Prepare Festive Sugar Cookies Now: A Guide to Freezing Dough

As the festive season approaches, many are beginning to prepare for Christmas baking. According to culinary expert Michelle Darmody, now is an ideal time to make and freeze sugar cookie dough. This allows for a fuss-free baking experience closer to the holiday, making it particularly convenient for families looking to engage children in a fun activity.

Darmody emphasizes that freezing cookie dough can be done at various stages. Home bakers can choose to make batches of dough, wrap them in parchment paper, and place them into freezer bags. Alternatively, they can roll out the dough, cut it into cookie shapes, and freeze the unbaked cookies directly. This method allows bakers to bake the cookies straight from the freezer, requiring only minor adjustments to the cooking time.

When baking frozen cookies, it is crucial to monitor them closely. The cookies should achieve a pale biscuit color in the center, with edges that are just beginning to turn golden. Generally, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time is sufficient for these small, thin cookies. Preheating the oven to the correct temperature is also essential. If the cookies thaw at a lower temperature, they may spread and lose their intended crispness.

Ingredients and Preparation Steps

The following ingredients are needed to create the sugar cookie dough:

– 180g cold butter, cubed
– 180g white sugar
– 1 tsp baking powder, sieved
– 480g plain flour, sieved
– 1 tsp vanilla
– 2 eggs, lightly beaten

To prepare the dough, begin by beating the cold butter and sugar until the mixture is soft and creamy. Sift the flour and baking powder together, setting it aside. Next, lightly whisk the vanilla into the eggs and gradually add the eggs to the butter mixture in thirds, incorporating a spoonful of flour with each addition. Mix until just combined.

Once the dough is ready, scoop it onto a piece of baking parchment and fold the paper over to cover it. This can be refrigerated for about two hours to firm up, or placed directly into a freezer bag for longer storage.

If opting to bake immediately, preheat the oven to 190°C / gas 5 and line two large baking trays with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately half a centimeter in thickness. Cut out cookie shapes and place them on the prepared trays or store them in a flat, oven-proof container with parchment between layers if freezing.

For baking, the cookies should take about ten minutes. Once baked, allow them to cool for a few moments before transferring them to a wire rack using the parchment paper for support.

Tips for Perfect Cookies

Darmody provides several tips to ensure success with sugar cookies. If the dough becomes too sticky, it may be due to excessive handling or melted butter. To maintain the dough’s integrity, keep it cold during preparation. Using room temperature eggs helps achieve better emulsification within the dough.

While granulated sugar is the primary sweetener in this recipe, Darmody notes her preference for caster sugar for its finer texture in other cookie recipes. Overmixing after adding flour should be avoided as it can result in tough cookies.

To facilitate rolling, flatten the dough into a rectangle about one centimeter thick before refrigerating. This step simplifies the rolling process. If immediate baking is not possible, placing the baking trays in the refrigerator before adding the cookies can help maintain a cold temperature.

When cutting the cookies, press the cutter downwards without twisting to prevent distortion during baking. As cookies bake quickly, accuracy in oven temperature is critical. An oven thermometer can be useful to ensure proper heat levels. Rotating baking trays halfway through the baking process can help achieve even results.

Darmody advises that the ideal cookie should be lightly colored, with a slightly golden edge and a pale center. After baking, cookies are fragile while warm, so they should be moved carefully onto a wire rack.

For optimal storage, cookies remain fresh for approximately three days in an airtight container. To preserve their texture, placing a sheet of baking parchment between layers is recommended.

For a delicious twist, Darmody suggests making vanilla sugar cookies. After baking, a dusting of vanilla icing sugar can enhance the flavor. To create vanilla sugar, simply add a split vanilla pod to a jar of icing sugar and let it infuse for several weeks.

With this guide, bakers can prepare in advance, ensuring delightful sugar cookies are ready to enjoy during the holiday season.