Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Serving Size: 24 cookies
Ah, sugar cookies. The classic treat that never goes out of style. Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday party or just a lazy Sunday afternoon. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good sugar cookie?
Ingredients:
– 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined. Gradually add in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Pro tip: Don’t overmix the dough! This can lead to tough cookies.
Now, it’s time to roll out the dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Variation: Feeling adventurous? Add in some food coloring to the dough for a fun twist on the classic sugar cookie.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar over the cookies, and pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Special technique: For extra chewy cookies, take them out of the oven when they still look slightly underdone in the center. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet as they cool.
Once they’re done, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it, folks. A classic sugar cookie recipe that’s sure to please.
Brief history: Sugar cookies have been around since the 1700s, and were originally called “jumbles” or “plunkets.” They were a popular treat among early American settlers, and have since become a staple in households all over the world.
So go ahead, whip up a batch of these delicious cookies and enjoy a taste of history. Happy baking!
What is the origin of sugar cookies and how have they evolved over time?
History:
Sugar cookies are a popular treat that have been enjoyed for centuries. It is believed that they were first created in the 1700s in Nazareth, Pennsylvania by German Protestant settlers who observed Christmas by making various baked goods. Sugar cookies were originally called “Nazareth cookies” and were simple, round cookies made with basic ingredients including flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. Over time, the recipe evolved and became more complex with the addition of various spices, flavors, and decorations.
Tips:
1. Use room temperature ingredients: It’s important to ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature, especially the butter. This will help make sure that the dough comes together evenly.
2. Chill the dough: Sugar cookie dough requires chilling to prevent the cookies from spreading during baking. Chilling will also help the cookies retain their shape.
3. Roll the dough evenly: When rolling out the dough, make sure it’s an even thickness so that the cookies bake evenly.
4. Prevent over-browning: Sugar cookies can quickly over-brown, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning.
Special Techniques:
1. Using cookie cutters: Sugar cookies are often cut into shapes using cookie cutters. To ensure clean cuts, dip the cookie cutter in flour before cutting.
2. Decorating: Sugar cookies are often decorated with frosting or icing. To create intricate designs, use piping bags with small tips or toothpicks to create detailed patterns.
3. Embossing: Embossing is a technique that involves pressing a design into the cookie dough before cutting it out. This can be done using special embossing tools or by using textured rolling pins.
Additional Variations:
1. Flavor variations: Add different flavors to your sugar cookies by incorporating extracts such as almond, lemon, or vanilla.
2. Texture variations: Add crunch to your cookies by incorporating nuts, or add texture by rolling the dough in coarse sugar before baking.
3. Shape variations: Instead of traditional cookie shapes, create unique shapes such as stars, hearts, or even animals. Get creative with different sized cookie cutters to create interesting designs.
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