Festive Funfetti Sugar Cookies

I wanted to make cookies for the July 4^th holiday, but didn’t feel like making my usual cut-out stars and having to make icing for them.  So I decided on these.  I made them a few years ago, and they were easy and delicious!  I have adapted this recipe from several I have read.  Many of them have a split of almond and vanilla extract in them, but having a child allergic to almonds, and the conflicting data regarding almond and imitation almond extracts and allergic reactions, I decided to leave it out altogether.  I am really happy with the way they turned out.  I find that sometimes that almond extract is a little overpowering anyway.  And the true test was when my family tasted them!  They gave the thumbs up, so I knew all was good!

Festive Funfetti Sugar Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
1 ¼ cup sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 ½ cups flour
¼ cup cornstarch
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup jimmies, any color
½ cup nonpareils, any color

 

1)      Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2)      Mix flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.  Set aside.
3)      Cream the butter and sugar together in medium/large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla and egg and beat until combined.
4)      Add about 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix slowly until well combined.  Repeat 2 more times until all of the flour is incorporated into the dough.
5)      Add the sprinkles and beat slowly, or mix by hand with a large spatula.  You don’t want to mix too hard or too much or the sprinkles will break up into the dough.
6)      Scoop the dough onto cookie sheets lined with parchment, using a small cookie scoop, a little more than an inch apart.
7)      Bake for 8-10 minutes, but just until you start to see golden brown on the bottom edges.  Cool on sheet on wire rack for 2-3 minutes, then remove directly to wire rack to finish cooling.

These have been a big hit with my family!!  They are easy to make, and the recipe makes a large amount of cookies.  Using the small cookie scoop, about 1 tablespoon of dough, I got over 5 dozen cookies.  The recipe is easily doubled, as well.

As far as the sprinkles go, most of you probably know that “Jimmies” are the long, skinny sprinkles.  “Nonpareils” are the little, tiny balls.  I purchased mine at a baking supply store, and you can get any colors you can imagine.  You could do the colors of your favorite sports team, holiday colors, or rainbow colors.  Whatever the celebration calls for!

 Enjoy!