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Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies recipe

Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies are show inside an orange cookie jar.

When I discovered the recipe for these Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies, they seemed simple enough to try on a busy night. I did, and they were the softest, most wonderfully vanilla-y and buttery cookie I’d ever had. I loved them. So, the tender, sweet goodness that is these cookies has become a fixture in my cookie jar.

Speaking of which, it might be time to bake another batch.

That first time that I made these, they were dessert when one of my oldest and dearest girlfriends came for dinner. We ate … um … more than I care to admit. The second time I made them, they were even better than the first time — and mostly because Will helped.

My son Will, who is three, loves to help me in the kitchen. He drags a kitchen chair over to the counter and listens intently as I explain what we are doing. “Mommy, you need my help?” he always asks. I love that and can’t help but indulge him. He’s the pourer of liquids into mixing bowls and the gentle stirrer of breadcrumb mixtures. He can lock and unlock the tilting head of my stand mixer but knows to back up and keep his fingers away when the mixer is on. And he waits, as patiently as a three-year-old can, while I handle the less kid-friendly tasks like breaking eggs.

“What’s next, Mommy?” is his constant question as we weave our way through measuring, mixing, pouring and arranging. And whenever I hear it, it makes me smile. A lot.

I am one lucky woman.

Yes, perhaps it is time to make another batch of these delightful Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies.

Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies recipe

Soft Vanilla Sugar Cookies recipe

recipe from Fine Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. table salt
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, , softened at room temperature
  • 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • Seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Make sure the oven rack is in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, salt and baking power in a medium bowl. (A whisk is a good alternative to sifting.)
  3. In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium until its smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Beat until fully incorporated, about two minutes. Add the eggs and beat for about one more minute, until well combined. Add the flour mixture a little at a time. Don't overblend -- you want it just combined and it should only take a few seconds per addition.
  4. Use a small ice cream scoop or a cookie scoop to place rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets. Be sure to leave about three inches between the mounds.
  5. Cook for 10-14 minutes until the edges are just beginning to brown.
  6. These can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. For a delicious treat, spread homemade raspberry jam between two cookies and sandwich together. Then, devour.

Ricki Reed

Tuesday 5th of June 2012

Yeah mines turn out thin on the first batch as well, I added more flour like Vanessa and they were fluffy and sweet :) !

Lime White Chocolate Cookie Recipe | Sarah’s Cucina Bella :: Family Food

Wednesday 31st of March 2010

[...] my favorite sugar cookie recipe as a guide, I adjusted the ingredients, making it more lime-y (though the lime is subtle, for sure) [...]

Sarah Caron

Saturday 13th of December 2008

Vanessa. Hmm. Mine didn't come out too thin, and I have used this recipe at least a half dozen times. How are you scooping the dough? I use a 1 tbsp ice cream scoop. Adding more flour, I would worry that the cookies would become dry.

Did anyone else have that problem?

Rhi, we certainly came close!

Vanessa

Saturday 13th of December 2008

Definitely add a little more flour to this recipe! My first batch was extremely thin and not fluffy at all. I added about 1/2 c to 2/3 c more flour and they turned out perfect. Yummy!

rhian

Tuesday 25th of November 2008

HA! I was going to ask you for this recipe! I could have finished the plate. Oh wait– did we? :)

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