Soft Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

(A)  Cookies

1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp. plain flour (sifted)

1 3/4 tsp. baking powder (sifted)

1/4 tsp. salt

114 g. unsalted butter (softened)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 tbsp. milk

(B)  Cream Cheese Glaze

2 oz. cream cheese (softened)

7 g. butter (softened)

1/2 cup icing sugar

1 tbsp. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

(C)  Topping

Christmas sprinkles

Methods:

(A)  The cookies

1. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
2. In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg, vanilla, milk and beat until combined.
4. Add the flour mixture and mix until dough forms.  Do not overmix.
5. Scoop dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon balls and place on a lined baking sheet.  The size of the cookies is as per your preference.
6. Slightly flatten tops with the bottom of a flat cup, with a piece of parchment paper place on top of the cookie.
7. Bake cookies in a preheated oven of 175 degree Celsius for 9-11 minutes.  The edges are set but centers still pale and soft.  They will firm up while cooling.
8. Place cookies on a wire rack and let it cool completely before glazing.

(B)  Glazing and decorating

1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until well combined with a hand held mixer.
2. Add in icing sugar, milk and vanilla.  Beat until silky and spreadable.
3. Spoon glaze on top of the cooled cookies.
4. Add Christmas sprinkles.
5. Let rest 1 hour for a soft-set finish (not messy).
6. Place in airtight container.
7. I place my cookies in the fridge, as the country that I am from is having hot and humid climate.  Thus, I will bring it out of the fridge for 10 minutes before eating.  

Cookies dressed for the holidays!

Extra Tips:

• Don't overbake - pale = soft.
• For thicker cookies, chill dough 20 minutes before baking.
• For perfectly round cookies, gently push edges in while still warm.
• Glaze sets faster on a wire rack than on parchment.

This beautiful cookies is adapted from 'Lori's Recipe Journal' with slight adjustments to suit my baking preference.