Get ready to bake the best sugar cookies of your life with this Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe! Here's what you'll need:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
These simple ingredients come together to create a deliciously soft and chewy sugar cookie that will be your new go-to recipe for any occasion. Make sure to have them all on hand before you start baking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Are you ready to bake the Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe that everyone will love? Follow these simple steps to make the best ever sugar cookies!
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Step 4: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Baking Time and Temperature
When it comes to making the Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe, getting the baking time and temperature just right is crucial for achieving that perfect chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before you start mixing your cookie dough. The ideal temperature ensures that the cookies bake evenly without burning on the bottom.
Once your cookie dough is ready, it's time to start baking! Place your cookie dough balls evenly spaced on a lined baking sheet, making sure they have enough room to spread out while baking. Depending on the size of your cookies, bake them for 8-10 minutes for small cookies and 10-12 minutes for larger cookies. Keep a close eye on them towards the end to prevent overbaking.
After the baking time is up, carefully remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step allows the cookies to set and achieve the perfect texture. Once cooled, you can enjoy your Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe with a glass of milk or pack them up for gifting to friends and family!
Decorating Tips and Ideas
Once you've baked the cookies from your Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe, it's time to get creative with the decorating! Here are some tips and ideas to make your sugar cookies truly special:
One easy way to decorate sugar cookies is to use royal icing. This icing dries hard, making it perfect for intricate designs and details. You can use piping bags with different sized tips to create beautiful patterns, or simply dip the cookies in the icing for a smooth finish. Add food coloring to the icing to create different colors and shades.
Another fun idea is to use sprinkles, edible glitter, or colored sugars to add some sparkle to your sugar cookies. Simply sprinkle the decorations on top of the icing before it sets, or use a small brush to paint the icing with edible glitter for a magical touch. You can also use cookie cutters to create shapes and designs on the cookies, then fill them in with icing or sprinkles.
If you're feeling extra creative, try using fondant to add 3D decorations to your sugar cookies. Roll out the fondant and use cookie cutters to create shapes, then attach them to the cookies with a little bit of icing. You can also use small cookie cutters to create cutouts in the fondant, revealing the icing underneath for a beautiful effect.
