Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Room temperature (poke dents) creams maximum volume trapping air lift; European-style yields richer flavor.
1 cup granulated sugar: Superfine dissolves fluffiest; caster sugar subs UK bakers.
2 large eggs, room temperature: Yolks tenderize/bind, whites structure; cold shocks curdles butter.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Pure Mexican rounds sweetness; clear icing-safe white dough.
3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled): 360-390g precise structure; spoon prevents pack/dense cookies.
½ tsp baking powder: Gentle rise prevents flat; aluminum-free avoids metallic.
½ tsp salt: Balances sugar; fine sea salt dissolves even.
Food coloring (optional): Gel 1/4 tsp/color kneads vibrant no-water weaken.
Sprinkles (optional): Nonpareils/sanding embed pre-bake sparkle permanent.
Instructions
Cream butter and sugar: Stand/hand mixer medium-high, beat softened butter + sugar 3-4 minutes pale fluffy—scrape bowl twice volume doubles signals ready.
Add wet ingredients: Beat eggs one-by-one 30 seconds each fully incorporate; add vanilla glossy—dough may curdle briefly normal.
Combine dry ingredients: Whisk flour + baking powder + salt separate bowl even; low speed add half dry, mix until streaks, scrape/add rest until few lumps—overmix toughens.
Divide and color (optional): Halve dough disks; gel coloring 1/8 tsp/color knead plastic wrap marbled—avoid air pockets cracks.
Chill dough: Flatten disks 1-inch thick plastic wrap, fridge 1-2 hours minimum (overnight ideal)—chilled rolls clean 1/4-inch even.
Preheat and prep: 350°F (175°C), line 2 sheets parchment/silpat—cold sheets prevent spread. Flour surface/rolling pin lightly; roll disk 1/4-inch uniform (ruler check), flour top prevents stick.
Cut shapes: Sharp cutters dip flour press full-depth—no twist tears; 2-inch apart re-roll scraps once (third toughens). Embed sprinkles press shapes pre-bake.
Bake: Middle racks 10-12 minutes rotate halfway—edges pale gold, centers set firm (no brown tops). Cool sheet 5 minutes rack complete.
Decorate: Cool fully royal icing floods/outlines, sprinkles wet icing, powdered sugar sifts simple.
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