Are you craving the comforting sweetness of a perfectly baked sugar cookie? The kind that melts in your mouth, leaving a delightful sugary trail? Then look no further! This recipe takes inspiration from the classic Betty Crocker style, offering a simple, delicious, and foolproof method for creating these beloved treats. Perfect for holiday baking, afternoon tea, or any time you need a little sweetness in your life, these sugar cookies are guaranteed to become a family favorite. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, 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
- Optional: Sprinkles, colored sugars, or other decorative toppings
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is best achieved using an electric mixer, but you can certainly do it by hand with some elbow grease! The key is to incorporate plenty of air for a tender cookie.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent for perfectly light cookies.
Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
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 can lead to tough cookies.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial. Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies.
Step 6: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Roll and Cut Cookies
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Re-roll the scraps to minimize waste.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 9: Cool and Decorate
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with your favorite sprinkles, colored sugars, or icing.
Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened but not melted. This ensures proper creaming and a tender crumb.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix only until combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling is essential for preventing spreading and achieving the perfect texture.
- Don't Overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies while they bake. Overbaked cookies will be dry and hard.
Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for warm, spiced sugar cookies.
- Chocolate Lovers: Add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for delicious chocolate sugar cookies.
- Citrus Twist: Add the zest of one lemon or orange for a bright, citrusy flavor.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 100-150 (depending on size and toppings)
- Fat: 5-7g
- Sugar: 10-15g
These easy-to-follow instructions will guide you to create batches of delightful homemade sugar cookies. Enjoy the process and the delicious results! This recipe provides healthy baking inspiration for beginners and experienced bakers alike looking for quick dinner ideas and the best recipes. Making homemade cooking more accessible and fun is our goal, providing simple, delicious dishes. Happy baking!