My Favorite Sugar Cookies
User Reviews
4.5
My Favorite Sugar Cookies
Description
This sugar cookie recipe emphasizes a well-structured dough that combines softened butter with both granulated and powdered sugars to create a light, fluffy base. Adding eggs, vanilla, and optional almond extract enriches the dough, while lemon zest provides a fresh citrus undertone without overpowering the flavor. The flour, baking powder, and salt are incorporated last to bind the dough.
Chilling the dough before rolling helps the cookies retain their shape during baking, and rolling them out to about a quarter-inch thickness produces a soft but stable texture. Baking at 400°F (or 375°F if your oven runs hot) for a short duration results in cookies that are lightly golden but still soft and tender. The recipe's balance of ingredients and baking method yields cookies ideal for festive decorating or simple enjoyment.
Serving these sugar cookies alongside tea or as part of a dessert assortment would be fitting. Proper chilling and careful temperature control are key to maintaining the ideal texture and appearance.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups butter softened to cool room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 4 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
- 1 tablespoon lemon from about 1 lemon, zest
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar and powdered sugar for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using) and lemon zest; mix until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix just until flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth and soft.
- Press the dough into a thick disc on a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap until fully covered and refrigerate for several hours (or up to 2 days). *The dough can be rolled out right away; however the cookies won't hold their shape quite as well in the oven - if doing so, you'll need to use quite a bit more flour on the counter to make sure the dough doesn't stick.*
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If your oven bakes hot, reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly dust a counter with powdered sugar or flour and roll the dough to 1/4-inch or slightly thicker. If the dough has been chilled longer than a few hours, let it rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften enough to roll out.
- Cut the dough into shapes. Place the cookies several inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE! There should be no browning on the edges or the bottom of the cookies and the center of the cookies may look just slightly underdone.
- Let the cookies rest on the baking pans for 2 to 3 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost and sprinkle as desired.
Notes
- Maintaining a high baking temperature ensures cookies remain soft yet hold their shape well.
- If your oven runs hot, reduce the temperature to 375°F to prevent over-browning.
- Chilling the dough for several hours improves shape retention when rolling and cutting cookies.
- Rolling the dough on powdered sugar or flour helps prevent sticking without altering texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24-36 cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 cookie | |
| Calories | 267kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 236mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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