Imagine biting into a sugar cookie so perfect, it instantly transports you back to childhood holiday memories! These legendary sugar cookies aren't just a recipe—they're a family treasure passed down through generations, promising to melt in your mouth and warm your heart. With a delicate balance of sweetness and buttery goodness, Grandma Mortenson's Holiday Sugar Cookies are about to become your new favorite festive treat that will have everyone asking for the secret recipe.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 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 sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your cookies will bake evenly and come out perfectly golden brown.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Continue to mix until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient 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 is well combined, use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and ensure there are no dry flour pockets. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- If desired, you can gently flatten the dough balls with the bottom of a glass or your palm for a more uniform shape.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly overbake.
- Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Enjoy your Grandma Mortenson's Holiday Sugar Cookies plain, or decorate them with icing and sprinkles for a festive touch!
Tips
- • Keep your butter at room temperature for the smoothest, creamiest mixture • Don't overmix the dough—this can make cookies tough and dense • Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking • For extra festive cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking • Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating • Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days • For a holiday twist, add sprinkles or colored sugar before baking • Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and preventing cookie sticking
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 135kcal
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 20mg
