Description
Classic Sugar Cookies are soft in the center with slightly crispy edges, perfect for any occasion. These American-style cookies combine a rich buttery base with a delicate balance of sweetness and a hint of vanilla, making them a timeless dessert favorite.
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)
Optional
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar (For dusting or decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 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, use an electric mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated to add moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and toughening the cookies.
- Portion dough: Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them out to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft.
- Cool cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Decorate: Once fully cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar or decorate as desired to finish.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking results in firmer cookies and enhances the flavor by allowing the ingredients to meld.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to ensure the cookies remain tender.
- For softer cookies, bake closer to 8 minutes; for crispier edges, bake closer to 10 minutes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: classic sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, vanilla sugar cookies, American cookies, baking cookies, holiday cookies, easy sugar cookie recipe
