Description
Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies are deliciously spiced soft cookies with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, perfect for holiday celebrations or everyday indulgence. These cookies feature a tender crumb from creamed butter and sugars, enhanced by warm spices and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
For Dusting
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once your dough is prepared.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. This process helps incorporate air, giving the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop cookie dough mounds onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating the cookies are cooked through but still soft in the center.
- Cool and Dust: Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Make sure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming.
- Using room temperature eggs helps achieve a smooth batter.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
