Autumn Sugar Cookies

One thing about me, which you will soon find out throughout this blogging journey, is I love sugar cookies. I love baking them, decorating them, and especially eating them! Of course, my first fall-themed treat would be pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies. The recipe I used is my ride-or-die recipe for sugar cookies. It never fails me! And the best part: no chill time! Sounds a bit skeptical, but believe me.. this is the best recipe ever!

Personally, I love using buttercream to decorate sugar cookies. Well anything really. But there's a rustic look to them that I just adore. Plus, I think it tastes much better than royal icing. Royal icing is great for making cookies look near flawless, but I've never been a fan of the flavor.

My buttercream recipe isn't anything groundbreaking but it sure is yummy! I decided to add an extra flare to my buttercream this time to make it more fall-appropriate. One of my favorite smells and tastes during this season is cinnamon! So, I decided to spice up these cookies a bit by adding cinnamon to the buttercream. It added an extra warmth to them that I love!

Of course, you can use any shape you'd like to for these recipes but I found these pumpkins to be so simple yet adorable! Not to mention, they're a great beginner's cookie since the decoration isn't anything too complex.

I hope you enjoy them as much I did!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 egg

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 3 cups all purpose flour

*Makes approximately 2-3 dozen cookies, depending on size of cookie cutter

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.

2. Mix butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

4. In separate bowl, mix baking powder and flour.

5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients little by little, mixing continuously.

6. After mixture becomes crumbly, empty batter onto clean work surface sprinkled with flour and use hands to continue kneading ingredients together.

7. Roll dough no thinner than 1/8 inch.

8. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until light, golden brown around edges.

9. Cool completely before decorating!

*Do not chill the dough! This recipe works best when dough is not chilled.

Buttercream Frosting Recipe

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4-6 cups powdered sugar

• 3-4 tablespoons milk

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon (optional)

• Gel food colors

1. Beat butter on low speed in a large bowl until fluffy.

2. Add 2-3 cups of powdered sugar and mix until well combined.

3. Add milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.

4. Continue adding powdered sugar 1 cup at a time (tasting in between) until desired flavor and texture.

5. Divide frosting and color accordingly.

Enjoy! Happy Autumn!