The Best Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe: Perfectly Soft, Deliciously Sweet
Are you ready to bake the best rolled sugar cookies you've ever tasted? This recipe delivers perfectly soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are ideal for decorating or enjoying plain. We've focused on achieving that perfect balance of buttery flavor and delicate texture, making this the ultimate rolled sugar cookie recipe for all skill levels.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Rolled Sugar Cookies
The secret to amazing rolled sugar cookies lies in the quality of your ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Unsalted Butter: Use high-quality, unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. This ensures the perfect texture and allows for even mixing.
- Granulated Sugar: This provides the sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness. Use large eggs at room temperature for best results.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract is recommended.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our cookie dough. Make sure to measure it correctly using the spoon and level method to avoid dense cookies.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Powdered Sugar (for dusting): Optional, but highly recommended for that beautiful, snowy finish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking the Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
This detailed guide will walk you through every step of the process:
1. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
- Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, leading to lighter, chewier cookies.
2. Adding the Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Incorporating the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in tough cookies.
4. Chilling the Dough:
- Form the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This is a crucial step! Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain their shape.
5. Rolling and Cutting the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Reroll the scraps to minimize waste.
6. Baking the Cookies:
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Decorating (Optional):
- Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with your favorite frosting, sprinkles, or candies.
Tips for the Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing leads to tough cookies.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: This prevents spreading and ensures perfectly shaped cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies: This makes baking and decorating easier.
- Avoid overcrowding the baking sheets: Give the cookies enough space to bake evenly.
This recipe is guaranteed to become your go-to for delicious, perfectly rolled sugar cookies. Enjoy baking and happy decorating!
