You know, sugar cookies have a special place in my heart. I remember the first time I baked them with my grandma. The kitchen filled with that warm, sweet aroma, and we’d sneak bites of dough when we thought no one was looking—oh, the joy! This classic sugar cookie recipe I’m sharing is so simple yet absolutely delicious. You’ll find it’s wonderfully easy to whip up a batch, whether it’s for a cozy night in or a festive occasion. Trust me, once you get the taste of that buttery, sugary goodness, you’ll be hooked! Plus, they’re a blank canvas for creativity—add sprinkles, icing, or even a hint of lemon zest if you’re feeling adventurous. Get ready to make some sweet memories!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple ingredients to create your delightful sugar cookies. Trust me, you’ll love how easy it is to find everything!
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Make sure your butter is nice and soft—this helps in creaming it with the sugar for that perfect texture!
How to Prepare Sugar Cookies
Now, let’s get into the fun part—making those scrumptious sugar cookies! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying your warm, buttery treats in no time.
Preheat the Oven
First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is super important because it ensures that your cookies bake evenly. Trust me, no one likes a doughy center, right? So, let that oven heat up while you prepare the cookie dough!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps ensure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. You want to avoid any surprises of baking soda lumps in your cookies—yikes!
Cream Butter and Sugar
In another large bowl, it’s time to cream together that softened butter and white sugar. Grab your electric mixer or a good old-fashioned whisk, and mix until it’s smooth and fluffy. You’re aiming for a light, airy consistency here—think clouds of sweetness! If you can’t resist tasting a little, I won’t blame you!
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is well combined—this is where the magic starts to happen! The vanilla adds that lovely aroma that fills your kitchen with happiness.
Blend Ingredients
Now, it’s time to gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. I like to do this in parts to avoid a flour explosion! Just add a little at a time, mixing until you have a smooth, cohesive dough. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s soft and slightly sticky—just how sugar cookie dough should be!
Shape the Cookies
Grab a rounded teaspoonful of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the balls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving some space between them. Now, here’s a fun trick: flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass that you’ve dipped in sugar. This gives them that signature sugar cookie sparkle and a nice little crunch!
Baking Process
Pop your cookie sheets into the oven and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them—when the edges are lightly golden, they’re done! You want them to be soft in the center, as they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Cooling the Cookies
Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This helps them set just right while still being delightfully warm. I could eat them straight off the rack, but patience is key—let them cool completely before diving in!
Tips for Success
To make sure your sugar cookies turn out perfectly every time, I’ve got some tried-and-true tips that’ll help you avoid common pitfalls. Trust me, a little attention to detail goes a long way!
- Measure Accurately: Use a kitchen scale if you have one! Too much flour can lead to dry cookies, and nobody wants that. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off for the most accurate measurement.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies, and we want them soft and tender!
- Chill the Dough: If you find your dough is too sticky to handle, don’t hesitate to chill it for about 30 minutes. This makes rolling and shaping the cookies a breeze!
- Watch the Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Take them out when the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still soft.
- Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the dough for a fun twist! Just make sure to adjust the sugar slightly if you add something sweet.
- Store Properly: To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and sweet for days!
With these tips in your back pocket, you’re ready to bake the most delicious sugar cookies that’ll impress everyone! Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk about the nutritional side of these delightful sugar cookies! While they’re a sweet treat, it’s always good to know what you’re indulging in. Here’s an estimated breakdown per cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 70mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates, and can vary based on exact ingredients used. So, enjoy your cookies and share them with friends—they’re worth every delicious bite!
FAQ Section
How do I store sugar cookies?
To keep your sugar cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This helps maintain their soft texture and sweet flavor. If you want to keep them extra fresh, you can also place a slice of bread in the container—this little trick keeps the cookies from drying out! Just make sure they’re completely cool before storing, so they don’t get soggy.
Can I freeze sugar cookies?
Absolutely! Freezing sugar cookies is a great way to have them on hand for whenever a sweet craving strikes. Once your cookies are completely cooled, layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw them at room temperature for a couple of hours, and they’ll taste just as good as fresh!
What can I use instead of butter?
If you’re looking for a butter alternative, you can use coconut oil, margarine, or even applesauce for a healthier twist. Coconut oil will give a subtle coconut flavor and keep your cookies nice and tender. Margarine works similarly to butter, although it may alter the taste slightly. If you’re using applesauce, substitute it in a 1:1 ratio for a lower-fat option, but keep in mind that it may make your cookies a bit softer. Each alternative will give your cookies a unique spin, so feel free to experiment!
Why You’ll Love This Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for last-minute gatherings!
- Endlessly customizable; add your favorite sprinkles or mix-ins!
- Soft, buttery texture that melts in your mouth.
- Perfect for any occasion, from holidays to bake sales.
- Kids and adults alike will love decorating and eating them!
- Simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- Great for making memories in the kitchen with family and friends.
- They store well, so you can enjoy them for days to come.
Sugar Cookie Bliss: 7 Tips for Perfectly Sweet Treats
- Temps Total: 25 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A classic sugar cookie recipe that is simple and delicious.
Ingrédients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Let cool on wire racks.
Notes
- For a festive touch, add sprinkles before baking.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 70mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 3g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 1g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 30mg
Mots-clés: sugar cookie, dessert, baking
