Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe
Overview
Prepare to indulge in the delightful experience of Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies, a charming recipe that embodies the essence of tender, buttery goodness. Known for their soft texture reminiscent of little butter cakes, these cookies melt in your mouth, delivering a sweet satisfaction that lingers long after the last bite. This recipe invites you to embrace a few essential techniques and storage tips that will elevate your cookie-making adventure, ensuring that each batch is as perfect as the last.
With a simple blend of ingredients and a few helpful hints, you’ll discover the joy of crafting these delightful cookies in your own kitchen.
Recipe Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Category | Drop Cookies |
| Prep Time | 25 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings | Approximately 30 cookies |
| Rating | 4/5 (3 Reviews) |
| Calories | 142.6 per cookie |
| Keywords | Dessert, Cookie & Brownie, < 60 Mins, For Large Groups, Oven |
Ingredients
To create these Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies, gather the following ingredients, ensuring that everything is at room temperature for optimal mixing:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 1/2 cups |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (softened) |
| Margarine | 1/2 cup (softened) |
| Eggs | 2 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Buttermilk | 1/2 cup |
| Additional sugar | For sprinkling on top |
Nutritional Information
Each cookie contains a delightful balance of flavors and nutrients. Here’s a quick look at the nutritional content per cookie:
| Nutrient | Amount per Cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 142.6 |
| Total Fat | 6.7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 30.7 mg |
| Sodium | 188.7 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18.3 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.4 g |
| Sugars | 7.2 g |
| Protein | 2.3 g |
Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to craft your Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies, ensuring that you embrace the gentle techniques that will yield the best results:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven warms up, prepare your baking sheets. For optimal results, line them with baking parchment paper, though greasing them or using non-stick spray is also an effective alternative.
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Sift Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, sift together 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This step not only combines the ingredients but also aerates the flour, ensuring a lighter cookie. Set this bowl aside for now.
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Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of softened margarine. Beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial, as it incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the cookies’ tender texture.
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Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Gradually add 2 large eggs to the creamed mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, ensuring it is evenly incorporated into the batter.
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Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternate adding the dry flour mixture with 1/2 cup of buttermilk to the sugar mixture, stirring gently until everything is combined and the batter is smooth. If you find the dough too soft and sticky, don’t hesitate to add about 1/2 cup of additional flour, using your judgment to achieve the right consistency.
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Scoop the Dough: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop (which I highly recommend), drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If the dough sticks to your scoop or spoon, keep a glass of warm water nearby and dip the scoop or spoon in the water before each scoop to prevent sticking.
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Sprinkle and Shape: For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle the tops of each cookie with additional granulated sugar. You might want to gently flatten the tops slightly to help the sugar adhere better during baking.
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Bake the Cookies: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the cookies are just firm to the touch. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times may vary based on your oven.
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Cool the Cookies: Once baked, allow the cookies to rest on the sheets for about a minute before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short resting period allows them to set up a bit without becoming overly soft.
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Storage Suggestions: For optimal storage, place the cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. This will also help to avoid discoloration due to moisture. Even if some spots do discolor slightly over time, the cookies will remain as delicious as ever.
Helpful Tips
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Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily create a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and filling it with milk until you reach 1 cup. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before using in your recipe. This will replicate the acidity of buttermilk, ensuring your cookies remain tender and flavorful.
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Cookie Consistency: The dough for these cookies is meant to be soft and slightly sticky. If you find it difficult to handle, don’t hesitate to adjust the flour quantity until you reach a manageable consistency, but be careful not to add too much, as this can lead to denser cookies.
Conclusion
As you dive into making these Pennsylvania Dutch Soft Sugar Cookies, remember that the secret to achieving perfect cookies lies in the details—from creaming the butter and sugar to managing the dough’s consistency. Enjoy sharing these soft, rich cookies with family and friends, and let the melt-in-your-mouth experience create sweet memories for all. Whether you serve them at a gathering or keep them for yourself, these cookies are sure to become a cherished recipe in your baking repertoire.
Now, gather your ingredients and get ready to create a batch of these delectable cookies that encapsulate the warmth and flavor of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch baking. Happy baking!
