Nutmeg Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for any occasion but especially fitting for festive gatherings during the Christmas season. These cookies boast a tantalizing blend of flavors, with the warmth of nutmeg adding a comforting touch to the classic sweetness of sugar cookies.
With just a short preparation time of 45 minutes and a quick 10 minutes in the oven, you can have a batch of these delectable cookies ready to enjoy in under an hour. This recipe yields approximately 36 cookies, making it ideal for sharing with friends and family or for satisfying your own sweet tooth whenever the craving strikes.
To begin crafting these delectable treats, gather your ingredients: 1/4 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of margarine, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar, using a mixer set to medium speed. Beat the ingredients until they form a smooth and creamy mixture. Next, add the oil, egg, and vanilla extract to the bowl, continuing to beat until all the ingredients are well blended.
In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and salt, stirring until the dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. Be sure to blend the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavor throughout the cookie dough.
Once the dough is thoroughly mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer to chill for approximately 1 hour, or until the dough is firm enough to handle. Chilling the dough not only makes it easier to shape into cookies but also helps the cookies retain their shape while baking, resulting in perfectly round and uniform treats.
After the dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets by greasing them lightly with butter. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use the lightly floured tines of a fork to gently press down on each cookie, flattening them slightly and creating the classic crisscross pattern on top.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. If baking multiple sheets of cookies at once, be sure to rotate their positions halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.
Once the cookies are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set slightly, making them easier to handle while still warm from the oven.
With their enticing aroma and irresistible flavor, these Nutmeg Sugar Cookies are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Whether enjoyed as a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee or shared with loved ones during holiday celebrations, these cookies are guaranteed to delight your taste buds with every bite. So go ahead, whip up a batch of these delightful cookies and spread some joy with every delicious bite!
