Easy Sugar Cookies
These Easy Sugar Cookies are a quick and delightful treat combining a soft, chewy texture with classic buttery sweetness. Made with simple pantry staples and ready in under 30 minutes, they are perfect for snacks, celebrations, or baking fun with kids. Customizable with flavors and toppings, this recipe promises consistently tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies everyone will love.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes
- Total Time: 18 to 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and help even baking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air and sets the tone for soft, tender cookies.
- Add the Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, which enriches the dough’s flavor and gives it the right consistency.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients, stirring gently to form a smooth dough without overmixing.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll dough into small balls about the size of a tablespoon. Place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet. For a classic sugar cookie look, gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or your palm.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges appear set but the centers remain soft. Remember, the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and ensures a perfect texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help everything mix well and guarantee a smooth dough.
- Don’t overmix once the flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Chill the dough for 20 minutes to control spreading during baking.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizes to ensure even baking.
- Watch the baking time carefully; cookies can go from perfectly soft to overdone quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: sugar cookies, easy cookies, soft cookies, quick baking, buttery cookies, classic cookies, kid-friendly baking