Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies Recipe with a Sparkle

Sweet moments sparkle with these delightful sugar star cookies that blend classic holiday cheer with pure baking magic.

Delicate and crisp, these festive treats shine with a simple elegance that captures winter’s warmth.

Soft vanilla notes dance through each buttery bite, creating memories that linger long after the last crumb disappears.

Powdered sugar dusts these stars like fresh snowfall, bringing a touch of whimsy to every plate.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this straightforward recipe with ease.

The gentle sweetness and tender texture make these cookies a perfect companion to hot cocoa or a quiet evening by the fire.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let the star-shaped magic begin.

How To Bake Sugar Star Cookies Without Stress

• Sugar Star Foundation

Blend dry ingredients in a bowl, creating a soft, powdery mixture that will become the core of your delightful cookies. This initial step sets the stage for a magical baking adventure.

• Creamy Butter Bliss

Whip butter and sugar into a cloud-like texture, transforming ordinary ingredients into a luxurious base. Gently fold in the egg and aromatic extracts, letting each element dance together harmoniously.

• Dough Creation

Slowly incorporate the dry mix into the buttery blend, stirring with care until a smooth, tender dough emerges. Handle the mixture gently, coaxing it into a perfect consistency that promises melt-in-your-mouth sugar stars.

Fun Tips To Change Up Sugar Star Cookies

• Soft Texture Secret: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly shaped stars with crisp edges.
• Flavor Boost: Swap vanilla extract with orange or lemon zest for a bright, citrusy twist that elevates the cookie's traditional taste profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, adding 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain cookie structure.
• Decorating Magic: After baking, dust cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with white chocolate for an elegant, festive look that transforms simple stars into showstopping treats.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Cookie dough can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, or frozen for up to 2 months, making holiday baking stress-free and flexible.

Easy Ways To Serve Sugar Star Cookies Anytime

• Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange these sugar stars on a decorative holiday plate, surrounded by peppermint sticks and sprinkled with powdered sugar for a magical winter display.
• Sweet Party Presentation: Create a cookie tower by stacking the stars at slight angles, dusted with colorful sprinkles or edible glitter to make them pop at birthday parties or celebrations.
• Tea Time Elegance: Serve these delicate cookies alongside a warm cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, perfect for afternoon gatherings with friends or as a light dessert after a cozy meal.
• Gifting Delight: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, or holiday hosts.

Store Sugar Star Cookies So They Stay Fresh

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store mixed cookie dough in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking, ensuring maximum freshness and convenient preparation.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months, allowing quick cookie production whenever craving strikes.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep baked cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Place a slice of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent potential dryness.
• Make-Ahead Wisdom: Prepare cookie dough in advance and portion into small balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before baking to enhance flavor development and improve texture, creating more structured and delightful cookies.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 151 kcal

Servings: 23

What Goes Into Sugar Star Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture with its gluten-forming proteins.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture; choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, crisp exterior when baked.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile; use pure vanilla for the most authentic taste.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that brings a delicate, nutty undertone to the cookies; use sparingly for a subtle hint of flavor.

Tools You Need To Make Sugar Star Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Great for combining dry ingredients before mixing.
• Whisk: Essential for blending flour, baking powder, and salt evenly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps create light, fluffy butter and sugar mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheet: Provides surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents cookies from sticking.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping down bowl sides and mixing dough.

Sparkling Sugar Star Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet and delicate sugar star cookies bring festive cheer to holiday gatherings. Delightful butter-based treats melt in your mouth with delicate vanilla notes, promising joyful celebrations for all who enjoy them.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 12 tbsps milk or heavy cream
• ¼ tsp vanilla or almond extract
• food coloring (optional)
• sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the delicate sugar star cookies.
2. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar in a spacious bowl until the mixture achieves a pale, voluminous texture with soft, billowy peaks.
3. Flavor Infusion: Blend egg, vanilla, and almond extracts into the creamed mixture, introducing aromatic depths to the developing dough.
4. Dough Formation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture using sweeping motions, ensuring a tender, cohesive dough without overmixing.
5. Chilling and Shaping: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm up, then roll out on a lightly floured surface to an even thickness, ready for cutting into star-shaped delights.
6. Baking: Position the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then slide into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a gentle golden brown, signaling their perfect, crisp-yet-tender completion.
7. Cooling and Serving: Transfer the freshly baked sugar star cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely before serving, ensuring maximum flavor and ideal textural balance.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stop mixing as soon as ingredients combine to keep cookies tender and avoid a tough, dense texture.
• Chill for Perfect Shape: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to firm up ingredients, making rolling and cutting easier and maintaining clean star-shaped edges.
• Extract Enhancement: Use high-quality vanilla and almond extracts to elevate the cookie’s delicate flavor profile and create a more sophisticated taste experience.
• Flour Surface Wisely: Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking without making the dough dry or adding excessive flour that could alter the cookie’s texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 151
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 33 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg