Vanilla Drop Cookies Recipe
Description:
Indulge in the nostalgia of family gatherings with these delightful Vanilla Drop Cookies, a cherished recipe passed down through generations. Perfect for both spontaneous cravings and planned gatherings, these cookies offer a comforting sweetness that will please both young and old alike. This recipe yields a generous batch, allowing you to stock up your freezer for future indulgences.
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Servings: 48 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 lemon (zest)
- Additional sugar for dipping
Instructions:
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Begin by sifting together the plain flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents. |
| 2 | In another large bowl, whisk the eggs until they become frothy and light in texture, a crucial step for achieving the desired cookie texture. |
| 3 | To the whisked eggs, add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and the zest of one lemon, blending them together until a homogeneous mixture forms, infusing the batter with delightful flavors. |
| 4 | Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, stirring gently until a smooth dough forms, ensuring no pockets of dry flour remain. |
| 5 | Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until firm, allowing the flavors to meld and the dough to become easier to handle. |
| 6 | Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking. |
| 7 | Using a teaspoon, drop rounded portions of the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring adequate spacing between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. |
| 8 | Prepare a flat-bottomed glass by dipping its bottom into water, then into additional sugar, creating a sugary coating on the glass’s surface. |
| 9 | Gently press down on each ball of dough with the sugar-coated glass, flattening them slightly and imparting a decorative sugar crust on top of each cookie. Repeat this process for each cookie. |
| 10 | Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies until they are lightly browned around the edges, approximately 8 minutes, ensuring not to overbake to maintain a soft texture. |
| 11 | Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes to set before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, enhancing their texture and flavor. |
| 12 | Once cooled, store the Vanilla Drop Cookies in airtight containers to maintain their freshness, ensuring they remain readily available for moments of sweet indulgence. |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 61.5
- Total Fat: 3.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 8.8mg
- Sodium: 42.4mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 7.2g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
- Total Sugars: 3.2g
- Protein: 0.8g
Recipe Notes:
- For added variety, consider incorporating mix-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits into the dough before baking.
- These cookies freeze exceptionally well, allowing you to enjoy their homemade goodness at a moment’s notice. Simply store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to several months.
- Experiment with different extracts such as almond or coconut for unique flavor profiles that cater to your preferences.
- To make the cookies more visually appealing, sprinkle a touch of additional sugar or colored sprinkles on top of each cookie before baking.
- Ensure the dough is adequately chilled before baking to prevent excessive spreading during baking, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies.
- Don’t skip the step of pressing the cookies with the sugared glass; it adds a delightful crunch and enhances their aesthetic appeal.
