Bethany's Favorite Valentine Cut Out Sugar Cookies - The Best Homemade Treat!

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). An electric mixer makes this easier, but you can do it by hand – it just takes a little longer!
4. Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Step 5: Add Cream of Tartar: Mix in the cream of tartar.
6. Step 6: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
7. Step 7: Chill the Dough: This is a crucial step! Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). This allows the gluten to relax and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin.
8. Step 8: Shape the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
9. Step 9: Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
10. Step 10: Cool & Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with icing, sprinkles, and other festive toppings.