How Long To Bake Soft Sugar Cookies
Mine baked just enough at 7 minutes, but keep an eye on them to see how they do in your oven. I removed mine when they had spread nicely, looked just done enough without looking undercooked, and the edges werent quite golden.
These sugar cookies are the perfect example of a treat that doesnt have to be fancy to be awesome. In fact, I think something simple like this is one of the most impressive things when done well and right. And these are SO right!
The Best Frosting For Sugar Cookies
Let your cookies cool and then they are ready for frosting. We use our Best Buttercream Frosting recipe with these Best Sugar Cookies. The frosting is easy to color and tastes so delicious and yummy on these Sugar Cookies. You will have all the tips and tricks to make this yummy homemade sugar cookie frosting right here.
Tips For The Best Cookies
Although this soft sugar cookies are super easy to make, there are a few simple tricks you can use to make sure that your cookies come out perfectly. Heres what I recommend:
- Make sure your butter is the right temperature. Room temperature can be a little misleading if your house is too warm or too cool. Your butter shouldnt be so soft that your finger goes right through it if you press on it, but it should also be able to make an imprint. If it wont, or it barely does, its likely too cold still.
- Be sure to use just two tablespoons of brown sugar. It adds just enough additional moisture to the cookies to help them spread correctly and stay soft and chewy for days!
- Dont over mix the dough after you add the flour. It can over develop the gluten and cause the cookies to not spread as nicely or be tough.
- Make sure your cookie dough balls are 1 1/2 tablespoons each or youll want to adjust the baking time. I also found that size to be just right for spreading well.
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Why Do My Cookies Keep Coming Out Flat
It is common for cookies to turn out flat because butter that is too soft or melted is the bad guy. Spreading cookies is made easier by this. You should also be careful not to hold back when measuring flour dont let your hand go to the side. Adding an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour to the dough if too little flour was an issue would be helpful.
Troubleshooting Best Sugar Cookie Recipe
Scooping and dumping your flour may be the problem! Even with level scooping measurements can vary. Try getting a digital kitchen scale and adding your ingredients by weight.
If your cookies seem to consistently need a longer or shorter baking time consider calibrating your oven with an oven thermometer.
Bake with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Invest in a small metal cookie spatula to transfer cookies.
If left on the counter top for about an hour your butter should be the right consistency- a finger pressed onto the butter will make a slight indent but not sink down into it.
Whenever a recipe calls for room temperature butter you should use room temperature eggs. To take the chill off of eggs I place them in a shallow bowl of warm water for 2-3 minutes. You can then crack them for use in your recipe.
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Can I Store The Cookies Or The Dough In The Freezer For Later
Yes! You can keep the unbaked dough, or baked cookies without any frosting, in the freezer for up to 3 months, as long as it is contained in an airtight container.
If you are wanting to freeze baked cookies, make sure to separate them with layers of parchment paper so they dont stick together. You can thaw them out in the fridge or at room temperature.
No Bake Cookies Recipe
These No Bake Cookies dont require, flour, eggs, or an oven. Chocolaty, creamy, with a little crunch, and super addictive. It doesnt get much easier!
When you live in a super hot summer climate like I do, you basically never want to turn on your oven for four months. That makes cooking and baking a challenge. And I dont want to cant go through four months without cookies.
My friend Kerry gave me this No Bake Cookie recipe years ago in college when I didnt know how to cook. I think it was actually one of the first recipes I ever made on my own. And now I have my kids help me make them!
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How To Freeze Sugar Cookies
You can freeze the cookie dough balls BEFORE baking and you can freeze the baked cookies! I always love having a well stocked freezer.
To freeze the cookie dough: Roll the sugar cookies into balls and place on a baking sheet. Freeze the balls for 30 minutes or until firm. Transfer the balls to a freezer bag or freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake! You dont have to thaw first, just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
To freeze baked cookies: Make sure the cookies are completely cooled. Place in a freezer bag or freezer container and freeze for up to 2 months. If you are going to stack them, you can put a piece of parchment paper in between the layers. Thaw and eat or even eat the cookies frozen. I love a good frozen cookie:)
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Can I Use Oil Instead Of Butter For Cookies
If you want to make cookies with oil, use half the amount of oil that is called for in recipes that call for butter, but add liquid as needed to make the cookies. In this case, substitute 1/2 cup oil for 1 cup butter and add liquid until the dough is properly hydrated in your recipe. The dough should be too greasy, so add a little more flour if it is.
Can You Freeze Cookies That Are Already Baked
For cookies that are already baked, here’s how to freeze them successfully for up to two months. Be sure the cookies are completely cooled before freezing. Place the cookies into an airtight container lined with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap. For best results, wrap the cookies individually in plastic food wrap.
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How To Make Sugar Cookies
1. Sift the flour, corn starch, and salt in a large bowl. Give it a whisk.
2. In your standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together.
3. Add the eggs while mixing. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
4. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix to combine.
5. Pour in the flour mixture and mix until everything is well incorporated, making sure to scrape the bowl down.
6. Put the dough in a plastic bag, flatten it together, then chill it in the refrigerator so it firms up. Once the dough is chilled, place it on a rolling mat, sprinkle with flour and roll out with a rolling pin. Move the dough around to prevent it from sticking. Use circular cookie cutters to cut out your cookies. Take away extra scraps to re-roll for more cookies. Place them on non-stick cookie sheets and bake at 375F for 12 minutes. Once they are done allow them to cool on the cookie sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How Can I Flavor Sugar Cookies
To flavor cookie dough I use extracts, flavorings or baking emulsions.
Its no secret Vanilla makes everything taste better. Thats why I always use Vanilla Extract as my base flavor. After that you can add other flavorings.
I also like to add almond and/or lemon extracts. And I have to say I came really fond of this magic trio : Vanilla , Almond and Lemon . It makes for a lovely flavor.
If using Lorann oil based flavorings use only 5-7 drops. They are very concentrated.
ORANGE AND LEMON ZEST
If using lemon or orange zest add 1tbsp per recipe.
SPICES
Yes, you can use spices. Cinnamon or Cardamom. Sweet Ambs makes her cookie dough using orange and cardamom.
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The Scientific Research Behind Flawlessly Baked Cooki Es
Butter butter is an essential active ingredient for cookies. Not just since it offers abundant taste, yet the butter is likewise the primary reason that your cookies will certainly spread out. Still, you will certainly wish to manage that spread. The cooled dough with butter within will certainly spread out slower throughout the baking time. Make certain you mix your butter well, so it is equally included inside the dough.
Eggs eggs will certainly offer dampness and also water, which will at some point vaporize throughout the cooking. If you desire taller cookies, you can include an additional egg white. If you desire fudgier cookies, include an additional egg yolk.
Sugar if you are looking for a crisp cookie after that make use of white sugar. Brownish sugar has even more dampness and also those cookies will certainly be softer. Some like the combination of these as well, yet it refers individual preference.
Flour you can make use of all-purpose or cake flour. I constantly make use of versatile flour, as cookies made with this sort of flour hold far better in the regards to form. The cookies made with cake flour might be softer and also commonly crumbled when being raised from a cookie sheet.
Dimension dimension actually matters right here. The dimension affects the moment required to appropriately cook the cookies. If you need to cook them for a longer time, they could end up being as well solid and also dried.
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How To Make The Sugar Cookie Dough
Step 1: Add the 4 sticks of butter and 2 cups of white sugar to your mixer. A word about the butter, we use Sweet Cream Salted Butter when we are baking and I think it tastes great with these sugar cookies too. The butter needs to be softened but still cold. A prime culprit for dry sugar cookie dough is butter than is too warm and soft. I let the butter sit out on the counter for just under an hour before I start making the cookies this seems to be the perfect amount of time for me. The butter is still cold to the touch but you can press into the stick with your fingers. In the past, when in a rush, I have softened the butter in the microwave but inevitably the dough that I get is on the crumbly side.Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar until it is completely mixed Step 3: Add 2 tablespoons of vanilla and 2 eggs. I know that sounds like a lot of vanilla but this recipe needs a little extra moisture and the cookies will taste great.Step 4: Mix the cookie dough until light and fluffy
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Sugar Cookie Recipe Faq
How do you make soft sugar cookies?
Dont over mix the dough and dont over bake the cookies. Take the cookies out of the oven when they are slightly under baked. They will finish baking as the cool on the baking sheet.
How do you make sugar cookies more flavorful?
Make sure you use butter, not margarine. Use pure vanilla extract and not imitation vanilla extract for the best flavor. Roll the cookies in sugar before baking. If you want to add a little almond extract, you can! I recommend ¼ teaspoon because it is strong.
What kind of baking sheet is best for sugar cookies?
Always use a light colored baking sheet so your cookies dont get too dark. You dont want to burn the bottoms. I love the Goldtouch pans from Williams Sonoma.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Your butter was probably too warm or not enough flour. I also recommend using parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat.
Can this recipe be used for cut-out sugar cookies?
No, this is an EASY sugar cookie recipe. You dont have to chill the dough, roll the dough, use cookie cutters. The cookies are perfect little circles.
Can I frost the sugar cookies?
These sugar cookies dont need frosting, they are good plain, but you certainly can add your favorite frosting.
Sugar Cookie Tips & Tools
Before I leave you with the recipe, let me suggest some useful sugar cookie tools:
- Cookie Sheets
- Rolling Pin
- Food Coloring: Liquid food coloring can alter the consistency of the icing, so I recommend gel food coloring. For the pictured cookies, I used a few drops of dusty rose and 1 drop of sky blue.
- Piping Tips/Squeeze Bottle: If youre using royal icing, I recommend Wilton piping tip #4 for outlining and flooding. This is a wonderful basic piping tip to have in your collection. If youre using my easy glaze icing, I recommend using a squeeze bottle.
- Piping Bag: If youre using royal icing and a piping tip, you need a disposable piping bag or reusable piping bag.
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My Favorite Soft Sugar Cookies
So I feel like Im a tad bit late with these cookies, since I just missed Christmas and all, but the truth is that sugar cookies are good all year round. In fact, next to a good Snickerdoodle, chewy sugar cookies are a total favorite of mine any day of the week. I feel like Cutout Sugar Cookies are the Christmas version of a sugar cookie while a classic drop cookie, like this one, is the year round version, you know?
And as with any classic, simple cookie that doesnt hide behind frosting or anything, it really needs to be just right. Soft and chewy for days, my friends. I dont want some cookie thats great for a day or so and then you have to toss them. No, these will call to you from the kitchen counter until theyre all eaten and it could be 4 or 5 days later .
Tips From The Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1 Choose your cookie sheets wiselylook for shiny aluminum sheets with no sides that allow air circulation for sugar cookies to bake evenly. Dark sheets absorb more heat, making it hard to control browning. Insulated cookie sheets slow down baking, providing control but also requiring longer bake times.
- tip 2 If you dont have cooling racks, you can transfer the warm cut-out sugar cookies to a chilled cookie sheet lined with clean kitchen towels, or use a cooled wooden cutting boardanything to cool the cookies down quickly.
- tip 3 As you bake, be sure to allow cookie sheets to cool before you place fresh cutouts on them for the oven.
- tip 4 You can prevent cookie dough from sticking to the cookie cutter by dipping the cutter in flour between uses.
- tip 5 Cookie sheets should be at least 2 inches smaller than the inside of your oven so the heat can circulate completely around them. Be sure to arrange the oven racks before you preheat the oven, so that you can bake in the center of the oven. We recommend baking one cookie sheet at a time.
- tip 6 As an alternative to decorating with frosting, sprinkle cutter cookies with granulated or colored sugars before baking.
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How To Freeze These Cookies
These cookies freeze nicely too! Just let the baked cookies come to room temperature, then pack them in a ziplock bag and freeze them. Thaw them in the fridge or on the counter when youre ready to eat them.
Whether youre looking for an alternative to a cutout sugar cookie, or simply looking to cure a craving for a good soft and chewy Sugar Cookies, these are sure to be your new favorite easy sugar cookie! They stay soft for days and have the ultimate chewy-factor!
NOTE 5/16/19: Due to feedback about the cookies not spreading well, the recipe has been slightly changed and updated.
- 1/4 cup sugar