Sugar Gems
Delight in the simple elegance of *Sugar Gems*, a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie recipe that dazzles with color and charm. These bite-sized treats are made with a tender, shortbread-style dough infused with vanilla and almond extracts for a rich, aromatic flavor. Each cookie is rolled in vibrant, sparkling sanding sugar, giving them a jewel-like appearance that's perfect for holidays, parties, or afternoon tea. With just 20 minutes of prep and a quick bake time, this recipe is both easy and impressive. Serve these stunning cookies alongside coffee or hot cocoa, and watch them disappear in no time! Perfect for cookie exchanges or as a festive homemade gift, *Sugar Gems* are guaranteed to bring a touch of magic to any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups Unsalted butter (softened)
- 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
- 0.25 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoons Almond extract
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 cups Decorative sanding sugar (assorted colors)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt to the butter-sugar mixture, and mix until well combined.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Roll the dough into small, marble-sized balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
Pour the decorative sanding sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each dough ball in the sanding sugar until fully coated.
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Using the bottom of a glass or your palm, gently flatten each dough ball slightly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the tops no longer look wet. Avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your sparkling Sugar Gems with a cup of tea or coffee!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1904 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 97.8 g | 125% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.0 g | 305% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 258 mg | 86% | |
| Sodium | 610 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 238.1 g | 87% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.9 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 101.1 g | ||
| Protein | 19.6 g | 39% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 50 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 227 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
