Get ready to experience the most mouthwatering, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies that will transport you straight back to grandma's kitchen! These classic American treats are so simple to make, yet so incredibly delicious that they'll become your new go-to dessert for every occasion. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this foolproof recipe guarantees perfectly soft, sweet cookies topped with a luscious vanilla frosting that will have everyone begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when the cookies are ready to bake.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents throughout the flour.
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare the easy vanilla frosting. In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Using a whisk or an electric mixer, blend the ingredients together until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread a generous amount of frosting on top of each cookie using a spatula or a butter knife.
- For a decorative touch, you can sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top of the frosting if desired. This adds a festive look to your cookies.
- Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before serving or storing the cookies in an airtight container. Enjoy your delicious old-fashioned sugar cookies with easy vanilla frosting!
Tips
- • Make sure your butter is truly softened but not melted - this ensures the perfect cookie texture • Don't overmix the dough, as this can make your cookies tough and dense • Use room temperature ingredients for more consistent mixing • Space your cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart to prevent them from merging while baking • Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting • For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of almond extract to the frosting • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness for up to 5 days • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if you want slightly thicker cookies
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
