Craving the warm, buttery goodness of homemade sugar cookies but don't want a mountain of them? This small batch sugar cookie recipe is your answer! Perfect for a cozy night in, a special occasion for two, or simply satisfying a sudden sweet craving without the leftovers, these cookies are quick, easy, and undeniably delicious. Get ready to bake up some happiness! This recipe is a perfect example of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas if you're looking for something sweet to top off the meal.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream Together the Butter and Sugar
In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Use an electric mixer for best results, but a good old-fashioned whisk will work too! This step is crucial for achieving that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 2: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla
Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing will result in tough cookies.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 5: Roll and Cut
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly flour a clean work surface. Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. If you don't have cookie cutters, you can use a knife to cut out simple shapes.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
Place the cut cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops generously with the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as oven temperatures can vary.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious homemade sugar cookies! These small batch cookies are the perfect homemade cooking project for a delicious dish, ideal for even beginner bakers looking for easy recipes.
Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, but not melted. This will ensure proper creaming and a tender cookie.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing spreading and ensuring perfectly shaped cookies.
- Adjust Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the dough before chilling.
- Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
- Glazed Sugar Cookies: Once cooled, drizzle your favorite icing over the cookies.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 100-120
- Fat: Approximately 5-7g
- Sugar: Approximately 8-10g
This small batch sugar cookie recipe is perfect for those seeking healthy meals (in moderation, of course!), easy recipes, and quick dinner ideas with a sweet twist. Enjoy baking!