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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
- In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder until completely integrated and free of lumps.
- 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.
- Incorporate the whole egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until smooth and well combined.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges and a slightly set center.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheets for 2-3 minutes to firm up slightly.
- 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