Imagine biting into a cookie that transports you to a whimsical night sky, where stars and moons dance with delightful sweetness! These Star and Moon Decorated Cookies are not just a dessert – they're an edible work of art that will enchant both kids and adults alike. With a perfect balance of buttery softness and playful decorations, these cookies are about to become the showstopper at your next gathering, bake sale, or family dessert night.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Decorating icing
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and white sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough; it should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- For the star and moon decorations, you can use cookie cutters to create shapes from the dough. Alternatively, you can gently flatten each dough ball with your palm and use a small knife to cut out star and moon shapes directly on the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked; they will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cookies have cooled, it's time to decorate! Use the decorating icing to outline and fill in the star and moon shapes. You can create different designs and patterns as desired.
- Finally, add sprinkles on top of the icing while it's still wet to ensure they stick. Allow the decorated cookies to sit for a few minutes to let the icing set.
- Store your Star and Moon Decorated Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Enjoy your delicious creations!
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted. Room temperature butter creates the perfect cookie texture.
- Don't Overmix: When combining dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill Your Dough: For cleaner star and moon shapes, consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before cutting out shapes.
- Icing Technique: Use a piping bag or squeeze bottle for more precise and professional-looking decorations.
- Sprinkle Timing: Add sprinkles immediately after applying icing to ensure they stick perfectly.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
- Get Creative: Experiment with different icing colors and sprinkle varieties to make each batch unique!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
