Description
These soft sugar cookies are a delightful treat featuring a tender, buttery texture with a lightly crisp edge. Rolled in sugar for a sweet coating, they bake to golden perfection in just 10-12 minutes, making them perfect for a quick homemade dessert or tea-time snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 â…› cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks/227g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- â…” cup (130g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (85g) powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Rolling
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and fine salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape the Cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to portion the dough into 1.5-tablespoon balls. Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the additional granulated sugar to coat the surface evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Gently press each ball down slightly with the bottom of a glass or using your palm to flatten slightly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges appear set and just beginning to turn golden. The centers should remain soft and slightly underbaked for a tender texture.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without becoming hard.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to ensure the cookies remain soft and tender.
- Using room temperature butter makes creaming easier and results in better texture.
- Rolling the dough balls in sugar adds a light crunch and sparkle to the finished cookies.
- For an extra flavor twist, you can add lemon zest or a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
- Cookie dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours before baking, which can intensify the flavor and improve texture.
