For some, Christmas is about eggnog, mulled wine, and indulgent cocktails, or a table laden with stuffing and roast ham. If you have a sweet tooth like me, however, Christmas means one thing: baked treats.
While it feels like I've spent the fall in hibernation, making pots of soup and watching Joanna Gaines' new cooking show, I'm desperate to start baking festive treats now that December is finally here. And as a devoted fan of all things Magnolia, the only way to kick off the holiday season is by trying out Joanna Gaines' sugar cookie recipe. It's simple, speedy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – and I know it's about to claim top spot in my Christmas baking rotation.
Magnolia's bakeware will fill your kitchen with cottagecore charm
I've been baking sugar cookies every winter for as long as I can remember, but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to try out a new recipe. (Joanna Gaines' baked oatmeal was an unexpected addition to my breakfast routine this fall, for example.)
Joanna's sugar cookies call for all the standard ingredients, alongside a splash of milk to loosen the dough and a hint of vanilla extract for depth of flavor. Plus, no sugar cookie is complete without a generous amount of frosting, and Joanna's recipe includes her signature vanilla buttercream. Add sprinkles and you can even make cookie sandwiches, which are my preferred sweet treat during the holiday season.
I have no doubt that her sugar cookies will be a hit – especially since I already swear by Joanna Gaines' cinnamon roll recipe. (I've even invested in Magnolia's flat cookie sheet and vintage-inspired green mixing bowls so I can feel just like I'm baking in Joanna's modern rustic kitchen.) Below, I've shared exactly how to bake Joanna's sugar cookies, alongside all the Magnolia bakeware to shop right now.
Joanna Gaines' Sugar Cookie Recipe
Shop antique-inspired cake stands and more in Magnolia's serveware collection
Ingredients
- For the cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp milk
- For the vanilla buttercream:
- 9 ounces (2 sticks plus 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1½ tbsp whole milk
- 1 cup of sprinkles to decorate (optional)
Magnolia's blush glass 4-cup measuring cup and Eleanor carved wood cake stand are guaranteed to elevate your baking setup
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium high until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Beat in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract on medium speed until combined.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add this mixture into your wet ingredients while mixing on low speed until thoroughly incorporated.
- Scoop the dough onto your prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop or large spoon (approx. 1½ tbsp dough per cookie).
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow the cookies to sit on the pan for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- To make the frosting, cream the butter in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mixing on high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes).
- Add the vanilla and continue to mix on high speed for about a minute.
- Reduce the speed to low and slowly add in the powdered sugar, approx. ¼ cup at a time. Add the milk and continue to mix slowly until smooth. When the mixture is smooth, increase the speed to medium, mixing until fluffy (about 2 more minutes).
- To assemble your cookie sandwiches, set the cookies up in pairs. With the bottom of one cookie facing up, use a small scoop to place about 2 tbsp of buttercream on this side of the cookie, and place the second cookie on top.
- Sandwich them together, pressing just enough to spread the filling to the edges. Repeat this process with the remaining pairs, and roll the edges of each cookie sandwich in sprinkles if you wish.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Shop Joanna Gaines' Sugar Cookie Essentials
Every home baker needs a reliable set of measuring cups, but this set is both practical and stylish. The ribbed blush glass is so gorgeous, you'll want to keep these on permanent display in your kitchen.
While I love the cottagecore look of the vintage-inspired green mixing bowls, I've got a real soft spot for Magnolia's copper kitchen utensils, too. Who said baking essentials can't be chic, after all?
I'm building up quite the collection of pretty glass baking tools, but I just can't help myself. Plus, measuring cups like this one will make life so much easier when you're cooking in bigger batches.
Festive treats deserve to be prepared using festive bakeware, which is why this patterned mat went straight in my cart. It's the perfect way to lean into the scalloped decor trend, too.
If you're particularly committed to upgrading your baking setup, these handsome sieves are a must-have. Throw in the copper and walnut whisk and your kitchen will be transformed; you'll feel like a professional baker in no time.
Subtly festive and yet suitable for any baking endeavour, this spatula set is a real gem – and it would make an ideal gift for the eager bakers in your life. I'm buying a few extra sets to use as stocking stuffers.
If you really want to bake like Joanna Gaines, I'd say you need to invest in her trusted appliances. I'm hoping I find the Hearth and Hand with Magnolia KitchenAid stand mixer under my Christmas tree this year, though I'm also a huge fan of Joanna Gaines' Kitchenaid Go hand mixer from Target.
