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Perfect Sugar Cookies Recipe

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3.8 from 13 reviews

These Perfect Sugar Cookies are a classic, soft, and buttery treat that bake up beautifully with a delicate texture and subtle vanilla flavor. Ideal for decorating or enjoying plain, they offer a foolproof recipe that ensures consistent results every time. With a tender crumb and just the right sweetness, these cookies are perfect for any occasion, from holiday celebrations to everyday indulgences.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon good quality salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup Challenge unsalted butter (2 sticks, room temperature)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside to be incorporated later.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract for about one minute until fully combined and smooth.
  4. Incorporate dry ingredients: Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, being careful to add gradually to avoid flour flying out of the bowl.
  5. Mix dough: Continue blending until all the flour is incorporated. The dough will appear crumbly at first but will begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl as it comes together.
  6. Shape dough: Remove about half the dough from the bowl and knead gently by hand just enough to form a smooth ball. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface or on plastic wrap as preferred.
  7. Cut cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
  8. Chill dough: Place the entire baking sheet with unbaked cookies into the freezer for 5 minutes to firm them up before baking.
  9. Preheat and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, adjusting time depending on size and thickness.
  10. Check doneness: Cookies are done when the tops are no longer shiny; they won’t show much browning.
  11. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about a minute, then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating or serving.

Notes

  • Use good quality vanilla extract for best flavor; you can experiment with other flavors like almond or lemon as alternatives.
  • Chilling the cookies before baking helps them maintain their shape and enhances texture.
  • Room temperature butter is crucial to properly cream with sugar and achieve the right cookie texture.
  • Be careful when adding flour to avoid creating a flour cloud, add slowly and mix steadily.
  • Cookies can be decorated once completely cooled with icing, sprinkles, or left plain.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/perfect-sugar-cookies-recipe/