Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe
These Easy Sugar Cookies are classic, soft, and chewy treats perfect for any occasion. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, and vanilla, these cookies are rolled in sugar for a delightful crunch on the outside while staying tender inside. They bake quickly and are ideal for sharing or storing for later enjoyment.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For Rolling
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter on medium speed for 1 minute until smooth. Add 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar and beat together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stop once to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure even mixing and continue beating.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the large egg and the additional egg yolk along with the pure vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until all ingredients are well combined, resulting in a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. The dough may appear crumbly at first, but will come together as you mix.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Place the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Using about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie, shape dough into balls and roll each ball in the sugar until well coated. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are light golden brown and the cookies begin to crack on top. Check often toward the end to prevent overbaking, which would make cookies less soft and chewy.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter to ensure proper creaming with sugar for a lighter cookie texture.
- The dough may seem crumbly but will hold together once baked.
- Check cookies early when baking since oven temperatures vary, to avoid overbaking and maintain softness.
- For a festive touch, add sprinkles or colored sugars before baking.
- These cookies freeze well—freeze baked cookies in a single layer before stacking to avoid sticking.
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