Easy Cookie Recipe: The Perfect Treat for Beginners
Baking cookies can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! This easy cookie recipe is perfect for beginners and delivers delicious, melt-in-your-mouth results. No special equipment or advanced baking skills are needed – just simple ingredients and a bit of patience. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter is key for a smooth and creamy dough. Make sure it's not melted!
- 1 cup granulated sugar: This provides sweetness and helps brown the cookies.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor. You can experiment with other extracts like almond or lemon!
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly baked cookies:
Step 1: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can also do it by hand (it will just take a bit longer!).
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 5: Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 6: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious homemade cookies!
Tips for Success:
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop: This ensures that all your cookies are the same size and bake evenly.
- Adjust baking time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
- Get creative with add-ins: Add chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or sprinkles to customize your cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes! Freeze the dough in scoops for easy baking later.
- What kind of butter should I use? Unsalted butter is best so you can control the salt level.
- Can I use a different type of sugar? While granulated and brown sugar are ideal, you can experiment with other sugars, but the results might vary.
This easy cookie recipe is a great starting point for your baking adventures. With a little practice, you'll be creating delicious cookies for all your friends and family! Happy baking!
