The “Old-Fashioned Soft Sugar Cookies” recipe embodies the essence of nostalgic baking, reminiscent of treats from grandma’s kitchen. These delightful drop cookies are cherished for their soft and chewy texture, coupled with a classic old-fashioned taste that evokes warmth and comfort with every bite. The preparation involves a balance of simple ingredients and straightforward steps, ensuring that even novice bakers can successfully recreate these beloved cookies.
Recipe Overview:
- Name: Old-Fashioned Soft Sugar Cookies
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 48 cookies
- Category: Drop Cookies
- Keywords: Dessert, Cookie & Brownie, Kid Friendly, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours, Easy
Ingredients:
The recipe calls for pantry staples that come together to create the perfect soft and chewy cookie:
- Shortening
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Topping: Sugar and cinnamon blend
Nutritional Information (per cookie):
- Calories: 62
- Total Fat: 2.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6g
- Cholesterol: 4.6mg
- Sodium: 43.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 9.6g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Sugar: 5.5g
- Protein: 0.8g
Instructions:
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Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (approximately 200°C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet to prepare for baking.
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Creaming the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving the desired texture of the cookies.
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Incorporating Wet Ingredients: Add the egg to the creamed mixture and beat well until fully combined. Then, mix in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until smooth and evenly incorporated.
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Combining Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
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Mixing the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. It’s important not to overmix at this stage to maintain the tender texture of the cookies.
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Chilling the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and shaping the cookies.
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Forming the Cookies: Once chilled, use rounded teaspoons to drop the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
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Adding Topping: Combine the sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the tops of the cookie dough rounds before baking.
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Baking: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops are set. Be careful not to overbake to maintain the soft texture.
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Cooling and Enjoying: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these old-fashioned treats warm or at room temperature with a glass of milk or your favorite hot beverage.
Tips for Success:
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning for even mixing and baking.
- Use fresh baking soda for optimal leavening.
- Do not skip the chilling step as it affects the texture and spread of the cookies.
- Monitor baking time closely to achieve the perfect balance of softness and light golden color.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Conclusion:
With its simplicity and timeless appeal, the Old-Fashioned Soft Sugar Cookies recipe is a wonderful addition to any baker’s repertoire. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a family treat, or simply craving a taste of nostalgia, these cookies deliver on both flavor and texture. Embrace the joy of homemade baking with this recipe and share the love of old-fashioned goodness with friends and family.
