Description
Delectable sugar cookie recipe delights home bakers with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques. Crisp edges and sweet flavor make these cookies perfect for celebrations or quiet moments at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by heating oven to 350F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for even cookie placement.
- Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly blended.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and voluminous, creating a smooth base.
- Incorporate egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract into the butter mixture, blending until ingredients are fully integrated.
- Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently to create a consistent dough without overmixing.
- Dust work surface with flour and roll dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness, ensuring uniform cookie shape.
- Select cookie cutters and carefully press into rolled dough, transferring shaped cookies onto prepared baking sheets with gentle precision.
- Place cookies in preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of perfect doneness.
- Remove cookies from oven and transfer to wire cooling racks, allowing them to reach room temperature before decorating with preferred toppings.
Notes
- Precision matters when measuring flour; use the spoon and level method to avoid dense cookies.
- Consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain crisp shapes.
- Swap almond extract with other flavor variations like orange zest or lemon extract for unique taste profiles.
- Use gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute for all-purpose flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 114 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 56 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg