Description
Delightful sugar cookies bring sweet nostalgia straight from grandmother’s kitchen, promising pure comfort with each buttery bite. Crisp edges and tender centers invite bakers of all skill levels to enjoy this classic treat that celebrates simple, timeless flavors you can savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Decorative Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Optional: colored sprinkles or sanding sugar
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper and preheating the oven to 350°F.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and aerated.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until completely smooth and uniform.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up and make it easier to handle.
- Pour the reserved sugar for rolling into a shallow dish. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into smooth balls.
- Roll each dough ball in the sugar, ensuring complete coverage, then place on prepared baking sheets with 2 inches of spacing between cookies.
- Optional: Sprinkle additional colored sprinkles or sanding sugar on top of each cookie for extra visual appeal.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers appear set.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the cookie’s shape during baking.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother blending and more consistent cookie texture.
- Customize the recipe by adding different extracts like almond or lemon for unique flavor variations.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Create festive variations by adding food coloring to the sugar or using themed sprinkles for holidays.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 53 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg