Description
Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies are a timeless treat perfect for any occasion. These buttery, soft cookies have a delicate vanilla and almond flavor, rolled in sugar for a sweet, crisp edge. Easily decorated or enjoyed plain, they’re ideal for holiday baking or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
Additional
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder thoroughly. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar together for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract into the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until fully combined to infuse the dough with rich flavor.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms with no visible flour patches.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into workable portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, placing them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Roll in Sugar: Dip the edges of each cookie into the ¼ cup granulated sugar to add a sweet, crunchy border and enhance texture.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes in the preheated oven until the edges are lightly golden. Remove and allow them to cool completely on wire racks before decorating or serving.
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies should be just golden at the edges to maintain a soft center.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- For a stronger almond flavor, you can increase the almond extract slightly or omit it for a purely vanilla taste.
- These cookies can be decorated with royal icing, sprinkles, or left plain with just the sugar-coated edges.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
