Every July 9, National Sugar Cookie Day gives us the perfect excuse to indulge in buttery, golden, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. But this year, let’s do more than bake. Let’s decorate and elevate your sugar cookie game with Toastmaster Toaster Oven and trivet hacks from Select Brands. From perfectly even baking to clever countertop cooling, we’re bringing you five creative sugar cookie recipes along with expert tips to help you bake like a pro.
The Perfect Sugar Cookie Starts Here
Before we jump into the recipes, it’s important to make sure your base sugar cookie dough is the best it can be. Use all-purpose flour and measure it accurately so the cookies do not turn out too dry. Add baking powder to give the cookies lift while keeping their shape. Fine sea salt adds balance to the sweetness.
Use unsalted butter at a cool room temperature. This means it should be soft enough to press a finger into but still hold its shape. Add granulated sugar, one whole egg, and an additional egg yolk to enhance the richness and chewiness. Finally, don’t skip the vanilla extract. It’s what gives sugar cookies their signature flavor.
Now that your dough is ready, here are five creative ways to make your sugar cookies stand out this National Sugar Cookie Day.
Meet Your Baking MVP: The Toastmaster Toaster Oven
The Toastmaster Toaster Oven is the secret ingredient behind better baking. Compact yet powerful, it preheats quickly and offers precise temperature control that helps you avoid overbaking or uneven results. Whether you're baking a small batch or decorating cookies in stages, the consistent heat distribution ensures golden, even finishes every time. It’s ideal for summer baking too, no need to heat up the entire kitchen just to whip up a dozen cookies.
Pair it with a wire trivet, and you’ve got the perfect baking duo for fast, mess-free cooling and decorating.
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Five Creative Sugar Cookie Recipes to Try
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cool room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your Toastmaster Toaster Oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, yolk, and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
- Roll dough, cut into shapes, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Cool on a wire trivet before decorating.
2. Lemon Glazed Stars
Ingredients:
- Basic sugar cookie dough
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions:
- Add lemon zest to the dough before baking.
- Prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Bake cookies as directed, then cool on a trivet.
- Drizzle with lemon glaze and let set.
3. Sprinkle Dipped Sugar Cookie
Ingredients:
- Basic sugar cookie dough
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
- Form dough into thick rounds and place on a baking pan.
- Bake and let cool completely.
- Dip one side of each cookie into melted white chocolate and coat with sprinkles.
- Place on a trivet to cool and set.
4. S’mores Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- Basic sugar cookie dough
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 chocolate bar, broken into squares
- ½ cup crushed graham crackers
Instructions:
- Bake cookies and remove from oven.
- Top with marshmallows and return to the toaster oven on broil until marshmallows are golden.
- Press a chocolate square into each and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs.
- Cool on a wire trivet.
5. Tie-Dye Cookies
Ingredients:
- Basic sugar cookie dough
- Gel food coloring (3 colors)
Instructions:
- Divide dough into three portions.
- Tint each with a different color and swirl together.
- Roll into a log, chill, then slice into cookies.
- Bake and then cool on a trivet for vibrant, party-ready treats.
Bake, Decorate, Celebrate
Whether you are a sugar cookie purist or love experimenting with new flavors, National Sugar Cookie Day is the perfect time to bake, decorate, and share something sweet. Using Toastmaster toaster ovens and trivets from Select Brands, you can make the process easier, faster, and a lot more fun.
So grab your ingredients, fire up your toaster oven, and let your creativity shine. Celebrate the day with cookies that look just as good as they taste.
Ready to bake? Shop Toastmaster appliances and kitchen tools at selectbrands.com and take your sugar cookies to the next level.
FAQs
1. How to Make SOFT Sugar Cookies
To get that soft, chewy texture, use one whole egg plus an extra yolk to add moisture and richness. Scoop large dough balls, about 3 tablespoons each, for a tender center and beautiful spread. Don’t overbake them; the centers should still look slightly glossy when you pull them from the oven. They’ll finish setting as they cool.
2. Why Did My Sugar Cookies Spread?
Cookies often spread too much when the butter is too soft. For best results, use butter at a cool room temperature, it should give slightly when pressed but still hold its shape. Also, avoid greasing your baking surface, which can cause spreading. Stick to parchment paper for even baking.
3. How to Get a Crinkly Top in Sugar Cookies
Crinkly tops are thanks to baking powder, so make sure yours is fresh. You can test it by adding a little to hot water, if it bubbles, it's good to go. The leavening helps the tops rise and fall for that perfect cracked look. Don't skip this step if you want bakery-style cookies.
4. What Kind of Baking Sheet is Best for Cookies?
Light-colored aluminum half-sheet pans are ideal because they bake evenly without over-browning the bottoms. Avoid dark or nonstick pans, which absorb too much heat and can burn the cookies. You’ll notice a major difference just by switching pans. Consistent results start with the right bakeware.
5. Should I Line Baking Sheets with Parchment or Silicone Mats?
Parchment paper is the best option as it provides a nonstick surface without altering how the cookies bake. Silicone mats can lead to more spreading and browning, which changes the final texture. Also, never spray your parchment or mat with nonstick spray, or your cookies may spread too much. Keep it simple for better results.
