Description
This recipe produces soft, buttery sugar cookies with a strong vanilla flavor profile, achieving a rich, ‘nectar-like’ taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for depth)
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. If using, add the almond extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the dough.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out desired 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 lightly golden brown. For softer cookies, bake closer to 8 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For the most intense vanilla flavor, use high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
- If you want cookies that hold their shape well for decorating, chill the cutouts on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- To achieve a richer, more ‘buttery’ taste, use European-style butter if available.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 75
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 25