Super Cute Tea Cake Cookies!

I've always loved cookies that are decorated in fun, bright colors; they can brighten up anyone's day! These are my absolute favorite, they look super cute (hence the title), are delicious, and they can be made however you like. Fit it to your specific style!
This recipe comes from a cookbook I've had for a few years, "Pink Princess Cookbook," By: Barbara Beery
I'm sure you will love these cookies and hopefully try them out!

Watch my YouTube video (above) for a detailed step by step instruction! ♥

INGREDIENTS

1/2 CUP unsalted butter, softened
3/4 CUP sugar
1 egg
3/4 TSP vanilla
2 CUPS flour
1/2 TSP baking soda
1/2 TSP salt

ICING

Powdered sugar
milk
Various gel food colorings of your choice

In a medium-sized bowl, combine your flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set aside

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, (You can also use a hand mixer ^_^), add your softened butter.

Mix on low speed (2-3) until the butter is lighter in color, and airy. Add your sugar, and continue mixing until they are pale and fluffy.

Add egg and vanilla and combine until ingredients are smooth, creamy, and a pale yellow color, about 2 min (demonstration in video ^_^)

Add your dry ingredients, and mix on low speed (1) until the flour is JUST incorporated into the mixture.

You want to avoid over-mixing, because it can cause your cookies to toughen up.

Turn dough onto plastic wrap, and shape into a flat disc. Refridgerate until firm, about an hour or two.

This step is crucial! If you don't chill your dough, it will be too soft. Then you won't be able to roll it out properly!

Place your dough onto a floured work surface.

Dust the top of the dough with flour as well, you really want to make sure you floured it properly, as it can easily stick to your surface!

Roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick, depending on how you would like your cookies ^_^

Cut out with cookie cutters of your choice! This is the fun part, be creative :)

Place the cookies on a greased or parchment/wax paper lined cookie sheet, about 1" apart.

Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes. You want them to be just lightly golden brown :)

Cool them for about 10-15 minutes

Now they are ready for decorating!

You can use whichever icing recipe you prefer, this is my favorite:

2 CUPS powdered sugar
2-3 TBSP milk
pinch of salt

(you can add flavoring if you'd like, like vanilla or almond extract!)

Combine ingredients until smooth and creamy. You want a thick, yet spreadable consistency.

If coloring, separate into bowls and use food coloring of choice.

This is my favorite part of baking, decorating!

Ice the cookies however you'd like, get creative and express yourself ♥ I chose to do a cute, summery sort of design, but you can make these fall themed or really anything you want!

I used an off set spatula for icing, but you can use piping bags (as shown in picture) or simply a spoon.

I also used pearl sprinkles to make the cookies stand out, as well as edible glitter ^_^

Make sure you let the icing set completely before eating the cookies, although it will be difficult! You don't want to end up with smudged looking cookies, so be patient.

Once the cookies are completely decorated, it's time to enjoy! I hope you enjoyed this recipe and try it out ^_^ The full video recipe can be found on my YouTube channel, "Maly's Kitchen."
These are so adorable, easy and perfect for any occasion. I love the fact that they can be changed up for any theme, and you could also change up the flavors if you'd like.

Instead of using vanilla extract, try almond!

To make the cookies chocolate, add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dry ingredients ^_^

For the icing, you can change the flavor by using an extract of your choice. If you want a fresh citrus flavor, use the zest of a lemon/lime!

When decorating, if you want to make different layers of icing, let one layer dry completely before starting the next. This will ensure the icing is smooth and looks pretty ^_^

~Maly♥