Iced Cookies are a timeless treat that bridge the comfort of soft sugar cookies with the joy of a sweet glaze. This mid-20th-century handwritten recipe reflects a simpler time, relying on basic pantry staples to create a soft, tender cookie that’s delicately sweet and perfect for decorating or serving plain. Whether enjoyed at tea time, a family gathering, or during the holidays, these cookies are versatile, lightly crisp on the edges, and melt-in-your-mouth in the center. The addition of vanilla and a tender butter-based dough gives them a classic flavor that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
- 2½½ cups cake flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Step 1: Sift Dry Ingredients
- Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
- Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Form dough into a ball or disk, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
Step 5: Shape Cookies
- Roll dough into ¾-inch balls and flatten slightly or shape with cookie cutters.
Step 6: Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes, or until edges are just golden.
Step 7: Cool and Ice (Optional)
- Let cookies cool on a rack. Ice with a simple glaze of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla if desired.
Tips
- Roll thicker (¼ inch) for a soft cookie; thinner for crisp edges.
- Add lemon or almond extract along with the vanilla for flavor variety.
- Sprinkle with sanding sugar before baking for sparkle.
- Frost with simple powdered-sugar icing once cooled (“iced cookies”).
- Add citrus zest to the dough for brightness.
- Substitute part of the flour with finely ground nuts for richer flavor.
- Chill dough longer for easier rolling and cleaner cut shapes.
- Use cake flour as written, the recipe depends on it for tenderness.
- Decorate with colored icings for holidays or celebrations.
Nutrition
Calories: 1.5kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 3.7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 18mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6.5gVitamin A: 180IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.5mg
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