Description
These Best Sugar Cookies with Powdered Sugar are soft, tender, and perfectly sweetened treats featuring a delightful powdered sugar coating and optional colorful sprinkles. Ideal for any occasion, these classic cookies are easy to make and bake to golden perfection, resulting in a delightful texture with just a hint of crisp edges and soft centers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Coating & Optional
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, beating thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Add Sprinkles (Optional): Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles, if using, to add colorful bursts in the cookies.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm it up, which helps in shaping the cookies and prevents spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
- Scoop and Roll: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll each into a ball, then coat thoroughly in the ½ cup powdered sugar to create the signature cracked, powdered exterior.
- Arrange on Sheet: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to turn golden but the centers remain soft-looking for a tender bite.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent over-spreading and to achieve the perfect texture.
- Using powdered sugar for coating creates the classic crackled appearance on these cookies.
- If you prefer thicker cookies, chill the dough longer or use slightly larger scoops.
- Rainbow sprinkles add a festive touch but can be omitted for a simple sugar cookie flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.