Why Make This Recipe
Bone-shaped sugar cookies are not just cute; they are fun to make and perfect for many occasions. Whether you have a pet-themed party, a Halloween gathering, or just want to bring smiles to your friends and family, these cookies are sure to impress. They are easy to bake, and you can get creative with decorating them. Plus, who doesn't love a sweet treat?
How to Make Bone-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Making bone-shaped sugar cookies is simple, and you can do it, even if you don't have much experience in the kitchen. Let's walk through the steps together.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon juice (optional)
- Food coloring (white, black, gray for bone details)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon meringue powder
Directions
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Mix Dry Ingredients: Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set this bowl aside for now.
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Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
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Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined.
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Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually mix in your dry ingredients. Keep mixing until you have a smooth cookie dough.
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Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape.
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Preheat Oven: When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a bone cookie cutter to cut out your shapes.
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Bake the Cookies: Place your cookie shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to brown.
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Cool the Cookies: Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
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Make the Icing: For the icing, whisk the powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk (and the optional vanilla or lemon juice) until it reaches a pourable consistency. If you want to add color, divide the icing into bowls and mix in food coloring.
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Decorate the Cookies: Use piping bags or a spoon to decorate your cookies with the icing. Let the icing set before serving.
How to Serve Bone-Shaped Sugar Cookies
These cookies are perfect for parties, or you can simply serve them as a sweet treat at home. Arrange them on a nice plate and let everyone enjoy. They also make great gifts, especially if you package them in a cute bag or box.
How to Store Bone-Shaped Sugar Cookies
To keep your bone-shaped sugar cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay good for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure they are completely cooled before you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer bag.
Tips to Make Bone-Shaped Sugar Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened. This helps create a smooth dough.
- Try not to over-bake the cookies. They should be just starting to brown at the edges.
- If your dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until it is manageable.
- You can use different cookie cutters for various occasions-get creative!
Variation
You can change the flavor of your sugar cookies by adding lemon zest or almond extract in place of vanilla. For a chocolate twist, replace some of the flour with cocoa powder.
FAQs
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: Yes, you can use margarine, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different.
Q: How thick should I roll the dough?
A: Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness for the best results.
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Just wrap it tightly and thaw it out in the fridge when you are ready to bake.
Conclusion
Bone-shaped sugar cookies are not only easy to make, but they are also fun for any occasion. With just a few ingredients and some creativity, you can bake delicious cookies that everyone will love. Enjoy the process, and happy baking!
Bone-Shaped Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure it's room temperature.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water Adjust for desired consistency.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon juice (optional) For additional flavor.
- Food coloring (white, black, gray for bone details) As needed.
- 0.5 teaspoon meringue powder (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a smooth cookie dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use a bone cookie cutter to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until edges start to brown.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Icing
- For the icing, whisk the powdered sugar with milk (and optional vanilla or lemon juice) until pourable.
- Divide the icing into bowls and mix in food coloring as desired.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with the icing and let it set before serving.
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