The “baking therapy” discussed on this blog refers to my personal experience using baking as a self-help and relaxation tool.”

Original Author: Galilee’s Goodies Galore (1996) & Rosanna Pansino

Nostalgic Hashtag Sugar Cookies 💖

Hey everybirdy!

Today we are doing a total mash-up! I’m taking a recipe I grew up with—personally known as the “Pink Cookbook Sugar Cookie“—and combining it with the fun hashtag idea from Rosanna Pansino. These are massive batches of nostalgia and creativity all rolled into one.

Baking these cookies is a huge part of my baking therapy routine because this specific dough doesn’t require hours of chilling. It’s perfect for when you need to get into the kitchen now. However, it is a “slow-burn” therapy; because it makes so many cookies, you’ll find yourself in a meditative rhythm of rolling, cutting, and decorating. It’s a moment to let your mind wander while your hands stay busy.

📋 Pro Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies

• The “No-Chill” Secret: While you don’t have to chill this dough, make sure you use all 6 cups of flour. It helps the consistency stay firm enough to handle without sticking to your hands.
• The 8-Minute Rule: I always bake my first batch for exactly 8 minutes. You can always add time, but you can’t take it away! Look for the bottoms to be just barely browned.
• Butter vs. Shortening: You can use margarine or vegetable shortening if you’re out of butter. There is literally no taste difference once the nutmeg is added, so use what you have!

🛒 Essentials (Ingredients)

For the Pink Cookbook Dough:

• 1-1/4 cup Butter (softened)
• 2 cups Sugar
• 2 large Eggs
• 6 cups King Arthur All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 4 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup Milk

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 large Egg whites
• 4 cups Powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp Cream of tartar
• 1 tsp Honey (for that perfect shine!)
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract

Visit my Patreon for a free post featuring the full Walmart price breakdown for this budget-friendly bake!

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cream Butter & Sugar:

Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add your eggs one at a time and beat until the mixture is airy.

2. Whisk Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg.

3. Combine:

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until well combined.

4. Roll & Cut:

Flour your surface well and roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into hashtags or spell out words using strips of dough.

5. Bake:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 8 minutes (check at 7 for later batches). Let cool completely on a wire rack.

6. Make the Icing:

Beat egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar for 5–6 minutes until thick. Stir in honey, salt, and vanilla for another minute.

7. Decorate:

Frost your cookies and remember the key is just to have fun and laugh off any mistakes!

❓ Common Baking Questions (Q&A)

Q: Can I use a different spice instead of nutmeg?
Robby: Nutmeg is what makes the “Pink Cookbook” recipe special, but cinnamon or even a little cardamom would be a delicious twist!

Q: My dough is still too sticky to roll, what do I do?
Robby: Don’t be afraid to add a little extra flour a tablespoon at a time. You want to be able to handle it without it sticking to your fingers.

Q: How many cookies does this actually make?
Robby: A lot! Depending on the size of your hashtags, expect anywhere from 75 to 100 cookies. It’s perfect for a big gathering.

[Image of Finished Hashtag Cookies]

Final Thoughts

These cookies are like people—no two are exactly alike, and that’s what makes them special. Whether you’re cutting perfect shapes or just “eyeballing” the thickness like I do, the goal is to enjoy the process.

I hope you enjoy the recipe and find it as relaxing as I do. See you all next time! Happy baking!

Print Pin

Sugar Cookie

The only sugar cookie recipe that I have known since the time I would help my mom make them.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Cookies, Favorite Recipe, Sugar Cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 28 minutes minutes

Servings 100 Cookies

Author Triple G or Pink Cookbook

Cost $0.04 per cookie or $3.37 per batch

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup soft butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 6 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ cup milk

Directions

• Cream your soft margarine and sugar together in a large bowl until smooth, then add the eggs and beat until the mixture is nice and fluffy.
• Stir your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. The ground nutmeg is the secret here, it adds a wonderful, cozy aroma to your kitchen.
• Alternately add the dry mixture and the milk to your creamed mixture, blending gently until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels a bit too sticky to work with, just mix in a little extra flour until it’s easy to handle.
• Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a well-floured clean countertop or a cutting board if you don’t have a specialized pastry cloth. Cut the dough into whatever shapes make you happy.
• Bake at 375°F for about 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, you want them soft and just set, not overly browned.Let them cool on wire racks.
• This single, incredibly generous batch easily yields 75 to 100 cookies, making it perfect for sharing, freezing, or enjoying over a long week.