Teresa's Recipes
Classic Sugar Cookies
These delightful classic sugar cookies are the epitome of sweetness, featuring a soft and buttery texture that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're celebrating a holiday, hosting a party, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness, or decorate them with icing for a festive flair. Dating back to the early 19th century, sugar cookies have become a staple in American baking, cherished for their simplicity and versatility.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (softened) Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- for dusting Powdered sugar
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 17g
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Sugar: 8g
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough sticks, dust with a little more flour.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.
Tips
- For a fun twist, try adding colored sprinkles or icing to decorate the cookies.
- You can also substitute almond extract for vanilla for a different flavor profile.
- For a festive touch, shape the cookies into holiday-themed figures during special occasions.