Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup salted butter (softened)
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
- ½ cup salted butter (softened)
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Topping
- ½ cup rainbow nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Make Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, white granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about one minute.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla bean paste into the mixture. Beat on high speed for another minute until light and fluffy.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed. Using a sifter, add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the bowl. Gently mix until fully combined and no dry clumps remain, forming the cookie dough.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Use a cookie scoop to drop evenly sized balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 11 minutes. Once done, transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: In a clean large bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Frost Cookies: Use a piping bag or an offset spatula to evenly spread or pipe the frosting over each cooled cookie.
- Decorate: Dip the frosted tops of each cookie into the rainbow nonpareil sprinkles, ensuring an even coating for a bright, festive look. Serve and enjoy your frosted sugar cookies!
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and soft cookies.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- For a more intense vanilla flavor, you can add a touch more vanilla bean paste to the frosting.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
