The Best Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2

I use Reynolds parchment sheets or perforated baking mats on my cookies sheets and reuse them for all my batches that day.

Step 3

Cream butter and sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Beat in vanilla and egg.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, salt and flour. Add to wet ingredient mixing bowl a little at a time.

Step 6

Mix until thoroughly blended. Dough should be pulling away from the bowl.

Step 7

Chilling the dough is not necessary! I have tried many different ways of rolling out dough and always come back to the old-fashioned way; a sheet of wax paper that has been floured.

Step 8

I usually divide the dough into 3 chunks and roll out each onto a floured surface and cut. In my experience, this dough works best for cookies at 1/4" thick. I use my Joseph Joseph rolling pin which does the measuring for me – genius!

Step 9

Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes, depending on size of cookie. I also suggest baking similar-sized cookies together.

Step 10

Cool cookies on cookie sheet until firm enough to transfer to cooling rack.