Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (pink, white, or your choice)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened butter and white sugar together in a large bowl using a mixer until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). This step is key to achieving the right texture.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and baking powder) to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
2. Shape and Bake:
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures a crisp yet tender cookie.
- Use animal-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the dough into fun shapes (elephants, giraffes, lions, etc.).
- Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just start to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Prepare the Frosting:
- While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Tip: Add the milk gradually to avoid making the frosting too runny.
- Divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to each (e.g., pink and white) to create a colorful assortment for decorating.
4. Decorate the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are fully cooled, use a spatula or knife to frost them with your colored frosting.
- Sprinkle with colorful sprinkles while the frosting is still wet to ensure they stick. Let your creativity shine by mixing colors or creating patterns.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use high-quality butter and pure vanilla extract. The richness of these ingredients really makes a difference in the taste.
- The dough is best when rolled out to a consistent thickness. Too thin, and the cookies will be too crisp; too thick, and they may lose their signature crunch.
- The frosting can be a bit tricky to get the right consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.