Ditch the Guilt with These Holiday Sugar Cookies

What are your favorite cookies to bake for the holidays? Every year I look forward to gathering in the kitchen with my siblings and making homemade sugar cookies…complete with all the frosting and sprinkles! These sugar cookies are much healthier than your traditional cookies, but are definitely not lacking in flavor. They are simple to bake, contain just the right amount of sweetness, and taste amazing with frosting! Happy baking!

Ingredients: COOKIES

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour + more for rolling into shapes
• 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1-2 tsp milk

FROSTING

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 2 1/2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
• Splash of milk

Directions:

1. Add softened butter to a large mixing bowl and cream with a mixer.
2. Add sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, egg and beat for 1 minute.
3. Add dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, salt, baking soda and baking powder) to a medium bowl. Use a spoon to briefly stir, and then add to butter and sugar mixture.
4. Mix until incorporated. Then add milk and mix until a soft dough is formed. If it appears too wet, mix in a bit more flour.
5. Cover and freeze dough for 15 minutes, or refrigerate for 30-45 minutes (up to overnight).
6. Five minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Scoop out heaping 1 Tbsp. amounts of chilled dough and roll into balls. Alternatively, roll out on a lightly floured piece of wax paper and cut out shapes. (NOTE: For shapes, to ensure they keep their form while baking, freeze them on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.)
8. Bake on the center rack for 10-12 minutes for (8-10 for cutout shapes), or very slightly golden brown.
9. Remove from oven and let rest on pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Prepare frosting in the meantime.
10. FOR FROSTING: Wipe/rinse your mixing bowl clean and add softened butter. Beat until light and fluffy. Then add vanilla (optional) and mix once more.
11. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time and continue mixing until thick and creamy. Drizzle in a little milk to thin.
12. Once cooled, frost cookies and top with sprinkles.

Source: http://minimalistbaker.com/1-bowl-vegan-sugar-cookies/

Check out the other recipes in the Holiday Recipe Swap series:

Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Casserole Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins Leftover Turkey and Sweet Potato Frittata Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes Garlic Mashed Cauliflower