Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share our best tips and tricks for baking amazing cookies. Today, we’re going to talk about one of our favorite recipes: Cheryl’s sugar cookies. These are the buttery, soft, and chewy cookies that you might have seen in the stores or online. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or just a treat for yourself.
But did you know that you can make these cookies at home with just a few simple ingredients and steps? That’s right, you don’t need to buy them from the store or order them online. You can enjoy fresh and homemade Cheryl’s sugar cookies anytime you want. In this article, we’ll show you how to do it. We’ll also share some interesting facts and tips about these cookies, as well as answer some common questions that you might have. So, let’s get started!
What are Cheryl’s Sugar Cookies?
Cheryl’s sugar cookies are a type of cookie that originated from a company called Cheryl’s Cookies, founded by Cheryl Krueger in 1981 in Columbus, Ohio. The company started as a small bakery that sold six kinds of cookies, but soon expanded to offer more varieties and products, such as brownies, cakes, and gift baskets. Today, Cheryl’s Cookies is part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands and has over 200 retail stores across the US.
One of the most popular products of Cheryl’s Cookies is their sugar cookies. These are round and flat cookies that are made with butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, and salt. They are then decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles. The cookies are soft and chewy in texture and have a buttery and sweet flavor. They come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the season and occasion. For example, you can find heart-shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day, pumpkin-shaped cookies for Halloween, or snowman-shaped cookies for Christmas.
Why are Cheryl’s Sugar Cookies so Good?
There are many reasons why Cheryl’s sugar cookies are so good. Here are some of them:
- They use high-quality ingredients, such as real butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and natural flavors.
- They use a special recipe that creates a soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- They use a unique process that involves chilling the dough before baking to prevent spreading and ensure even baking.
- They use a variety of icings and sprinkles that add color and flavor to the cookies.
- They offer a wide range of shapes and sizes that suit different tastes and preferences.
How to Store Cheryl’s Sugar Cookies?
If you want to keep your Cheryl’s sugar cookies fresh and delicious for longer, you need to store them properly. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- If you buy them from the store or online, they usually come in a sealed package or container that keeps them moist and soft. You can store them in their original packaging at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- If you make them at home or open the package or container, you should transfer them to an airtight container or ziplock bag and store them at room temperature for up to one week.
- If you want to freeze them for later use, you should wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. You can freeze them for up to three months.
- To thaw frozen cookies, you should let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before enjoying them.
How to Make Cheryl’s Sugar Cookies at Home?
If you want to make your own Cheryl’s sugar cookies at home, you don’t need any special equipment or ingredients. You just need some basic baking tools and pantry staples. Here is what you need:
Ingredients | Amount |
Butter (softened) | 3/4 cup |
Sugar | 3/4 cup |
Egg | 1 |
Vanilla extract | 1/2 teaspoon |
All-purpose flour | 2 1/2 cups |
Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
For the icing and decorations: | |
Butter (softened) | 1/2 cup |
Confectioners’ sugar | 3-4 cups |
Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
Milk | 1/3 cup |
Food coloring (optional) | As desired |
Sprinkles (optional) | As desired |
And here are the steps to follow:
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Cut out shapes with your favorite cookie cutters and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling any scraps as needed.
- To make the icing, beat together the butter, vanilla, and two cups of confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Add the milk and continue beating until smooth and creamy. Add more sugar as needed to adjust the consistency. If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with food coloring.
- To decorate the cookies, spread or pipe the icing over the cooled cookies andadd sprinkles if desired. Enjoy your homemade Cheryl’s sugar cookies!
That’s it! You have successfully made your own Cheryl’s sugar cookies at home. They are chewy, delicious, and easy to make. You can share them with your family and friends, or keep them for yourself. We won’t judge!
FAQs about Cheryl’s Sugar Cookies
Yes, you can use a different type of sugar for the cookies, but it might affect the texture and flavor of the cookies. For example, if you use brown sugar instead of white sugar, the cookies will be darker and more moist. If you use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar, the cookies will be lighter and more crumbly. You can experiment with different types of sugar and see what you like best.
Yes, you can use a different type of flour for the cookies, but it might affect the consistency and taste of the cookies. For example, if you use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour, the cookies will be denser and more nutty. If you use gluten-free flour instead of regular flour, the cookies will be softer and more fragile. You can try different types of flour and see what works best for you.
Yes, you can add other ingredients to the cookies, such as chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruits, or spices. However, you should be careful not to add too much or too little of these ingredients, as they might affect the texture and flavor of the cookies. You can also adjust the amount of sugar and butter accordingly to balance out the sweetness and richness of the cookies.
Yes, you can make the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for later use. You can either store them before or after decorating them with icing and sprinkles. If you store them before decorating them, you should let them thaw at room temperature before applying the icing and sprinkles. If you store them after decorating them, you should let them dry completely before packing them.
The cookies last for up to two weeks at room temperature if stored in their original packaging or an airtight container. They last for up to one week at room temperature if stored in an open container or ziplock bag. They last for up to three months in the freezer if wrapped individually and placed in a freezer-safe container or bag.
If you want to make vegan Cheryl’s sugar cookies, you need to replace the butter, egg, and milk with vegan alternatives. For example, you can use vegan butter or margarine instead of regular butter, flaxseed meal or applesauce instead of egg, and plant-based milk such as almond milk or soy milk instead of cow’s milk. You can also use vegan confectioners’ sugar and food coloring for the icing and sprinkles.
If you want to make gluten-free Cheryl’s sugar cookies, you need to replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum or guar gum. These are ingredients that help bind the dough together and prevent it from falling apart. You can also add some cornstarch or tapioca starch to improve the texture and flavor of the cookies.
If you want to make keto-friendly Cheryl’s sugar cookies, you need to replace the sugar and flour with low-carb alternatives that don’t spike your blood sugar levels. For example, you can use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar, and almond flour or coconut flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also use unsalted butter or coconut oil for the fat content.
If you want to make dairy-free Cheryl’s sugar cookies, you need to replace the butter and milk with dairy-free alternatives that have similar properties. For example, you can use coconut oil or vegetable oil instead of butter, and almond milk or oat milk instead of cow’s milk. You can also use dairy-free confectioners’ sugar and food coloring for the icing and sprinkles.
If you want to make nut-free Cheryl’s sugar cookies, you need to avoid using any ingredients that contain nuts or traces of nuts. For example, you should not use almond flour, almond milk, or almond extract for the cookies. You should also check the labels of the other ingredients, such as vanilla extract, baking powder, and sprinkles, to make sure they are nut-free.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about Cheryl’s sugar cookies. We showed you how to make them at home with simple ingredients and steps. We also answered some common questions that you might have about these cookies. Now you can enjoy these chewy and delicious cookies anytime you want.
If you liked this article, please check out our other articles on baking and cooking. We have more recipes and tips for you to try. You can also leave us a comment below and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading and happy baking!