Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cupunsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cupsgranulated sugar
• 2large eggs
• 1 1/2 tspvanilla extract
• 1/2 tspalmond extract (optional)
• 3 cupsall-purpose flour
• 1 tspbaking powder
• 1/2 tspsalt

Nutrition / serving

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Method

1. 1

   Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and almond extract if using.

   ⏱Start 2:00
2. 2

   Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, then mix into the wet ingredients until a smooth dough forms.

3. 3

   Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour, until firm enough to roll. Chilling keeps the cookies from spreading and losing their shape.

   ⏱Start 1:00:00
4. 4

   Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.

5. 5

   On a lightly floured surface, roll one disk of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes and transfer to the baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.

6. 6

   Bake 8–10 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden. For soft cookies, pull them before any browning shows.

   ⏱Start 8:00
7. 7

   Cool on the sheets 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost or decorate once fully cool.

   ⏱Start 5:00