Sugar Cookie Cake Recipe

Sugar Cookie Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
• 2-3 tbsp coarse sugar (for topping)
• For Frosting:
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (more if needed)
• Pinch of salt
• Food coloring (optional, for decorating)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or use a pizza pan for a "cookie pizza") or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Egg and Extracts:
Add the egg and vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using) to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
Press Dough into the Pan:
Transfer the dough to the prepared cake pan. Press it evenly into the pan using your fingers or a spatula to ensure the dough is spread out evenly.
Optional Topping:
Sprinkle the top of the dough with coarse sugar (like sugar in the raw or sparkling sugar) for a nice sparkle and a slight crunch.
Bake:
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown, and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Cool:
Allow the sugar cookie cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost and Decorate:
Once the cookie cake has cooled, you can decorate it with frosting. If you’re using the frosting, spread a smooth layer on top of the cooled cookie cake. You can use a simple buttercream frosting (recipe below) and even add food coloring to make it festive.
Simple Buttercream Frosting:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (more if needed)
Pinch of salt
Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy.
Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Add the heavy cream or milk, a little at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
If you’d like to color the frosting, divide it into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl.
Spread the frosting over the cooled sugar cookie cake and decorate as desired.
Decoration Ideas:
Simple Design: Use frosting to write a message (like “Happy Birthday”) or pipe simple borders or rosettes around the edges.
Sprinkles: Add colorful sprinkles or edible glitter for a fun, festive look.
Themed Decorations: Decorate with themed items like candy, chocolate chips, or fruit, depending on the occasion.
Cookie Crumbs: Crumble up some extra sugar cookies on top of the frosting for extra texture and flavor.
Tips for a Perfect Sugar Cookie Cake:
Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture. Mix just until combined.
Chill the dough (optional): If the dough is too soft to work with, chill it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes before pressing it into the pan.
Avoid overbaking: Since this is a cookie cake, you want it to remain soft and chewy in the center. Check for doneness by looking for golden edges and a set center. If you insert a toothpick, it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve slices of the sugar cookie cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.
Pair it with a warm beverage like milk, hot chocolate, or coffee for a comforting dessert experience.