To make easy sugar cookies, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Here's a step-by-step guide to making the cookies:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the dough in half. Take one portion and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them.
Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining dough.
Optional: If desired, you can sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar or decorations before baking.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, so keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cookies have cooled, you can decorate them with icing, frosting, or sprinkles, if desired.
Enjoy your homemade sugar cookies!