EPICURIOUS SUGAR COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray or line them with parchment paper. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar until light in texture and smooth, about 2 minutes. While that mixture is beating, sift the flours, salt, and baking soda into a bowl and set aside.
• 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add this to the butter-sugar mixture and blend until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl as necessary to blend evenly. With the mixer on low or using a wooden spoon, stir in the sifted dry ingredients.
• 3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into two even pieces. Flatten each piece to about 1 inch thick and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled and firm, at least 2 hours.
• 4. Gently knead the chilled dough to make it more pliable. Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin and, rotating the dough consistently and working with even pressure, roll out to about an 1/8-inch thickness. Cut the dough into the desired shape and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Garnish the cookies with sanding sugar.
• 5. Bake the cookies in batches until they have a light golden-brown edge with a pale-blond center, about 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool completely.

Steps:

• Whisk salt, baking powder, and 3 cups flour in a small bowl. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until well combined (butter does not need to be fluffy), about 3 minutes. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; beat just to combine. Reduce speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients; mix just to combine. Form dough into two ¾"-thick disks; wrap in plastic. Chill at least 2 hours.
• Place racks in lower and upper thirds of oven; preheat to 325°. Let 1 disk of dough sit at room temperature until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper until about ¼" thick, dusting with flour as needed (if dough gets soft or sticky, chill on parchment until firm). Cut out shapes with floured cookie cutters; transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, 12–16 minutes, depending on size. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. Repeat with scraps and remaining dough.
• Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Do Ahead: Cookie dough can be made 1 month ahead; freeze instead of chilling. Cookies can be baked (left undecorated) 2 weeks ahead; wrap tightly and freeze.