No need to complicate it – sugar cookies are a breeze! You’ll need just a few ingredients to make ’em. Here they are:
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
Whip ’em up and enjoy the best sugar cookies ever!
Flour
To make the best sugar cookies, you need the right flour. Flour affects texture, taste, and whether your cookies will rise. All-purpose or cake flour can be used. But all-purpose gives a better result.
When you measure the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup. Don’t scoop it directly out of the bag. Level the flour with a butter knife. Add in a bit more air to get a slightly heaping measurement. This will make sure your cookies turn out fluffy!
Sugar
Granulated and caster sugars are both great options when it comes to baking easy sugar cookies. Granulated sugar is made from either beet or cane sources and its large crystals help create a nice texture and color in the finished product. On the other hand, caster sugar is more finely ground and it dissolves quickly. This makes it a great choice for first time bakers who don’t have much time to whisk the cookie dough. Both types of sugar provide sweetness and will ensure an evenly sweet batch of cookies every time!
Baking powder
Baking powder is a leavening agent used to create carbon dioxide gas bubbles. This helps dough and batter rise, especially for small cookies which can’t do it on their own. It’s a mix of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar. But be careful! Too much baking powder can give the finished product a metallic taste.
When measuring it for this recipe, try using a spoon that’s slightly smaller than usual. This should help avoid overmeasuring.
Salt
Salt plays an important role in this recipe. It balances the sweetness of the cookies and boosts the flavor of the other ingredients. Salt also suppresses bitterness. Try adding a bit more or less than the recipe suggests. For instance, if your sugar isn’t very sweet, adding more salt will give a better balance between sweet and savory.
Butter
Butter is a must-have for yummy sugar cookies. Pick quality butter for the best texture and taste. Unsalted butter is great for adding sweetness and flavor. The fat content makes the cookie nice and soft. With quality ingredients, you can try out different flavors.
When buying butter look for a creamy color. Opt for organic or premium brands for richer flavor.
Eggs
Eggs are widely used in cooking and baking. You can find them in the dairy or baking aisle of most supermarkets. Depending on age, they can range in size from 3 ounces to 2 1/2 ounces. Whole eggs consist of the white and yolk. The white contains protein and fat, whereas the yolk has cholesterol and fat. Egg whites are high in protein and low in fat.
Nutrition-wise, eggs have many benefits. They are low in calories but packed with vitamins A, B5, B12, E, choline, selenium, protein, calcium and phosphorus.
When adding eggs to a recipe, you need to consider the size. Two large eggs are equal to three extra-large ones or four medium ones. This can replace four tablespoons of liquid when mixed into doughs or batters. For recipes using just whites or yolks, take into account that organic eggs may be bigger. So, keep this in mind before you begin preparing the recipe.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is a must for many baking recipes, like sugar cookies. It gives them a sweet, classic taste. Plus, it helps the dough keep its shape while baking.
When buying vanilla extract, pick pure vanilla, not imitation. Imitation won’t have much flavor, and may even taste bad. Avoid any labeled ‘vanilla flavored’, they usually have artificial flavors and chemicals. Pure vanilla extract is expensive when measuring, so feel free to use almond or another favorite instead.
Directions
Gather up the bits for yummy sugar cookies! You need:
- Butter
- White sugar
- One egg
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Now, to make these scrumptious cookies!
Preheat oven to 375°F
To start, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the oven racks in the middle of the oven. This will ensure an even bake and the cookies won’t stick or break when you take them out.
Now, it’s time to mix the cookie dough!
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt
Grab a medium bowl. Mix together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Use a whisk. Blend the ingredients well and break up any clumps of sugar or flour. Set aside until you’re ready to use it!
In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar
Grab a bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream together softened butter and sugar on medium speed. Start by adding one cup of sugar. Beat until light and creamy. Gradually add remaining sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat until mixture is light in color and texture. It should be lighter than when you started. Add flavoring like vanilla extract if you want. Mix until combined.
The result? A smooth sugar-butter paste that spreads easily on wax paper or any other hard surface.
Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined
Add 3 large eggs + 1 tsp of real vanilla extract to the bowl with butter, sugar and cream. Use a hand or stand mixer to mix on medium speed until egg and vanilla are combined with the dough. When done, the mixture will have a yellowish hue. No mixer? No worries! Beat with a wooden spoon – it just requires more effort.
Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms
Mix soft butter and sugar in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy. Reduce speed. Add an egg. Mix until combined.
In a different bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and tapioca starch (or cornstarch). Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until a dough forms. Add flavorings (vanilla is common). Chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut shapes with cookie cutters or knife. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned around edges. Allow cookies to cool. Decorate or serve. Enjoy!
Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet
Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Refrigerate for 30 mins. Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit (190 Celsius).
Mix butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla extract.
In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually blend wet ingredients with dry ingredients.
Make 1-inch balls with the dough and place on greased baking sheets. Leave 2 inches between them. Bake for 8-10 mins. Let cool for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to cooling rack. Enjoy!
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden
Chill your dough. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). 10 minutes.
- Place 6-8 cookie dough pieces on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll out in ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place on ungreased baking sheets. Leave 1 inch of space between each cookie.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly golden brown. Test after 8 minutes.
- Cool for a few minutes before transferring to cooling racks.
- Enjoy!
Tips
No need to be confused when making sugar cookies! Use these great tips to make yummy, soft, and fluffy cookies. Here’s how:
- For the best results, use butter and make sure it’s at room temperature.
- Add plenty of flavorings such as vanilla extract or almond extract.
- Finally, chill the dough for around 30 minutes before baking.
Enjoy your perfect sugar cookies!
For a sweeter cookie, add an extra tablespoon of sugar
For a sweeter cookie, try adding an extra tablespoon of sugar to the dough. Incorporate it until it’s evenly mixed throughout. A small amount can make a big difference in the flavor! Plus, adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance sweetness without too much sugar.
When baking, it’s important to be exact. Use level measurements and double-check that ingredients aren’t packed down. This will help you get consistent results each time. Precision is key for perfect cookies!
For a chewier cookie, add an extra tablespoon of butter
Toss an extra tablespoon of butter into your sugar cookie recipe for a scrumptious chewy texture. Get creative with ingredients, like brown sugar, nuts, and choc chips for unique textures. More ingredients means more dense and chewy cookies.
Beat the butter till it’s light and airy, then incorporate the dry ingredients. Add an egg yolk too, for flavor and moisture. And, if you’re feeling fancy, dip the finished cookies in melted choc chips! Top with sprinkles or white chocolate curls for a stunning presentation.
With this secret ingredient, your cookies will be soft and chewy – guaranteed!
For a crispier cookie, bake for an extra minute or two
To get crunchy cookies, follow the instructions. Usually, 8-10 minutes baking and until the edges turn golden brown. Some recipes may need an extra minute or two for a crispier cookie. Try baking for two more minutes to get that perfect texture. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake. The first batch might require more experimentation as ovens vary in temperature.
For 9 minutes recipes, try two extra minutes. Enjoy your crispy cookies!
