Are you craving the irresistible taste of homemade sugar cookies but intimidated by complicated recipes? Fear not! This recipe uses vegetable shortening for a delightfully tender crumb, making these cookies incredibly easy to whip up, even for beginner bakers. Get ready to enjoy a batch of melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that will have everyone asking for more. This recipe offers a simple approach to homemade cooking, perfect for busy weeknights or delightful weekend baking. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a delicious alternative to store-bought cookies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) vegetable shortening, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream Together Shortening and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened vegetable shortening and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is easiest with an electric mixer, but can be done by hand with a little elbow grease. The key is to get the mixture thoroughly combined and airy.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well incorporated before moving on to the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 4: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)
For the best results, cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows for easier handling.
Step 5: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each.
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 7: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with your favorite icing, sprinkles, or other toppings.
Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies:
- Softened Shortening: Make sure your shortening is truly softened, but not melted. This ensures proper creaming and a tender texture.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is key for preventing spreading and making the cookies easier to handle.
- Baking Time: Oven temperatures can vary, so keep a close eye on your cookies and adjust baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Flavored Sugar Cookies: Add a teaspoon of almond extract, lemon extract, or peppermint extract for a unique flavor twist.
- Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough before chilling.
- Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced cookie.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 100-120
- Fat: 5-7g
- Sugar: 8-10g
Enjoy your delicious homemade sugar cookies! These easy recipes are perfect for any occasion and will surely become a family favorite. They are also great for gifting, making them an ideal addition to your homemade cooking repertoire for any time of year. Remember to share your creations with us!