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My Favorite Sugar Cookies

From ingredients to enjoyment, this recipe makes it easy to create something wonderful.

Prep Time
1 hr 25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 33 mins
Servings: 24 -36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies:
  • 1 ½ 1 ½ cups butter softened to cool room temperature
  • 1 ½ 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 4 4 large eggs
  • 1 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
  • 1 1 tablespoon lemon zest from about 1 lemon
  • 5 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar and powdered sugar for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix just until flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth and soft.
  4. 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.*
  5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. If your oven bakes hot, reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F.
  6. 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.
  7. Cut the dough into shapes. Place the cookies several inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  8. 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.
  9. Let the cookies rest on the baking pans for 2 to 3 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Frost and sprinkle as desired.

Notes

  • Baking Temp: the baking temperature for this recipe may seem high but I believe it is one of the keys to success. The cookies still remain soft and light because they bake for such a short time (and they keep their shape really well!). If your oven bakes hot, reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. 

Nutrition Information

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24-36 cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% 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.