Get ready to transform your baking game with the most irresistible sugar cookies you'll ever taste! These aren't just any ordinary cookies - they're Alton Brown's famous sugar cookies that have been delighting taste buds and winning hearts for years. With a perfect balance of crisp edges, soft centers, and a delightful sugary crunch, these cookies are about to become your new go-to dessert that will have everyone begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies will bake evenly and come out perfectly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This step helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents throughout the flour, ensuring consistent texture in your cookies.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and white sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Once the dough has formed, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Pour the 3/4 cup of sugar into a shallow dish. Take each cookie dough ball and roll it in the sugar to coat the top and sides. This will give your cookies a lovely sweet crust and a sparkling appearance.
- Once all the cookies are shaped and coated, place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
- After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up a bit before transferring them.
- Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious sugar cookies once they have cooled, or store them in an airtight container for later!
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter is truly softened, not melted. Room temperature butter creates the perfect creamy base for your cookies.
- Don't Overmix: Mix your dough just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Uniform Size is Key: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create evenly sized cookies that bake consistently.
- Sugar Coating Technique: Roll the cookie balls generously in sugar before baking to create a beautiful, sparkling exterior.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: These cookies can quickly go from perfectly golden to overdone. Start checking at 8 minutes and remove when edges are just turning golden.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents breaking.
- Storage Tip: Store in an airtight container to maintain their delightful texture for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 140kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 20mg
