Description
Delicious classic sugar cookies that are tender and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar: Start by placing the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. The color should turn pale, and the texture should be airy. This step builds the cookie’s structure and ensures they’re perfectly tender.
- Add egg and vanilla: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. This adds richness and that classic, cozy aroma we all love.
- Add the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or stir gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix—just until the flour disappears.
- Chill the dough (if shaping): If you’re planning to roll and cut out shapes or use cookie stamps, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. If you’re piping the dough into swirls or rounds, you can do it right away, as long as your butter wasn’t overly soft.
- Shape or pipe the cookies: For classic rounds, scoop a tablespoon of dough and roll into balls, flattening them slightly on the baking sheet. For decorative cookies, use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe rosettes or S-shapes. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake to golden perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Keep an eye on them—slightly golden edges are perfect, but overbaking can make them too crunchy.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Their texture improves even more as they cool.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the cookie shape during baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg