Description
These delightful Flower Cookies are classic sugar cookies shaped into charming floral designs, perfect for spring celebrations, parties, and gifting. Soft, buttery, and lightly sweetened, they’re decorated with colorful sugar, sprinkles, or small candies to create eye-catching centers, making baking fun and festive for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Decorations
- Decorative colored sugar, sprinkles, or small candy for centers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms without overworking to keep cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Divide the dough into small portions, about 1 tablespoon each, and roll each into a ball. Flatten slightly, then use a flower-shaped cookie cutter to create flower shapes. If a flower cutter is unavailable, shape by hand or use a round cutter and add candy or sprinkles to simulate a flower center.
- Decorate: Place the shaped cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and decorate the centers with colored sugar, sprinkles, or small candies like mini M&Ms for a festive look.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring a crisp exterior and soft interior.
Notes
- For colorful cookie dough, divide the dough into portions and tint each with food coloring before shaping.
- You can also use a cookie press with a flower disk for consistent flower shapes.
- These cookies are perfect for spring celebrations, parties, or as thoughtful homemade gifts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
