Description
These small batch sugar cookies are a perfect treat when you want just a few freshly baked cookies. Made with simple ingredients like cold butter, sugar, and vanilla, these cookies bake up soft and slightly golden at the edges, with a deliciously tender center. Ideal for when you crave something sweet without making a large batch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ⅓ cup cold butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup flour (all-purpose or gluten-free 1 to 1 flour)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cold butter and granulated sugar. Mix until the butter is fully incorporated and no clumps remain, creating a smooth mixture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add in the vanilla extract and egg yolk to the butter-sugar mixture. Stir thoroughly to blend all wet ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the baking soda and flour to the bowl. Stir until the dough has just come together without overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape Dough Balls: Scoop out four equally sized dough balls and space them at least 3 inches apart on the prepared baking pan. Alternatively, you can form six medium-sized dough balls for smaller cookies.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are very slightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Before Serving: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the pan for 10 minutes. They will be gooey and fragile before cooling but will firm up to perfect softness.
Notes
- Using cold butter helps achieve a tender texture.
- Do not overbake to maintain a soft center.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend if needed.
- For a larger batch, simply double the ingredients.
- Let cookies cool completely if you prefer a firmer texture before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
