Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups (218 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, plus 1/4 cup (50 g) for rolling
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a subtle flavor boost)
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a smooth texture and ensures the sugar is fully incorporated.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until everything is well combined. This step adds moisture and flavor to the dough, creating that chewy sugar cookie texture.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Take care not to over-mix; doing so may result in a tougher cookie.
- Form the Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 2-ounce balls and coat each one with the extra granulated sugar. This not only adds sweetness but gives the cookies a lovely sparkle and a slight crunch on the outside.
- Chill the Dough: Place the dough balls in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, keeping them thick and chewy.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough chills. Arrange the chilled dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are just set and the centers appear puffy and slightly cracked.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This step helps them finish setting and ensures that soft, chewy bite we all love.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your butter and egg come to room temperature before starting. Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, resulting in a smoother, fluffier dough.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough might be tempting to skip, but it’s what keeps your cookies thick and chewy instead of thin and crispy.
- Almond Extract: Adding almond extract is optional, but it can enhance the flavor, giving a subtle, sweet hint. Only a small amount is needed to make a noticeable difference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg