Homemade Easy Sugar Cookies recipe

Indulge in the timeless delight of homemade chocolate chip cookies with this classic recipe. Each bite offers a perfect balance of chewiness and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodness. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, baking these cookies becomes a joyous experience. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe promises delicious results every time. So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and let’s embark on a journey to cookie perfection!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: food coloring, sprinkles, or other decorations

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and salt throughout the dough.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This step incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a softer texture for the cookies.
3. Incorporate the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined. This binds the ingredients together and adds flavor to the dough.
4. Mix in the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
6. Preheat the Oven: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
7. Roll and Cut the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Gather and reroll any scraps to make more cookies.
8. Decorate the Cookies: Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Decorate them as desired with food coloring, sprinkles, or other decorations, gently pressing them into the dough.
9. Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them as baking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies.
10. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store in an airtight container and enjoy these delightful treats!