Description
Classic Sugar Cookies offer a delightful balance of buttery richness and sweet, crisp edges with a soft center. This recipe produces 24 perfectly baked cookies that are easy to make and ideal for any occasion, featuring a simple mix of staple ingredients and a dusting of powdered sugar for a charming finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2.75 cups All-purpose flour (Sifted before measuring for a lighter cookie.)
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder (Leavening agent for fluffy texture.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda (Works with baking powder for lift.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Balances sweetness.)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter (Softened at room temperature.)
- 1.5 cups Granulated sugar (Adds sweetness and crisp edges.)
- 1 large Egg (Binds ingredients together.)
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract (Enhances flavor.)
Finishing
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar (For dusting or decoration.)
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.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, beating until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can result in tough cookies.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies evenly to allow spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and centers remain soft, ensuring a perfect texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Finish with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar or decorate as desired for a festive look and added sweetness.
Notes
- Sifting the flour before measuring ensures lighter, fluffier cookies.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough cookies.
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Try adding sprinkles or colored sugar before baking for a festive touch.
