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Flower Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 97 reviews

These delightful Flower Cookies are buttery, tender treats with a charming floral design. Split into two dough colors—classic uncolored and deep pink—these cookies are shaped into flower petals with contrasting centers. Their delicate texture comes from a blend of all-purpose flour and cornstarch, with aromatic almond and vanilla extracts. Perfect for special occasions or a sweet afternoon surprise, these cookies maintain their charming shape thanks to a chilling step before baking.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies Dough

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (113g)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
  • 1 1/2 tsp almond extract (8g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (5g)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (260g)
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch (16g)
  • 1 tsp fine salt (6g)

Coloring

  • Deep Pink gel food coloring

Equipment and Miscellaneous

  • Electric stand or hand mixer
  • 2 large bowls
  • Rubber spatula
  • 2 large baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
  • Non-stick spray
  • Flat-bottomed glass or ramekin
  • Toothpick or scribe

Instructions

  1. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside. Do not preheat the oven yet.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar at medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes light in color and fluffy.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the large egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix at low speed just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure the dough is well combined without overmixing.
  5. Divide Dough: Using a rubber spatula, divide the dough evenly into two halves.
  6. Form Uncolored Dough Balls: Scoop out small portions (about 1/2 teaspoon each) from half the dough. Roll each portion into a ball by hand and place them onto one of the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Add Color to Remaining Dough: Add a squirt of deep pink gel food coloring to the remaining dough. Gently mix by hand with a rubber spatula until the color is evenly distributed without overmixing.
  8. Form Pink Dough Balls: Scoop out and roll the pink dough into 1/2 teaspoon-sized balls. Arrange these on the other prepared baking sheet.
  9. Arrange Flower Petals: Group five same-colored dough balls in a circle on each baking sheet, leaving a small center opening to form petals. Continue this to make 12 flowers of each color, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Reserve extra dough balls for flower centers.
  10. Flatten Petals Slightly: Spray the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass or ramekin with non-stick spray. Gently press it onto the cookie petals to flatten slightly and help the petals stick together after baking.
  11. Create Petal Details: Use a toothpick or scribe to draw two thin lines on each petal from the center outward, stopping halfway up the petal. This adds dimension to the petals.
  12. Add Flower Centers: Use reserved dough balls in the opposite color to place a small ball in the center of each flower, gently pressing it down to adhere.
  13. Chill the Cookies: Chill the entire baking sheets with arranged cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes to keep the shape during baking. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) during this time.
  14. Bake Cookies: Bake cookies one tray at a time for 11-12 minutes, until edges are set but not browned.
  15. Cool and Store: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Chilling the cookies before baking is crucial to maintain their flower shape and prevent spreading.
  • Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to avoid altering dough consistency.
  • Scooping dough with a 1/2 teaspoon ensures uniform-sized cookies for even baking.
  • If non-stick spray is unavailable, place a piece of parchment paper between the glass and dough when flattening petals.
  • The dough balls do not spread much, so spacing cookies about 2 inches apart is sufficient.
  • You can adjust the color intensity by adding more or less gel food coloring, keeping in mind that overmixing with a mixer can toughen the dough.

Keywords: flower cookies, almond extract cookies, pink cookies, spring cookies, decorative cookies, butter cookies

Find it online: https://famdishes.com/flower-cookies-recipe/