Frosted Soft Sugar Cookies

To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or large mixing bowl and electric mixer) add the butter, oil, sugars, and beat on medium-high speed until creamed and combined, about 4 minutes.

Add the egg, extracts, and beat until combined.

Add the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and beat on low speed until just combined.

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, or your hands, form approximately 20 equal-sized mounds of dough, roll into balls, and flatten about halfway.

Place mounds on a large plate or tray, cover with plasticwrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 7 days. Do not bake with unchilled dough because cookies will bake thinner, flatter, and be more prone to spreading.

Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with a Silpat or spray with cooking spray. Place dough mounds on baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart (I use a half-sheet pan and bake 8 cookies per sheet) and bake for about 8 minutes (if your cookies are smaller than mine, reduce baking time) or until edges have set and tops are just set, even if slightly undercooked, pale, and glossy in the center; don’t overbake. Cookies firm up as they cool.

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for about 9 to 10 minutes before serving. I let them cool on the baking sheet and don’t use a rack. While cookies are cooling, make the frosting.

Make the Frosting

To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or large mixing bowl and electric mixer) add the butter, sugar, vanilla, optional salt, and beat on medium-low speed until creamy.

Slowly add the milk or cream, as necessary, to achieve desired frosting consistency.

Optionally add the food coloring as desired.

Add a generous dollop of frosting to each cookie and add sprinkles to taste.