Basic Sugar Cookies

Name: Basic Sugar Cookies
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 dz.
Ingredients: 2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 1/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 3/4 c. granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

By The Good Housekeeping Test KitchenPublished: Aug 2, 2019

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Ellie Miller

Yields:

4 dz.

Total Time:

45 mins

Use this simple sugar cookie dough as the base for any sweet treat.

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Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Step 1In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and then vanilla.
2. Step 2Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Shape dough into 2 disks and roll each between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 1/8 inch thick. Chill until firm, 30 minutes in refrigerator or 15 minutes in freezer.
3. Step 3Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using floured cookie cutters, cut out cookies. Place on prepared sheets. Reroll, chill, and cut scraps.
4. Step 4Bake, rotating positions of baking sheets halfway through, until cookies are light golden brown around edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.