Imagine a delicate, buttery cookie that whispers tales of Scottish highlands and cozy kitchen traditions. These "Flowers of Scotland" Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat - they're a culinary journey that combines delightful almond and vanilla notes with a sparkling, festive decoration that will make your dessert table absolutely irresistible. Whether you're a baking enthusiast or a cookie lover seeking something special, these Scottish-inspired cookies promise to elevate your baking game and impress everyone who takes a bite!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Scottish
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup colored sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare your baking workspace by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder until well combined and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and white sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully incorporated. Then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract, ensuring all ingredients are well blended.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Gently flatten each cookie ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in colored sugar, creating a decorative sparkly surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, enjoying the delicate Scottish-inspired sugar cookies.
Tips
- Ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted - this creates the perfect cookie texture.
- Chilling the dough is crucial! It prevents cookies from spreading too much and helps maintain their shape.
- Use a clean, flat-bottomed glass dipped in colored sugar for a professional, sparkling cookie top.
- Don't overbake - golden edges with soft centers are the secret to a perfect sugar cookie.
- For extra flavor complexity, try using European-style butter if available.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before storing to maintain their delightful texture.
- Experiment with different colored sugars to match seasonal themes or celebrations!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
