Sugar cookie

Sugar Cookie

A sugar cookie is a type of cookie that is characterized by its main ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, and either baking powder or baking soda. Sugar cookies may be formed by hand or rolled and cut into shapes. They are commonly decorated with additional sugar, icing, sprinkles, or a combination of these.

History

The sugar cookie is believed to have originated in the mid 1700s in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. German Protestant settlers created a round, crumbly and buttery cookie that came to be known as the Nazareth Cookie. Today, the sugar cookie is a popular choice in the United States, especially during holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine's Day.

Ingredients and Preparation

The primary ingredients in sugar cookies are sugar, flour, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Some recipes may also include baking powder or baking soda to help the cookies rise.

To prepare sugar cookies, the butter and sugar are typically creamed together until light and fluffy. Eggs and vanilla extract are then added, followed by the dry ingredients. The dough is then rolled out and cut into shapes using a cookie cutter. The cookies are then baked until golden brown.

Variations

There are many variations of the sugar cookie. Some recipes may include additional ingredients such as almond extract, nutmeg, or cinnamon. Others may be decorated with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar.

In the United States, there is a variation known as the Snickerdoodle, which is a sugar cookie rolled in cinnamon sugar. In the UK, a similar cookie is known as the Shortbread cookie, which is a simple butter cookie.

See Also

• Cookie
• Baking
• Dessert