Sugar Cookies Recipe
Sugar Cookies Recipe yields buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are easy to bake, fun to decorate, and perfect for any season.
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour King Arthur Flour is recommended
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ensures lift without grit
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt balances sweetness
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch secret to a tender crumb
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar C&H sugar recommended
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Nielsen-Massey recommended
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional for nutty depth
- colored sanding sugar, royal icing, or sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch; set aside.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until fully combined and glossy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients to form a soft dough—avoid overmixing.
- Shape dough into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place shapes on baking sheets, sprinkle with colored sugar if desired.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set and golden. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
- Cool cookies on the sheets before transferring to wire racks for decorating.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading. Sift dry ingredients for a smooth dough texture. Use a digital scale for accurate measurements.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal
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