There’s a certain magic that fills the air during the holiday season, and a big part of that magic comes from the kitchen. For me, nothing says ‘holiday season’ quite like the sight and smell of freshly baked cookies, specifically, Sparkle Cutout Cookies. These cookies have been a holiday staple in my household for as long as I can remember. My mom used to bake them when I was a child, and I’ve carried on the tradition with my own family. The recipe is incredibly simple and requires just a handful of ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. These cookies are absolutely delicious, with a rich, buttery flavor and a perfect, slightly crumbly texture. They’re also a blast to make, especially if you have kids. Cutting out the shapes and decorating the cookies is a great holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy. And of course, they make the perfect gift. Who wouldn’t want to receive a batch of homemade cookies during the holidays? I absolutely love these cookies, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you. So, without further ado, let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
- 1 c. margarine
- 2/3 c. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 1/2 c. flour
- dash of salt
Baking Instructions
- Combine softened cream cheese, margarine, sugar and vanilla until well blended.
- Add flour and salt.
- Mix well.
- Chill.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut with assorted cookie cutters.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with colored sugar or icing.
- Bake at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes, just until edges start to brown lightly.
Calorie: 150
Total cooking time: 1 hr
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Cookie Caper
Ah, the sweet aroma of victory…or is that just the cream cheese? No folks, it’s the smell of triumph over Sparkle Cutout Cookies! What an epic battle it was, filled with floury explosions and a near-death experience with a rogue cookie cutter. But let’s start from the beginning.
The Creamy Dream Team
The journey started with the dynamic duo, 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese and 1 c. margarine. They were as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin, shoes and socks…you get the idea. Softened to perfection, they were ready to take on the world, or at least, the mixing bowl.
Sweet Talks
In came the sweet talker, 2/3 c. sugar, whispering sweet nothings into the creamy mix. And let’s not forget about 1/2 tsp. vanilla. A dash of elegance in an otherwise chatty bowl. Mix it well, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. The sugar crystals were having a beach party in there, and I was struggling to keep up!
Chill Pill
The next step? “Chill.” Just that. No explanation. As if it’s that easy to calm down after a sugar-induced frenzy! The bowl went into the refrigerator, and I sat down, nursing a cup of tea, as I pondered the existential crisis of a cookie dough in progress.
Rolling in the Deep
Next up was the dough’s time to shine, rolling out onto a lightly floured surface. It was like watching a yoga master, stretching out to a mere 1/4-inch thickness. It was beautiful, it was zen, it was…oops. I pressed a little too hard and the dough split. No worries, I pressed it back together. A little imperfection never hurt anyone!
Cookie Cutter Chaos
Here came the real challenge. The cookie cutters, an assortment of shapes and sizes, like a gang of misfits waiting to pounce. I chose a star, a heart, and a round one that I’m pretty sure was meant to be a cookie. And voila! A whole array of misshapen cookies ready for the oven. They looked a little rough around the edges, but hey, don’t we all?
Sparkle and Shine
Before the cookies embarked on their hot journey, it was time for a little makeover. Some colored sugar here, a little icing there, and before you knew it, they were sparkling like they were about to hit the red carpet.
The Final Countdown
Finally, into the oven they went, set at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes. Just long enough for a quick dance break. As I grooved to some 80’s tunes, I kept an eye on the oven, waiting for the edges to start browning lightly. And then…success!
So there you have it, folks. My triumph over Sparkle Cutout Cookies. It was messy, it was chaotic, it was downright hilarious at times. But in the end, the sweet taste of victory (and cream cheese) made it all worth it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some cookies to devour!
