Bake perfect Butter Cookies with this easy recipe tested in my Texas kitchen This familyapproved classic comfort food is a guaranteed hit Get the recipe
Author:susan
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes
Yield:24 cookies
Category:Cookie
Cuisine:American
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. You want the mixture to be pale and airy – this is crucial for creating a tender cookie.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – this can result in tough cookies. The dough should come together into a smooth ball.
Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This is an important step! Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and helps them hold their shape.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Roll Out the Dough and Cut Out Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
Bake the Cookies: Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them – they can burn easily!
Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, decorate with your favorite icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter.