Sugar and Spice Cookies

Sugar and Spice Cookies

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Today is a special day… Why? Because today we are having a baby shower for Jamie from My Baking Addiction!

I’ve “known” Jamie for quite a while… I think I probably knew her before she knew me. You see, she is a far more fabulous blogger than I am… She is the authority on all things baking, and I have been reading her site for forever. And, her photographs? They are absolutely gorgeous.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jamie in person at the Big Summer Potluck a few years back. And, as it turns out (and as I always suspected), she is even sweeter and fabulous in person.  She was kind enough to keep me company and hang out with me even though I was rather pregnant and rather cranky. I sincerely hope our paths cross again soon so that we can catch up!

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In addition to a love for all things baking, Jamie and I have something else in common… Our blog names are somewhat similar. We both get the same crazy pitches for TV shows about people who eat laundry detergent and other strange things and emails about rehab facilities. And, on occasion, there are people who think that I am Jamie… I always consider it a huge honor. And, then I promptly correct them and send them on their way to one of Jamie’s fabulous recipes!

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When I started thinking of what to bake for Jamie’s baby shower, the popular rhyme came to mind… “What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, And everything nice. That’s what little girls are made of.”  Sounds like the start of a lovely recipe, doesn’t it?

I’m hoping Jamie will enjoy these sugar and spice sugar cookies (they’ll be arriving on her doorstep in a day or two!)… I’ve added just a bit of spice to a traditional sugar cookie.  Instead of just using granulated sugar, I’ve also added some brown sugar since I love how the caramel and molasses-y flavor pairs with the warm spices.

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I chose to decorate the cookies for Jamie, but you could also just slather them with a bit of buttercream and sprinkle them with some spiced sugar.  They’d also make an adorable cookie sandwich, too.

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My inspiration for these cookies actually came from a pair of Maddie’s pajamas.  She has a cozy pair of cream colored flannel PJs with a cute pink and brown leopard print pattern.  I decided to try my hand at the leopard print (every little lady needs some leopard print in her life, right?) and then use that color scheme to decorate the rest of the cookies.

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Want to see what other bloggers are baking up for Jamie and her sweet little girl? Don’t miss these great recipes!

Amber from Bluebonnets & Brownies | Lemon Strawberry Cupcakes
Julie from The Little Kitchen | Pistachio Pudding Cupcakes
Shaina from Food for My Family | Vanilla Raspberry Mini Meringue Kisses
Glory from Glorious Treats | Modern decorated cookies
Cheryl from TidyMom | Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Buttercream
Katie from Good Life {Eats} | Raspberry Hibiscus Soda
Aimee from SimpleBites | How to freeze a big batch of homemade waffles
Amanda from I am Baker | Heath Bar Cake
Steph from Steph Chows | PB Oatmeal cookies
Allison from Some the Wiser | Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Megan from Stetted | Strawberry Jalapeno Palmiers
Shelly from Cookies & Cups | Bacon Cheddar Scones
Emily from Jelly Toast | Meyer Lemon Scones
Kristan from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen | Samoa Layer Cake

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Sugar and Spice Cookies
Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground ceylon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Royal icing or frosting of your choice

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Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners and set aside.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom in a small mixing bowl.  Set aside.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.  Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise.  Scrape the seeds out and add them to the creamed mixture.  Add the egg and vanilla extract and then continue to beat on medium speed for an additional 1 – 2 minutes, until the egg is well incorporated.

While mixing on the lowest setting, gradually add the flour mixture.  Mix just until the flour is incorporated. Gather up the dough and divide it into two sections.  Roll each portion of dough out to 1/4-inch thickness.  Use a cookie cutter to cut cookies out of the dough and transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet. Gather any scraps and re-roll the dough as necessary.

Bake the cookies for about 14 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn a golden brown.  Cool the cookies on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or decorating.

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29 comments

  1. Amanda says:

    Oh my gosh… these are ADORABLE!!! Seriously the cutest. I love the theme and everything about them!

  2. Jen, these are so cute! Having been the recipient of some of your cookies when a baby is impending, I can tell you that they’re exactly what the doctor ordered. Thank you for celebrating Jamie!

  3. TidyMom says:

    These are just ADORABLE Jen!! Perfect for Jamie and her little bit of sugar! ;)

  4. You are one talented lady! I love the leopard print! I think Clara needs some in her life. ;) Great job, Jen. xox

  5. Paula says:

    Brilliant! Sugar cookies with brown sugar and spices for a (girl) baby shower, love this idea. Your designs are adorable, great job on the leopard print and I love the little lace detail on the sleeper. Congratulations to Jaime. She’s is going to adore this wonderful cookie collection.

  6. JulieD says:

    These are so cute and I’m dying over the leopard onesie!! Ahhh!

  7. Allison says:

    Oh my goodness! These are so cute! I can’t think of anything more perfect for a baby shower.

  8. katie says:

    Oh my these are too darling! You are so talented–love all the little details!

  9. Such a “sweet” set!! I love the leopard print and the whole “Sugar and spice” theme is super cute!!

  10. Oh my goodness, the leopard print onesies are amazing!! So stinking cute and how perfect for the baby shower! Love, love, love these :)

  11. Shaina says:

    So cute. The onesies are adorable!

  12. That leopard print is seriously insanity!!! You are amazing!!

  13. Oh My Gosh, Jen! These cookies are incredibly adorable and I’m pretty certain Baby E has a onesie that matches the leopard print perfectly. You are so talented and I am so happy that you ladies put together such a special shower for us! :)

  14. I absolutely LOVE these cookies… ADORABLE!

  15. Heather says:

    I wish I were so talented! So cute!

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