How do you make sugar cookies from scratch?

Making Sugar Cookies from Scratch: A Sweet and Simple Recipe

Here's a basic recipe for delicious sugar cookies that are perfect for decorating or just enjoying plain:

Ingredients:

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

* 2 large eggs

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon baking powder

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done with a stand mixer, hand mixer, or even a wooden spoon.

2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix!

5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to roll out.

6. Roll and Cut: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.

7. Bake: Place the cookies on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown.

8. Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, or other toppings as desired.

Tips for Success:

* Soften the Butter Properly: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before you start. This will ensure that it creams together easily with the sugar.

* Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Stop mixing once the ingredients are just combined.

* Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is important for a few reasons. It makes the dough easier to roll out, prevents it from spreading too much during baking, and helps to develop the flavor.

* Use Cookie Cutters: If you're decorating the cookies, you can use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.

* Experiment with Flavors: You can add different flavorings to your sugar cookie dough, such as almond extract, lemon zest, or spices.

Enjoy your homemade sugar cookies! You can adapt this basic recipe to your liking by adding different flavors, decorations, and even using different types of flour for a different texture. Let your creativity shine!