Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies Recipe: Magical Holiday Treats

Sparkling star sugar cookies bring a magical touch to any festive gathering.

Delicate and shimmering, these treats capture the essence of celebration with their whimsical design.

Crystal-like sugar crystals dance across golden edges, creating a mesmerizing visual feast.

Each bite promises a sweet symphony of vanilla and buttery goodness.

Baking these cookies becomes an adventure of culinary creativity.

The kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone closer.

What an incredible moment to create something truly special, you won’t want to miss this delightful recipe!

Sugar Cookies That Sparkle Like Stars with Every Bite

• Whip Up Impressive Party Treats: These star-shaped sugar cookies are perfect for creating magical moments at celebrations.
• Craft Effortless Delights: The simple recipe requires minimal baking skills, making it easy for novice and experienced bakers to successfully create stunning cookies.
• Customize with Sparkle: Add edible gold glitter or sanding sugar for an instant transformation from basic cookies to glamorous, eye-catching desserts that will wow guests at any gathering.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable for multiple occasions like birthdays, holidays, or elegant dinner parties, these cookies serve as both a delectable treat and a beautiful decorative element.

Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies Pantry Musts

• Butter: Rich and creamy base for soft cookie texture.
• Sugar: Sweet ingredient that helps cookies become golden.
• Egg: Binding agent that holds cookie dough together.
• Flour: Primary dry ingredient creating cookie structure.

• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm and sweet aromatic notes.
• Royal Icing: Smooth decorative topping for star cookies.
• Edible Gold Glitter, Sanding Sugar: Sparkling decorative elements for festive look.

Baking Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies for a Dazzling Treat

Step 1: Whip Up the Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, creamy dream. Introduce an egg and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes silky smooth and irresistible.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

In a separate bowl, dance a whisk through flour, baking powder, and salt, creating a harmonious dry blend. Slowly incorporate this powdery mixture into the wet ingredients, gently folding until a perfect cookie dough emerges.

Step 3: Chill and Rest the Dough

Lovingly wrap the dough in plastic wrap, tucking it into the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour. This resting period allows the flavors to mingle and the dough to firm up.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Dust your work surface with a light coating of flour. Roll out the chilled dough to a delicate 1/4 inch thickness. Summon your star-shaped cookie cutter and create magical star shapes, transferring them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch for those perfect golden edges that signal cookie success. Transfer the stars to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely.

Step 6: Add Sparkling Finishing Touches

• Royal icing
• Edible gold glitter
• Sanding sugar

Apply royal icing with a gentle hand. While the icing glistens, sprinkle with gold glitter or sanding sugar. Allow the decorations to set completely before serving or packaging these celestial treats.

Cookie Tips That Add Sparkle to Holiday Stars

• Chill for Crisp Edges: Refrigerate dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain sharp star shapes during baking.
• Flour Your Surface: Dust work surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticky dough and ensure smooth cookie cutting.
• Watch Baking Time: Check cookies at 8 minutes, as ovens vary; golden edges indicate perfectly baked sugar cookies without burning.
• Glitter Application Trick: Sprinkle edible glitter immediately after applying royal icing while still wet for maximum sparkle and even coverage.
• Storage Success: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between parchment layers to preserve crisp texture and prevent sticking.

Store Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies with Care

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their original crisp texture. Avoid microwave, as it can make cookies soggy.
• Place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 3 days for optimal taste and texture.

Star Sugar Cookies Festive Sides

• Elegant Champagne Pairing: Select a crisp, dry champagne with delicate bubbles to complement the sweet sugar cookies, creating a luxurious dessert experience that balances the cookie's sugary notes.
• Sparkling Wine Accompaniment: Choose a light prosecco or cava to enhance the star-shaped cookies' festive appearance, offering a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery texture.
• Dessert Wine Match: Opt for a moscato d'asti with its subtle sweetness and low alcohol content, perfectly aligning with the cookie's delicate flavor profile and golden glitter decoration.
• Holiday Tea Selection: Brew a mild Earl Grey or vanilla-infused black tea to provide a smooth, aromatic backdrop that highlights the cookie's subtle vanilla undertones and delicate star shape.

Sparkling Star Cookie Treat Variants

• Gluten-Free Stars: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Sparkle Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select vegan-friendly powdered sugar for decorating.
• Low-Sugar Version: Use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit in place of sugar, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining cookie's delightful flavor.
• Chocolate Lover's Edition: Add cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and swap vanilla extract with almond extract for a rich, decadent star-shaped cookie experience.

FAQs

• Why should I chill the cookie dough before rolling?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking, makes the dough easier to handle, and allows flour to absorb moisture, resulting in more precise star-shaped cookies with crisp edges.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator. This makes party prep much easier and more convenient.

• What type of flour works best for these sugar cookies?

All-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe. It provides the right structure and texture for crisp, delicate star-shaped cookies that hold their shape during baking.

• How do I prevent my cookies from breaking when transferring them?

Use a thin, offset spatula to gently lift cookies from the work surface. Always ensure the dough is well-chilled and use a floured surface to minimize sticking and potential breakage.

Sparkling Star Sugar Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sparkling star sugar cookies shimmer with festive magic, promising delightful sweetness in every bite. Holiday bakers can delight in these simple, elegant treats that bring joy and sparkle to any celebration.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flavor and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Decorative Ingredients:

• Royal icing
• Edible gold glitter
• Gold sanding sugar

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Instructions

1. Whip softened butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with subtle peaks.
2. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the blend achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
3. In a separate vessel, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt using a whisk to eliminate potential lumps.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, gently mixing until a cohesive dough emerges.
5. Encase the dough in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
8. Press star-shaped cookie cutters into the dough, carefully transferring each delicate shape onto the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
10. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before decoration.
11. Apply royal icing generously across each star-shaped cookie’s surface.
12. While icing remains wet, delicately sprinkle edible gold glitter or sanding sugar to create a sparkling effect.
13. Allow icing to set completely before serving or packaging the festive treats.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp star shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even mixing and better cookie texture.
• Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticky dough from sticking and breaking delicate star cutouts.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain cookie structure.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg