I made Claire Saffitz’s holiday sugar cookies for Christmas.
I’ve always been a long-time fan of Claire Saffitz and all her baking antics. From the golden age of Gourmet Makes, (at Bon Appetit), to now her popular personal channel, Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person, Claire has constantly won the hearts of bakers and non-bakers alike with her very real and very honest approach to baking, cooking, and life in general.
One reason I feel I can trust Claire’s recipes however is because she develops recipes with home baking in mind. Not everyone has access to a commercial kitchen or commercial equipment, and it seems that two of Claire’s foundational rules on recipe developing is, “Can any average Joe make this at home?”, and “How can I make this recipe use the least number of bowls as possible?” As a fellow person who despises washing dishes, thanks Claire.
As with my relationship with baking, I grew to enjoy it as a kid because if I made the desserts, I had a right to eat them. Our household rarely had any sweets, and baking was the way for me and my sister to satisfy our sugar cravings.
There is an element of devious simplicity in baking. Measurements are very exact and as long as you follow the directions to the tee, you can’t go wrong. However, make one mistake and you might have wasted 2 hours of your life, on a food that is subpar. But, when you get everything right, it is divinely satisfying eating something you made with care and attention.
Claire’s recipe for sugar cookies is very easy and simple, and yet has so much potential for personal touches; flavor or decoration-wise. I wanted to spread some Christmas joy to friends and family in 2021, so I decided on this recipe to be that vehicle.
Even though I made it for Christmas, this recipe can be adapted for any holiday or occasion with the right cookie cutter and icing colors. If you want to make it, watch Claire’s video here.
TurtleHobby’s Recipe Review
Claire Saffitz – Sugar Cookies
How Easy? 4/5
Very easy dough to make and manage but can be tricky in warm kitchens.
Is it a Looker? 5/5
Looks great with simple decorations, yet a great canvas for more complex designs.
What’s the Flavor? 4.5/5
Not overly sweet, simple flavor, and has a nice, tender snap. Icing is slightly lemon flavored which contrasts the cookie’s butter and sugar flavor profile. Can add spices or other flavored extracts to dress it up.
