Sand Dollar Sugar Cookies

Sand Dollar Sugar Cookies

This recipe is for the cutest sand dollar-inspired sugar cookies, perfect for your next beach soirée! They are based on my favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe to maintain their shape, and topped with cinnamon sugar for that yummy but sandy look! See the whole look with this beach picnic inspiration.

Sand Dollar Sugar Cookies

Makes: about 16 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Topping Ingredients:

• Sliced almonds for decorating
• 2 tbsp sugar & 1 tsp ground cinnamon, combined

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Cream together the butter and sugar on low, then medium, then high until the mixture is creamy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and mix on high until combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula and mix one more time until all ingredients are well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt, and flour.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer one cup at a time and mix on low speed until combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixer and mix one more time until the dough is fully formed.
6. Working in thirds, roll out a section of the dough between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4″ thick. Freeze the sheets of dough for 5 minutes before using a round cookie cutter to cut out the sand dollar shapes. Arrange on a parchment paper-lined aluminum baking sheet, leaving space between cookies. Gently press five sliced almonds in a centered circle on top, slice a few holes and slits with a sharp knife to mimic a sand dollar, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
7. Bake for 11 minutes and let cool thoroughly before handling. You can add more cinnamon sugar to the tops while still hot if desired.
8. Repeat for all remaining dough sections, including any reserved scraps, which can be re-rolled.