Description
These best easy sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly sweetened, perfect for any occasion. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a batch of delightful cookies ready in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal treat for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This step helps to aerate the dough for tender cookies.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined, incorporating moisture and flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt through the flour.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. For a decorative touch, gently flatten each ball slightly using the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar to give a subtle sparkle to the cookie tops.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges just start turning a light golden color, indicating they are perfectly baked but still soft inside.
- Cool the cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes to firm up. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Make sure butter is softened, not melted, to get the best texture in your cookies.
- If you want thicker cookies, chill the dough before baking.
- You can customize by adding sprinkles or dipping the flat glass in colored sugar for extra fun.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a festive touch, frost or decorate cookies once cooled.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
