Sugar Cookies Without Butter Recipe

Step 1

Prepare for baking. Adjust a baking rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark Line cookie sheets with parchment (baking) paper or non-stick silicone baking mats. Set aside.

Step 2

Mix dry ingredients. In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

Combine wet ingredients. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer + a large mixing bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined, and you no longer see streaks of egg yolk.

Step 4

Make dough. Add the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix until the dough is well combined. It will be thick but shouldn't be sticky. Be careful not to over-mix. Once everything is incorporated, use a rubber spatula to help it come together and form a ball.

Step 5

Form cookies. Using a cookie scoop, portion 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized cookie dough balls. Gently roll into a ball and optionally roll each ball in the additional sugar to coat. Arrange the balls 2 in / 5 cm apart on the lined baking sheets (trays). Gently press each ball flat as they won't spread out much on their own.

Step 6

Bake. Bake the cookies for 7 to 10 minutes. They will rise and the centers will appear soft, but should look matt, not glossy. Don't overbake and remove the cookies just before the edges begin to turn golden.

Step 7

Cool. Take out of the oven. Allow cooling on the baking sheets (trays) for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. At first, the cookies seem a little puffy but will flatten as they cool.