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Best Easy Pencil Sugar Cookies for First Day of School

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These adorable pencil-shaped sugar cookies are perfect for the first day of school. With a buttery vanilla flavor, a dark cocoa ‘lead’ tip, and a pink frosting eraser, they’re a fun and delicious treat that kids and teachers will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • Pink gel food coloring
  • Yellow sanding sugar or yellow gel food coloring
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix on low until just combined—about 30 seconds.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients in three additions, mixing until just combined after each.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into three portions: roughly ⅔ of the dough for the yellow pencil body, ⅙ for the pink eraser, and ⅙ for the dark tip. The remaining ⅙ will be used for the silver band.
  5. For the yellow portion: Knead in yellow gel food coloring or roll the dough in yellow sanding sugar until evenly colored.
  6. For the pink portion: Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring and knead until the color is even.
  7. For the dark tip: Combine the cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon of flour, then knead this mixture into the reserved dough portion until fully incorporated.
  8. Leave the remaining portion plain. This will be the silver band.
  9. Place a sheet of parchment paper on your work surface. Roll the yellow dough into a rectangle about 6 inches wide, 8 inches long, and ¼ inch thick.
  10. Roll the dark cocoa dough into a thin log, about 6 inches long and ½ inch thick.
  11. Roll the pink dough into a rectangle about 3 inches wide, 6 inches long, and ¼ inch thick.
  12. Roll the plain dough into a thin strip about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long.
  13. Place the yellow rectangle on the parchment paper with the long side facing you. Position the dark cocoa log along the left edge of the yellow rectangle, pressing it gently into the dough. Roll the yellow dough tightly around the cocoa log.
  14. Place the plain dough strip (the silver band) along the right edge of the yellow roll, pressing it gently to adhere. Next, place the pink rectangle (the eraser) against the plain strip, rolling it up to form the eraser end.
  15. Wrap the entire log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
  16. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  17. Remove the dough log from the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into ¼-inch thick rounds.
  18. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  19. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just set and the bottoms are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  20. Optional: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and a drop of pink gel coloring to make pink frosting. Pipe a tiny dot on the eraser end of each cookie.

Notes

Chill the dough thoroughly for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading. Use a sharp knife for clean slices. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and add an extra tablespoon of flour. For dairy-free, use vegan butter sticks. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pencil cookies, sugar cookies, back to school cookies, first day of school cookies, lunchbox cookies, butter cookies, vanilla cookies, school treats, easy sugar cookies, slice and bake cookies

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