Effortlessly Elegant: The Ultimate Guide to Easy No-Chill Champagne Cookies with Pink Buttercream
Prepare to dazzle your guests and delight your taste buds with these exquisite, easy-to-make champagne cookies! This fantastic recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and, best of all, absolutely no chilling of the dough – making your baking experience truly effortless. Each delightful champagne sugar cookie is beautifully adorned with a luscious, perfectly pink champagne buttercream frosting, infusing every bite with a sophisticated, celebratory flavor and a touch of vibrant charm. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll find this recipe straightforward and incredibly rewarding.
The moment I discovered champagne extract, I knew I had to create a dessert that perfectly captured its unique flavor and captivating aroma. These cookies, which I recently perfected, are designed to be a show-stopping addition to any festive occasion. Their incredible taste, wonderful fragrance, and charming pink hue make them an instant favorite. If you’re a fan of sparkling sensations, you’ll also adore our Champagne Cupcakes {With Champagne Buttercream Frosting} and refreshing Champagne Jelly Shots, both of which feature that irresistible bubbly essence and delightful pink color profile.
These champagne sugar cookies stand out as a truly exceptional treat because they are:
- Shape-Holding Wonders: Unlike many sugar cookie recipes that spread, these cookies maintain their intricate shapes beautifully during baking, ensuring your decorative efforts pay off perfectly.
- No-Chill Convenience: Forget the waiting game! This recipe eliminates the need for chilling the dough, allowing you to go from mixing bowl to oven in record time. It’s ideal for impromptu baking or when you’re short on time.
- Effortlessly Easy: Crafted with common pantry staples, these cookies are incredibly simple to prepare. You won’t need any special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients to whip up a batch of these delightful treats.
- Decorating Dream: Their firm yet tender texture and ability to hold shape make them the perfect canvas for cookie decorating. Whether you prefer simple frosting or intricate designs, these cookies are a joy to adorn.
- Versatile for Any Celebration: From festive New Year’s Eve parties and romantic Valentine’s Day gatherings to heartfelt Mother’s Day brunches, elegant weddings, and cherished anniversaries, these cookies are ideal for a multitude of occasions, adding a touch of sophistication and joy.
Table of Contents
- How To Make Champagne Cookies From Scratch?
- What Kind Of Champagne To Use In Baking?
- Creative Variations For Pink Champagne Cut Out Sugar Cookies
- Expert Tips And Techniques For Perfect Champagne Cookies
- Storage Solutions For Freshness
- More Delightful Cookie Recipes
How To Make Champagne Cookies From Scratch?
Creating these delightful champagne cookies is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps for perfect, tender, and flavorful treats:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Begin by creaming your room temperature butter and granulated sugar together in a mixing bowl. Beat them until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolk, sour cream, and champagne extract to the creamed mixture. Mix these wet ingredients thoroughly until they are fully combined and the mixture is smooth and cohesive. The sour cream adds a vital touch of moisture and richness.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients Separately: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough, leading to a consistent bake.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Mix until you achieve a rough, crumbly consistency. Avoid overmixing at this stage, as it can lead to tough cookies.
- Knead into Dough: Use your hands to gently knead the crumbly mixture together. It will quickly come together to form a smooth, pliable ball of dough. If it feels a little dry, a slight dampening of your hands can help.
- Roll Out and Cut Dough: Place the dough between two sheets of wax paper. This ingenious trick prevents the dough from sticking to your rolling pin and makes for easy transfer. Roll the dough to your desired thickness (about ¼ inch is ideal) and use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer your cut-out cookies to a baking sheet. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 6 minutes. Then, rotate the tray for even baking and continue to bake for another 3 minutes, or until the edges are firm and lightly golden brown.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before applying any frosting or decorations.
- Frost and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, it’s time for the fun part! Generously ice your champagne sugar cookies with the prepared pink champagne buttercream frosting. Add sprinkles or other decorations, and get ready to enjoy these beautiful and delicious treats!
What Kind Of Champagne To Use In Baking?
When it comes to infusing your baked goods with that delightful champagne essence, you have a variety of options, and a few tips can help you choose the perfect one. While you can use almost any type of champagne or sparkling wine, considering your preference for sweetness is key. If your palate leans towards truly sweet desserts, opt for a sweeter champagne, often labeled “Doux” or “Demi-Sec.” These varieties will impart a richer, more sugary note to your cookies.
Conversely, if you prefer a less sweet, more subtle flavor profile in your baked goods, a Brut champagne is an excellent choice. Brut, meaning “dry,” will provide the characteristic effervescent notes without overwhelming the cookies with additional sweetness. A fun and reliable rule of thumb is to simply use a champagne you enjoy drinking. If you like the taste of it in a glass, you’ll likely appreciate its nuanced flavor in your cookies too! For an added layer of visual appeal and a slightly berry-like undertone, I particularly adore using rosé champagne in this recipe, which naturally complements the pink frosting.
Creative Variations For Pink Champagne Cut Out Sugar Cookies
These pink champagne cut-out sugar cookies are fantastic on their own, but they also serve as a wonderful base for creative variations. Here are some ideas to make them even more special:
- Embrace Themed Cutters: While I used a classic star-shaped cutter, don’t hesitate to get creative with your shapes! A champagne bottle or glass-shaped cutter would be absolutely perfect for brunches, baby showers, engagement parties, or of course, New Year’s celebrations.
- Experiment with Color: The pink hue is lovely, but you can easily change the color of your cookie dough by adding a few drops of gel food coloring. Imagine elegant gold cookies for an anniversary, blue for a baby shower, or a rainbow of colors for a whimsical party!
- Add a Sprinkle of Joy: Incorporate sprinkles directly into the cookie dough for a festive pop of color and texture. Gold, silver, or rainbow-colored sprinkles can transform these cookies into an even more fun and celebratory treat. You can also add them generously on top of the frosting.
- Introduce Citrus Zests: Elevate the flavor profile by adding finely grated zests. Orange, grapefruit, or lemon zest can provide a bright, zesty counterpoint to the champagne flavor, adding a layer of sophisticated complexity.
- Vanilla Bean Boost: For a more rounded flavor, consider using a combination of vanilla extract and champagne extract. The classic warmth of vanilla complements the unique notes of champagne beautifully.
- Dazzle with Edible Glitter or Spray: To make these cookies truly sparkle, finish them with edible pearl, gold, or silver spray, or dust them with edible glitter. These edible adornments will make your cookies even more dazzling and photo-worthy.
- Infuse Strawberry Flavor: For a delightful fruity twist, use a combination of strawberry and champagne extract. You can even mix in some freeze-dried strawberry powder into the cookie dough for a more intense berry flavor and a natural pink tint.
Expert Tips And Techniques For Perfect Champagne Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality champagne cookies at home is entirely possible with these essential tips and techniques. Pay close attention to these details for the best possible results:
- Understand the Batch Size: This recipe is designed as a small batch, yielding approximately 8 medium-sized cookies. It’s perfect for a quick treat or a small gathering. However, if you’re planning a larger party, you can easily double or triple the recipe without any issues or changes to the ratios.
- Precision in Measurements is Key: Baking is a science, and unlike cooking, measurements need to be exact. Do not eyeball your ingredients. Using proper measuring cups and spoons, and even a kitchen scale for flour, will ensure you achieve the intended texture and flavor. Slight variations can drastically alter the outcome.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Non-Negotiable: Always ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This is crucial because room temperature ingredients emulsify more smoothly, creating a homogeneous and evenly textured dough. Cold ingredients can lead to a lumpy batter and a denser, less tender cookie.
- The Magic of Sour Cream: Do not omit the sour cream from the recipe. It plays a vital role in adding unparalleled moisture and richness to these cookies, preventing them from becoming dry or crumbly. While you could technically substitute with full-fat cream cheese or thick Greek yogurt, sour cream consistently yields the best, most tender results.
- Troubleshooting Dry Dough: If, during the kneading process, your dough feels overly dry and crumbly, don’t fret. Simply dampen your hands with a little water and continue kneading. The added moisture from your hands will help bring the dough together, making it pliable and easy to work with.
- No Chilling? Yes, Really! One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is that no chilling is necessary for the champagne sugar cookie dough. You truly heard that right! This saves a significant amount of time and effort, allowing you to bake and enjoy your cookies much faster.
- Effortless Rolling with Wax Paper: To prevent the dough from sticking to your rolling pin and to make for a cleaner workspace, always roll the dough between two sheets of wax paper. This technique also makes it incredibly easy to transfer the cut-out shapes to your baking sheet.
- Monitor Baking Time Closely: Baking time will naturally vary depending on the thickness of your cookies and your specific oven. Keep a close eye on them. You’ll know the cookies are perfectly baked when their edges turn a light golden brown and they feel firm to the touch.
- Where to Find Champagne Extract: Champagne extract, a key ingredient for that authentic bubbly flavor, can typically be found online through retailers like Amazon. Some specialty baking stores might also carry it.
- Freezing Cookie Dough for Later: If you want to get ahead or have extra dough, this champagne cookie dough freezes wonderfully! Store it in an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking as usual.
- Storing Leftover Champagne Frosting: Don’t waste any of that delicious champagne buttercream! Leftover frosting can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Bring it to room temperature and re-whip briefly before using.
- Rotate Your Baking Tray: For a consistently even bake across all your cookies, make sure to rotate your baking tray halfway through the baking time. This helps compensate for any hot spots in your oven, ensuring all cookies are perfectly golden and none get burnt.
Storage Solutions For Freshness
Proper storage ensures your delicious champagne cookies remain fresh and flavorful for as long as possible:
- Room Temperature: For short-term storage, keep your frosted champagne cookies in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To prevent sticking and preserve their decoration, place sheets of wax paper between layers of cookies.
- Refrigerate: To extend their freshness, especially if your frosting contains dairy or if your kitchen is warm, store the cookies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freeze (Unfrosted): If you plan to store them for longer, it’s best to freeze the cookies unfrosted. Place the baked, cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then frost and decorate as desired.
More Delightful Cookie Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed these champagne cookies and are looking for more delicious baking inspiration, be sure to explore some of our other fantastic cookie recipes. There’s always a perfect cookie for every mood and occasion:
- New Year’s Cookies: Start the year right with these festive and fun treats!
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies: Rich, vibrant, and perfectly crackled – a true classic.
- Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies {With Chocolate Chips}: A healthier twist on a beloved favorite, perfect for a quick craving.
- Cotton Candy Cookies {With Cake Mix}: Whimsical and incredibly easy, these colorful cookies are sure to bring a smile.
- Triple Chocolate Cookies {Chewy & Fudgy}: For the ultimate chocolate lover, these are chewy, fudgy, and intensely satisfying.
Recipe
Champagne Cookies
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
Champagne cookies
- ¼ cup Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- ⅓ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Egg yolk From a large egg
- 1 tablespoon Sour cream Full fat
- ½ tablespoon Champagne extract/flavoring
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Baking powder
Champagne buttercream frosting
- ½ cup Butter Unsalted, room temperature
- ½ cup Vegetable shortening
- 4 cups Powdered sugar
- ¼ cup Champagne Alcoholic or non-alcoholic
- 1 teaspoon Champagne extract/flavoring
- Pink gel coloring
Decoration
- White edible pearls
- White sprinkles
Instructions
Cookies
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In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
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Add egg yolk, sour cream and extract and mix until smooth.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
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Dump this dry mixture into the wet mixture and mix until you have rough crumbly mixture.
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Now, use your hands to knead the mixture into a ball of dough.
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Roll out the dough between two sheets of wax paper and cut out shapes with cutters.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 6 minutes. Then, rotate your tray and bake for another 3 minutes until cookies are golden brown and firm along the edges.
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Allow the cookies to cool down completely.
Frosting
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In a deep bowl, mix together butter and shortening until smooth.
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Add champagne and extract and mix again.
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Add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time), while continuing to mix until frosting is light and fluffy.
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Finally, mix in some pink gel coloring.
Assembling
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When the cookies have cooled down completely, use a spatula to spread some frosting on top of each cookie.
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Toss some sprinkles on top of each cookie and enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- The recipe can easily be doubled.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container between sheets of wax paper at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.