Description
Sugar cookie magic unfolds with these melt-in-your-mouth delights that bring pure sweetness to your kitchen. Crisp edges, buttery centers, and simple ingredients make these classic treats perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups (315 g / 11 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
Flavoring and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Decorative Ingredients:
- Sprinkles
- Colored sugar
- Royal icing or frosting
Instructions
- Position oven rack in the center and heat to 350F (175C), ensuring consistent temperature throughout the baking process.
- Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for even cookie placement.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale in color.
- Gently incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the wet ingredients are completely integrated and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, eliminating any potential lumps and ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Use clean hands or a cookie scoop to form uniform dough balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter, and arrange them evenly across the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly press each cookie sphere using the tines of a fork or the flat bottom of a glass, creating a gentle indentation and slightly flattened shape.
- For added visual appeal, sprinkle colored sugar or decorative sprinkles across the cookie surfaces before baking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of doneness.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, enabling them to firm up slightly.
- Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and ensuring a crisp exterior.
- Serve cookies plain or embellish with royal icing, buttercream frosting, or additional decorative sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie edges.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother, more consistent dough texture.
- Customize by adding different extracts like almond or lemon for unique flavor variations.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg