Easy Joy Of Cooking Sugar Cookie Recipe: Sweet Perfection

Sweet sugar cookies whisper nostalgic memories of childhood kitchens and warm family gatherings.

Delicate ingredients blend seamlessly into a classic American treat that sparks immediate comfort.

Traditional baking methods transform simple pantry staples into magical edible experiences.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise a delightful textural adventure for cookie enthusiasts.

Homemade goodness radiates from each carefully crafted morsel, inviting sensory delight and culinary creativity.

Professional bakers and home cooks cherish these timeless, crowd-pleasing confections that transcend generations.

Subtle hints of vanilla and butter create an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen with pure happiness: Get ready to bake pure joy!

Top Perks of Sugar Cookie Recipe

• Capture Quick Comfort: These sugar cookies deliver pure, simple joy with minimal effort, perfect for beginner bakers wanting a foolproof sweet treat.
• Versatile Texture Delight: Enjoy soft, tender cookies with delicate golden edges that crumble perfectly in your mouth, offering a classic melt-in-your-moment experience.
• Speedy Sweet Solution: Whip up delicious homemade cookies in under two hours, making them ideal for spontaneous baking sessions, unexpected guests, or last-minute dessert cravings.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create something wonderfully delectable using basic pantry staples like butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla, transforming everyday ingredients into a crowd-pleasing treat without complicated shopping lists.

Key Ingredients for Sugar Cookie Recipe

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie with soft texture and structure.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy cookies.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, best when softened at room temperature.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden brown exterior.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

• No additional ingredients mentioned in the original recipe for decoration or frosting.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Warm up the oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F) to create the perfect baking environment.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder

Ensure all dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Use an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until smooth and creamy in a large mixing bowl.

• 1 egg
• Vanilla extract

Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Dough

Roll the dough into small round balls, approximately the size of a walnut.

Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Step 5: Bake Cookies

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for golden brown edges.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for a few minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve and savor these delightful homemade sugar cookies!

Expert Advice on Sugar Cookie Recipe

• Whip Butter to Perfection: Cream butter at room temperature until light and fluffy, creating a silky base for your cookie dough.
• Sift Dry Ingredients Strategically: Gently shake flour, baking soda, and baking powder through a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate lumps and ensure uniform mixing.
• Master Mixer Technique: Pulse electric mixer on low speed initially, gradually increasing to medium to prevent ingredient splatter and achieve smooth, well-incorporated frosting.
• Chill Dough for Crisp Edges: Refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to help cookies maintain sharp shapes and prevent spreading.
• Room Temperature Ingredients Matter: Pull eggs and butter out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to guarantee even mixing and optimal texture.

Sugar Cookie RecipeStorage Tricks You Should Know

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve freshness by using a vacuum sealer for sugar cookies. Remove air completely, preventing freezer burn and maintaining crisp texture. Works best with individually wrapped cookies or stacked with parchment paper between layers.
• Freezer Layering: Carefully stack cookies in a rigid container with wax paper separating each layer. Prevents crumbling and sticking during long-term storage. Ideal for batch baking and preserving holiday treats up to three months.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep cookies in a ceramic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Place a slice of bread inside to maintain moisture and softness. Ensures cookies stay delectable for 5-7 days without refrigeration.

Different Takes on Sugar Cookie Recipe

• Chocolate Chip Classic: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips into the dough before forming balls, creating a rich and sweet chocolate-studded version of the traditional sugar cookie.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Mix 1/2 cup of chopped almonds or pecans into the dough for an added texture and nutty flavor that complements the sweet base.
• Zesty Citrus Burst: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh orange or lemon zest to the dough and replace vanilla extract with corresponding citrus extract for a bright, refreshing cookie experience.
• Festive Sprinkle Celebration: Roll cookie balls in colored sprinkles before baking or dust with powdered sugar after cooling to create a fun, celebratory cookie perfect for holidays and special occasions.

Wrapping Up Sugar Cookie Recipe

Sweet memories dance on sugar cookie platters, connecting generations through classic American baking traditions.

Buttery, delicate rounds carry whispers of childhood comfort and family gatherings.

Homemade cookies spark nostalgia with each golden-edged bite.

Kitchen aromas promise delightful moments of pure pleasure.

Simple ingredients blend into magical treats that welcome smiles and warmth.

Craving these classic sugar cookies?

Share this recipe, sprinkle joy across social media, and let deliciousness inspire your baking adventure.

Joy Of Cooking Sugar Cookie Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet sugar cookies from traditional American baking delight taste buds with buttery richness and classic simplicity. Crisp edges and tender centers invite bakers to create memories of comfort and joy in one delectable treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder until completely integrated and free of lumps.
3. Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Incorporate the whole egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until smooth and well combined.
5. Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing at low speed until just incorporated to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
6. Gently shape the dough into uniform walnut-sized balls using clean hands or a cookie scoop, placing them approximately 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
7. Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges and a slightly set center.
8. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes to firm up slightly.
9. Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them cool completely to room temperature before serving or storing.

Notes

• Cold ingredients can sabotage your cake’s texture, so let butter and eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before starting.
• Sifting dry ingredients prevents lumps and creates a lighter, more uniform cake crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Cream butter and sugar until they become fluffy and pale, which incorporates air and helps the cake rise beautifully.
• Avoid overmixing batter after adding flour, as this can develop tough gluten and result in a dense, chewy cake.
• Rotate the cake pan halfway through baking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent uneven browning.
• Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
• Allow cake to cool completely in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to prevent breaking.
• Store frosted cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain maximum freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 208
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg