Description
These Best Easy Sugar Cookies are classic, buttery, and delightfully soft with a slight crisp around the edges. Perfect for any occasion, they are quick to prepare and ideal for decorating or enjoying plain with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a mixer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined to provide moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt through the flour.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet spacing them about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar for a decorative finish and a bit of extra crunch.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color, signaling they are done but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them firm up and prevents sogginess.
Notes
- For softer cookies, do not overbake; remove them as soon as the edges begin to turn golden.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping can help prevent spreading during baking.
- You can add sprinkles or colored sugar before baking for festive decoration.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to a week.
- These cookies can be decorated with icing or used as a base for sandwich cookies with frosting fillings.
