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Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies (Soft, Sparkly & Magical for the Holidays)

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Author: Adam
Published:
Updated:

๐ŸŽ‰ Introduction

These Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies are sweet, soft, dreamy little treats that almost feel magical. They have a buttery vanilla cookie base with a tender, melt-away texture, then theyโ€™re rolled in sparkling sugar that gives them a delicate crunch and an enchanting, fairy-dust shine.

They look whimsical on cookie trays, and they taste even better โ€” lightly sweet, buttery, soft, and cozy. These are perfect for holidays, tea parties, gifting, and any moment where you want something sweet and beautiful without being too complicated.

Simple, elegant, and absolutely delightful.


๐Ÿงฐ Equipment Needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

๐Ÿ›’ Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Colored sparkling sugar or sanding sugar (pink, purple, white, or mix)

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ Directions

step1: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until creamy, soft, and smooth.

step2: Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.

step3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

step4: Add dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.

step5: Cover the dough and chill for 20โ€“30 minutes to make shaping easier.

step6: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

step7: Scoop small portions of dough and roll into smooth balls.

step8: Roll each cookie dough ball in sparkling sugar until well coated.

step9: Place on the baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.

step10: Bake for 8โ€“11 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden.
The tops should remain soft, pale, and round.

step11: Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.


๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Servings & Timing (Normal Format)

  • Servings: ~20โ€“26 cookies
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Chill Time: 20โ€“30 minutes
  • Bake Time: 8โ€“11 minutes
  • Total Time: ~40 minutes

๐ŸงŠ Storage & Reheating

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5โ€“6 days.
  • Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
  • To refresh: warm a cookie 6 seconds in the microwave.

๐Ÿฅ„ Variations (Normal Style)

  • Almond Fairy Cookies:
    Replace 1 tsp vanilla with almond extract.
  • Sparkling Strawberry:
    Add 1 tsp strawberry extract + use pink sanding sugar.
  • Lavender Fairy:
    Add a tiny pinch of edible lavender for a floral twist.
  • Fairy Frosted:
    Drizzle cooled cookies with powdered sugar icing for a dreamy glaze.
  • Marbled Sugar Look:
    Roll cookies in a mix of sugar colors for a galaxy fairy sparkle.

โ“ 10 FAQs

  1. Do the cookies stay soft?
    Yes โ€” they stay tender inside with a light sugar crunch outside.
  2. Can I skip chilling the dough?
    Chilling helps prevent spreading โ€” recommended.
  3. What sugar works best for coating?
    Sanding sugar or fine sparkling sugar holds color without melting.
  4. Can I make them without egg?
    Yes โ€” replace with 2 tbsp milk.
  5. Can I make the dough ahead?
    Yes โ€” chill up to 24 hours.
  6. Can kids help?
    Absolutely โ€” rolling in sparkles is the fun part!
  7. Should they brown on top?
    No โ€” they should stay pale and soft.
  8. Can I freeze the dough?
    Yes โ€” freeze scoop-ready dough balls up to 2 months.
  9. Can I make them bigger?
    Yes โ€” increase bake time by 1โ€“2 minutes.
  10. Why powdered sugar instead of granulated?
    It gives the cookies a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

๐Ÿ Conclusion

These Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies are soft, sweet, sparkly, and full of whimsical charm. Whether youโ€™re baking for the holidays or simply craving something pretty and cozy, these cookies bring joy with every bite โ€” simple magic in cookie form

Adam

Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies (Soft, Sparkly & Magical for the Holidays)

These Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies are sweet, soft, dreamy little treats that almost feel magical. They have a buttery vanilla cookie base with a tender, melt-away texture, then theyโ€™re rolled in sparkling sugar that gives them a delicate crunch and an enchanting, fairy-dust shine. They look whimsical on cookie trays, and they taste even better โ€” lightly sweet, buttery, soft, and cozy. These are perfect for holidays, tea parties, gifting, and any moment where you want something sweet and beautiful without being too complicated. Simple, elegant, and absolutely delightful.
Prep Time 10 minutes
bake & Chill Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 26 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Colored sparkling sugar or sanding sugar pink, purple, white, or mix

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

step1: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until creamy, soft, and smooth.
    step2: Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
      step3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
        step4: Add dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
          step5: Cover the dough and chill for 20โ€“30 minutes to make shaping easier.
            step6: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
              step7: Scoop small portions of dough and roll into smooth balls.
                step8: Roll each cookie dough ball in sparkling sugar until well coated.
                  step9: Place on the baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
                    step10: Bake for 8โ€“11 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden.
                    1. The tops should remain soft, pale, and round.
                    step11: Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

                      Notes

                      ๐ŸงŠ Storage & Reheating
                      Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 5โ€“6 days.
                      Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
                      To refresh: warm a cookie 6 seconds in the microwave.
                      ๐Ÿฅ„ Variations (Normal Style)
                      Almond Fairy Cookies:
                      Replace 1 tsp vanilla with almond extract.
                      Sparkling Strawberry:
                      Add 1 tsp strawberry extract + use pink sanding sugar.
                      Lavender Fairy:
                      Add a tiny pinch of edible lavender for a floral twist.
                      Fairy Frosted:
                      Drizzle cooled cookies with powdered sugar icing for a dreamy glaze.
                      Marbled Sugar Look:
                      Roll cookies in a mix of sugar colors for a galaxy fairy sparkle.
                      โ“ 10 FAQs
                      Do the cookies stay soft?
                      Yes โ€” they stay tender inside with a light sugar crunch outside.
                      Can I skip chilling the dough?
                      Chilling helps prevent spreading โ€” recommended.
                      What sugar works best for coating?
                      Sanding sugar or fine sparkling sugar holds color without melting.
                      Can I make them without egg?
                      Yes โ€” replace with 2 tbsp milk.
                      Can I make the dough ahead?
                      Yes โ€” chill up to 24 hours.
                      Can kids help?
                      Absolutely โ€” rolling in sparkles is the fun part!
                      Should they brown on top?
                      No โ€” they should stay pale and soft.
                      Can I freeze the dough?
                      Yes โ€” freeze scoop-ready dough balls up to 2 months.
                      Can I make them bigger?
                      Yes โ€” increase bake time by 1โ€“2 minutes.
                      Why powdered sugar instead of granulated?
                      It gives the cookies a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
                      ๐Ÿ Conclusion
                      These Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies are soft, sweet, sparkly, and full of whimsical charm. Whether youโ€™re baking for the holidays or simply craving something pretty and cozy, these cookies bring joy with every bite โ€” simple magic in cookie form
                      Adam

                      Hello! Iโ€™m Adam, a 34-year-old passionate chef and the creator of The Food Journal.
                      Welcome to my corner of the internet where flavor meets creativity. Here at The Food Journal, I share my favorite recipes, cooking tips, and food stories โ€” all crafted to inspire your next delicious meal.

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