Description
This recipe yields tender, bakery-style soft sugar cookies that are perfect for decorating because they hold their shape well after baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disk to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place the cutouts onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
- For the softest cookies, slightly underbake them. They will firm up as they cool.
- If the dough becomes too warm while rolling, return it to the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor in these simple cookies.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 95
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 35