Freshly Homecooked is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Sugar cookies are a classic and one of my favorite type of cookie flavors. I love baking them especially during the holidays. They make great gifts for friends and family. Just simple ingredients are used, flour, sugar and butter. The dough is easy to make, and can be frozen ahead of time to make your holiday baking even easier. You can choose to make these cookies into the traditional shape by rolling them into balls. Or you can roll the cookie dough out onto a floured surface and cut the dough out into shapes using cookie cutters.
The cookie dough is started by mixing flour, salt and baking soda together. In a large bowl, using a mixer beat softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat eggs and vanilla extract into the mixture until smooth. In three additions, add the flour mixture into the butter mixture until fully combined. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least one hour. Refrigerating the dough helps keep the cookie dough from spreading too much in the oven. At this point, you can roll the dough into balls and place into a freezer bag and freeze for up to one month. Or place them 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Or roll the cookie dough out onto a floured surface and cut out with cookie cutters. Bake until the bottom of the cookies are lightly browned.
Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda. In another large bowl using either a hand or a stand mixer, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until smooth. In three separate additions, add the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Beating after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Cover and refrigerate the cookie dough for at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Roll the cookie dough into balls and place 2-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes.