Classic Vanilla Cut-Out Sugar Cookies: Bake for a Cause with De’Longhi and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer

As the festive season twinkles into full swing, there’s a special joy that comes from baking. And what could be more delightful than whipping up a batch of delicious, buttery vanilla cut-out sugar cookies, knowing that every bite contributes to a profoundly important cause? Today, we’re not just sharing a recipe; we’re inviting you to join a movement, transforming simple ingredients into hope for children battling cancer.

Welcome to Day 7 of our ’12 Days of Cookies’ celebration, where we highlight recipes that bring warmth to your home and make a difference in the world. These exquisite Jackie’s Vanilla Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, a cherished recipe from the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Cookbook by Gretchen Holt-Witt, are more than just a sweet treat. They represent a tangible way to provide vital funding for pediatric cancer research, bringing smiles to those who eat them and hope to countless families.

The Heart of the Holidays: The Joy of Giving Back

This time of year is universally recognized as the season of giving. While receiving gifts certainly brings a thrill, there’s an undeniable, deep-seated joy that comes from the act of giving itself. That warm, fuzzy feeling we experience when we know we’ve made a positive impact on someone else’s life is truly unparalleled. It’s a sentiment I believe many of us share, and it’s particularly amplified during the holidays when empathy and generosity are often at their peak.

This year, we have an incredible opportunity to extend that spirit of giving beyond our immediate circles and contribute to a cause that touches so many lives. Baking these vanilla cut-out sugar cookies offers a double delight: the pleasure of creating something delicious and the profound satisfaction of knowing your efforts support a crucial mission.

De’Longhi’s “Days of Giving” Campaign: A Sweet Partnership for a Vital Cause

For Day 8 in our ’12 Days of Cookies’ series, I am incredibly proud to announce my partnership with De’Longhi in their inspiring Days of Giving campaign. This holiday season, from November 29th through December 20th, De’Longhi is demonstrating its profound commitment to corporate social responsibility by donating 10% of all site-wide sales from delonghi.us to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer (CFKC). This initiative provides a seamless way for you to make a meaningful difference while also perhaps treating yourself or a loved one to a premium kitchen appliance.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a non-profit organization dedicated to a singular, critical mission: funding research specifically for pediatric cancer. It’s a sobering fact that childhood cancer remains the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. Organizations like CFKC are at the forefront of the battle, working tirelessly to secure the resources needed to develop safer, more effective treatments. Your participation in De’Longhi’s “Days of Giving” directly supports these life-saving efforts.

Connect with De’Longhi and Support the Cause

Stay updated on De’Longhi’s campaigns and explore their range of innovative products:

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Exclusive Holiday Savings for a Good Cause!

As an added incentive to support this incredible cause, now through December 20th, you can receive an additional 30% off your entire purchase site-wide at De’Longhi when you use the special code word, “COOKIES“ at checkout! This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in high-quality kitchen appliances while simultaneously making a significant contribution to pediatric cancer research. So, let’s go shopping and make a difference!

The Inspiring Story Behind Cookies for Kids’ Cancer

The story of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is one of profound love, heartbreaking challenge, and incredible resilience. It was founded in 2007 by Larry and Gretchen Holt-Witt after their son, Liam, was diagnosed with childhood cancer. Confronted with the harsh reality of limited effective treatments for pediatric cancers due to a significant lack of funding, they were spurred into action.

Determined to make a difference, Larry and Gretchen pledged to support the funding of research for safer, more effective treatments for children battling this devastating disease. They also sought to create an accessible way for people of all ages, no matter where they lived, to get easily involved in this critical fight. What started as a small, bake-sale initiative quickly grew into a powerful national movement, proving that even the simplest acts of kindness – like baking cookies – can have an extraordinary impact.

More Sweet Inspiration: Delicious Sugar Cookie Recipes from Fellow Bloggers

Looking for more delightful sugar cookie ideas to add to your holiday baking repertoire or just to enjoy year-round? Explore these fantastic recipes from my talented fellow bloggers:

Key Lime Sugar Cookies from A Dash of Sanity
Brown Sugar Cookies from A Family Feast
Christmas Tree Cookies from Kerry Cooks
Mint Chip Sugar Cookies from Little Dairy on the Prairie
Stained Glass Sugar Cookies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Become a “Good Cookie” Today!

You too can become a “Good Cookie” by participating in De’Longhi’s Days of Giving or by directly supporting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. To learn more about this vital cause and to explore how your purchase can contribute, visit www.delonghi.us to shop their fantastic range of products. For comprehensive information about CFKC and to make a direct donation, please visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. I’ve already done my part and secretly purchased one of De’Longhi’s Combination Drip Coffee and Espresso Machines for my husband – don’t tell him!

Baking Brilliance with the De’Longhi Livenza Convection Oven

For today’s delightful baking adventure, I had the pleasure of using De’Longhi’s Livenza Convection Oven, which was provided for this post. And let me tell you, I was thoroughly impressed. This compact yet powerful oven truly simplifies the baking process, making it enjoyable and efficient, especially when you’re baking for a cause.

The Livenza Convection Oven is more than just a simple toaster oven; it’s a versatile kitchen workhorse. It comes thoughtfully equipped with a baking pan, a pizza pan, and two racks, ensuring you have everything you need for a variety of culinary tasks. But what truly sets it apart is its impressive range of functions:

• TOAST: Perfect for quick breakfasts or crispy snacks.
• BAKE: Ideal for cakes, muffins, and, of course, cookies!
• CONVECTION: For even cooking and faster results, a game-changer for uniform baking.
• BROIL/GRILL: Great for finishing dishes with a perfect golden crust.
• DEFROST: Conveniently thaw frozen items.
• PIZZA: My husband Kurt’s favorite feature, promising perfectly cooked pizzas every time.
• COOKIES: A dedicated setting ensures your cookies are baked to perfection.
• KEEP WARM: Keeps your culinary creations at an ideal serving temperature.

How incredibly cool and convenient is that? This oven is a testament to thoughtful design and functionality, making everyday cooking and special occasion baking a breeze.

A Personal Touch: My Experience with the Livenza Oven

I was particularly impressed with how quickly Jackie’s Vanilla Cut-Out Sugar Cookies baked in the Livenza. I utilized both racks to bake a larger batch, but this oven truly shines when you only need to make a few cookies and don’t want to heat up your large conventional oven. The convection feature ensures even heat distribution, resulting in beautifully golden and evenly baked cookies every time.

Kurt, my husband, was particularly excited about the dedicated Pizza function. “How do I make a pizza?!” he asked with an eager grin. “Well,” I replied, “you have to have a pizza to put in there, to begin with. When I get one, I’ll show you.” I can already tell that this oven is going to be a much-loved and frequently used appliance in our kitchen. And as a bonus, I won’t have to battle my old, finicky toaster to get my bagels out anymore!

This De’Longhi Livenza Convection Oven would make an ideal holiday gift for virtually anyone: individuals living alone who might not need a full-sized oven for daily meals, couples looking for efficiency, or any home cook who constantly finds themselves short on oven space, especially during holiday entertaining. It’s a versatile, reliable, and user-friendly appliance that elevates the cooking and baking experience.

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I discovered this delightful recipe for Jackie’s Vanilla Cut-Out Sugar Cookies in Gretchen Holt-Witt’s heartwarming book, ‘All the Good Cookies Cookbook’, on page 43. It’s a testament to simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special. And you, my dear readers, have a chance to WIN your very own copy of this inspiring cookbook! Keep an eye out for details on how to enter below.

Recipe: Jackie’s Vanilla Cut-Out Cookies

Created by: Lynne Feifer

Jackie’s Vanilla Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a classic, tasty treat perfect for any occasion, especially when decorated with royal icing. This recipe comes from the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Cookbook, and I proudly baked them in my De’Longhi Livenza Convection Oven.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• ½ lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups (about 1 lb.) confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder (powdered egg whites)
• 6 – 8 tablespoons warm water
• Assorted icing colors (gel food coloring recommended)

Instructions

For the Cookies:

1. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This should take about 3 minutes, ensuring air is incorporated for a tender cookie.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the pure vanilla extract and light corn syrup. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
3. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt. Continue to beat until the dry ingredients are just combined and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary to ensure uniform mixing.
4. Divide the cookie dough into three equal portions. Shape each portion into a flat disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and slightly flatten. Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour. For best results and easier rolling, you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days. The dough can also be frozen for up to 2 months; simply thaw in the refrigerator before use.
5. When you are ready to bake, preheat your De’Longhi Livenza Convection Oven. Set it to the “Cookies” setting and allow it to preheat for 10 minutes with both racks inside. This ensures the oven reaches a consistent temperature.
6. Line your oven racks or baking pans with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Carefully place the cut-out cookie shapes on the two oven racks, ensuring they are spaced about 1 inch apart to allow for even baking. Position the racks at positions 1 and 2 in the oven.
7. Bake the cookies for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully switch the positions of the two racks (move the top rack to the bottom and vice versa) to ensure even baking. Continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn a light golden brown.
8. Remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up before handling.
9. Repeat the baking process with any remaining cookie dough, ensuring the oven remains preheated.

For the Royal Icing:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder. Beat on low speed for about 30 seconds to thoroughly blend the dry ingredients.
2. With the mixer still on low, gradually add the warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together to form a thick, spreadable icing consistency.
3. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat the icing for approximately 6 minutes, or until stiff, glossy peaks form. The icing should hold its shape when you lift the whisk.
4. Divide the royal icing among several resealable containers or small bowls. Keeping the icing covered is crucial, as it hardens quickly when exposed to air.
5. Tint each container of icing with your desired gel icing colors, mixing thoroughly until you achieve the perfect shade.
6. When you are ready to decorate the completely cooled cookies, you may need to adjust the icing’s consistency. For flooding (filling in cookie outlines), dilute the icing by adding 1 teaspoon of water at a time, stirring well, until it reaches the consistency of heavy cream. For outlining and finer details, keep it thicker.
7. Always keep the icings covered when not in use to prevent hardening. Decorate your cookies as desired, allowing the icing to fully dry before stacking or storing.
8. Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months for longer freshness.

Notes:

Standard Oven Directions: If you are using a conventional oven without a dedicated “Cookies” setting, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough between two sheets of waxed paper or parchment paper to a scant ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake until the cookies just begin to brown on the edges, typically about 8-10 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheets halfway through the baking time for even cooking. After baking, cool the cookies on the sheet for 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with any remaining dough.

Win a Holiday Cookie Decorating Gift Basket!

Beyond the recipe and the heartwarming cause, I was also provided with a wonderful box of items to help with the making of these cookies. And here’s some exciting news: you can win your very own holiday cookie decorating gift basket! This basket is filled with delightful tools and treats to spark your creativity in the kitchen. Stay tuned for details on how to enter this fantastic giveaway – it’s the perfect way to kickstart your holiday baking!

If you enjoy Jackie’s Vanilla Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, you’ll also love these delightful cookie recipes:

Coconut Macadamia Sugar Cookies

Peppermint Frosted Sugar Cookies

French Butter Cookies

Cranberry Ginger Sugar Cookies

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of De’Longhi and Braun. The opinions and text are all mine.