of sparkle, add flavors to the dough, or even experiment with different icing colors.
- Perfect for gifts: Their stunning appearance makes them a thoughtful and beautiful gift for friends, family, or coworkers.
Taste and Texture
The Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies are buttery, subtly sweet, and delicately crisp on the edges. The soft vanilla flavor pairs beautifully with the rich royal icing, which adds a satisfying texture and a hint of sweetness. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of tender cookie and crunchy sugar – a holiday treat that’s as delicious as it is beautiful!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Royal icing for decorating
- Edible gold glitter or gold sanding sugar for sparkle
Tools You’ll Need
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Mixing bowls
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Star-shaped cookie cutter
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Small brush (optional for decoration)
Possible Additions and Substitutions
- Almond extract: Add a hint of almond extract to the dough for a subtle nutty twist.
- Citrus zest: A little orange or lemon zest can add a fresh, tangy note to the cookies.
- Other shapes: If you don’t have a star-shaped cutter, try other festive shapes – trees, ornaments, or snowflakes would all look amazing with a glittery finish.
How to Make Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies
Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this step ensures the dough holds its shape when baked).
Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes, then place the stars on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Decorate with Royal Icing and Gold Glitter
- Once the cookies are fully cool, apply royal icing over each star’s surface.
- While the icing is still wet, sprinkle with edible gold glitter or gold sanding sugar for that magical, sparkling touch.
- Let the icing set completely before serving or packaging.
Serve or Gift!
These cookies are ready to dazzle! Arrange them on a large platter for a holiday party or package them in clear bags with festive ribbons as thoughtful, edible gifts.
Decorating Tips
- Extra Glitter: For a more textured look, use a small brush to gently apply extra glitter to specific areas.
- Constellation Effect: Vary the sizes of your stars and arrange them on a platter to mimic a beautiful constellation.
- Play with Colors: While gold is classic, try silver or rose gold glitter for a different vibe!
Storage Instructions
Keep these cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If gifting, make sure the icing has set completely to avoid smudging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! Prepare the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 1 month. Let it thaw in the fridge before rolling and cutting.
Can I make these cookies without royal icing?
You can skip the icing and simply brush the cookies with a little egg wash before baking, then sprinkle with gold sugar. They won’t have the same iced look, but they’ll still be tasty and beautiful!
What if I don’t have edible glitter?
Gold sanding sugar is a great alternative! It adds a lovely sparkle without the need for edible glitter.
Wrapping Up the Sparkle!
These Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies are the perfect addition to any holiday celebration. Their combination of rich flavor and glittery elegance is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to share. Give these a try, and let the magic of holiday baking fill your kitchen!
Other Festive Recipes You’ll Love
If you make these cookies, share your creations on Pinterest and tag us! I can’t wait to see your dazzling results. Happy baking! 🎉
Print
Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: Approximately 23 minutes, 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful! These buttery vanilla cookies, topped with royal icing and edible gold glitter, are perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or just adding a little sparkle to your day. Simple to make, they shine on any dessert table and are sure to bring a festive glow to your holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Royal icing, for decorating
- Edible gold glitter or gold sanding sugar, for sparkle
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Roll and Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut star shapes with a cookie cutter and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Decorate: Once cool, apply royal icing to each star. While icing is wet, sprinkle with edible gold glitter or sanding sugar. Let icing set completely before serving or packaging.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: The dough can be made in advance and frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before rolling.
- Customizing Flavors: Add a splash of almond extract or citrus zest to the dough for an extra layer of flavor.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
