Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are super easy and perfectly delicious. From this recipe you can create other cookies, adding in different flavors or spices for variation. If you have a well stocked pantry like me, you can probably find all of the ingredients already in your kitchen!

This is a basic recipe and the cookies come out crisp, with just the right amount of sweet sugary goodness!

I use a Silpat which is a liner made of silicone and fiberglass which replaces the need for parchment paper. This liner makes perfectly brown cookie bottoms and keeps them crisp. Added bonus: easy clean up and no cookies stuck to the cookie sheet!

2 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c white sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl ( I used my Kitchen Aid mixer ), cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto Silpat lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle a pinch (you're familiar with this measurement, right?) of sugar on top of each dough ball. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.