Last weekend at our local farmers market, I watched children’s eyes light up over tiny, colorful treats, and it reminded me of these enchanting fairy cookies. There is something truly magical about a buttery, tender cookie topped with a swirl of sweet frosting and a generous handful of natural sprinkles. Making these brings back memories of simpler times in the kitchen, where pure ingredients like real butter and good vanilla created the most beautiful memories.
This recipe makes a wonderfully thick and soft cookie base that holds its shape beautifully when baked. The combination of vanilla and almond extracts gives them a nostalgic, bakery-fresh flavor that fills the whole house with the warmest aroma. They are cut into charming little triangles and finished with a creamy buttercream that practically melts in your mouth.
Natural Beauty and Nostalgic Charm
These fairy cookies are a celebration of simple, wholesome baking. The dough comes together easily with pantry staples, and the real magic happens when you taste that perfect balance of pure almond and vanilla. They are wonderfully thick, wonderfully soft, and yield beautifully clean edges when sliced. Plus, decorating them with naturally colored sprinkles makes them an absolute joy to share with family and friends.
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Fairy Cookies
- Total Time: 28 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These enchanting fairy cookies are thick, soft-baked delights featuring a classic almond and vanilla profile. Topped with a creamy buttercream frosting and vibrant natural sprinkles, they are the perfect whimsical treat for tea parties and afternoon gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Natural sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and creamy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, baking powder, and salt, beating until beautifully combined.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the flour, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a 1/2-inch thickness.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into triangle shapes approximately 3.5 inches long.
- Place the triangles on the baking sheet and bake for exactly 8 minutes until the edges are just barely golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- To make the frosting, beat the remaining butter until smooth, then slowly add powdered sugar until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Frost each cooled cookie with buttercream and finish with a heavy shower of natural sprinkles.
Notes
To ensure your cookies maintain their thick, clean edges, avoid over-mixing the dough once the flour is added. If your kitchen is warm and the dough feels too soft to cut into triangles, simply chill it in the refrigerator for ten minutes before rolling to help the cookies hold their shape perfectly during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Wholesome Ingredients for Magical Baking
The secret to these charming little triangles is using the absolute best quality ingredients you can find. Real, creamy butter is the foundation, giving the cookies their tender crumb and rich flavor.
- Real Butter: Use unsalted, room-temperature butter for both the dough and the frosting to get that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated & Powdered Sugar: Granulated sweetens the cookie base, while powdered sugar creates a light, fluffy frosting.
- Pure Extracts: A beautiful blend of pure vanilla and almond extract gives these a classic bakery taste.
- Flour & Baking Powder: Just enough all-purpose flour (3 cups) and baking powder to give them a soft, thick bite without spreading too much in the oven.
- Natural Sprinkles: Look for naturally dyed sprinkles colored with beet juice or spirulina for a vibrant, wholesome finish.
The Natural Process for Perfect Triangles
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until it looks light, fluffy, and perfectly creamy.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add in the egg, along with the pure vanilla and almond extracts. Keep beating until everything is beautifully combined, then mix in the baking powder and salt.
Step 3: Mix the Dough
Turn your mixer down to low speed. Gradually add the flour, mixing just until the dough comes together into a soft, beautiful mass.
Step 4: Roll and Cut
Transfer your dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a generous 1/2-inch thickness. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, slice the dough into charming triangle shapes, each about 3 1/2 inches long.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the triangles on a baking sheet and bake for exactly 8 minutes. You want the edges to turn a very light, golden brown. Let them cool completely.
Step 6: Whip the Frosting and Decorate
For the frosting, beat the remaining butter until perfectly smooth, then slowly add the powdered sugar until spreadable. Frost each cooled cookie with a teaspoon or two of buttercream and finish with a heavy shower of your favorite natural sprinkles.
Christine’s Tips for Flawless Cookies
When working with butter-based doughs, keeping your ingredients at true room temperature is vital for a smooth mix. If your kitchen is particularly warm and the dough feels too soft to cut clean triangles, just pop it in the fridge for ten minutes. The chill helps them bake up nice and thick, much like my favorite Swig sugar cookies. Be mindful not to overbake; they should look quite pale with just a hint of golden sunshine on the very edges. For even more nostalgic inspiration, you might also adore these beautiful fairy toast cookies.
Seasonal Swaps and Fresh Ideas
While I absolutely adore the traditional almond and vanilla pairing, you can easily change the flavor profile to match the seasons. In the springtime, a splash of lemon extract and some fresh lemon zest folded into the dough brings a bright, sunny flavor. If you want to lean into rich, buttery textures for winter, you might also love trying our butter spritz cookies. For the frosting, try using a splash of real freeze-dried raspberry powder to give it a gorgeous, natural pink hue without any artificial dyes. (If you happen to have Princess Bakery Emulsion on hand, simply swap out the extracts for one teaspoon of it for a classic bakery taste!)
Natural Presentation and Fresh Enjoyment
I love to serve these charming treats on a big wooden board or a vintage floral platter for afternoon tea in the garden. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea or a cold glass of milk. If you are hosting a whimsical birthday party or a spring picnic, stack them high alongside some fresh strawberries and a plate of our beloved dipped shortbread. The vibrant sprinkles and lovely triangle shapes make them an absolute standout on any dessert table.
Abundant Baking and Sweet Memories
Baking a fresh batch of fairy cookies is such a beautiful way to bring a little extra magic into your home. The wholesome ingredients, the comforting aroma of vanilla, and the joy of adding those colorful sprinkles make the whole process so rewarding. If you love baking with simple, beautiful ingredients, you should absolutely try our pecan snowballs next. I would love to see how your lovely triangle cookies turn out! Share your beautiful creations with me on Instagram or pin this recipe on Pinterest for your next sweet afternoon gathering.
