Description
This easy cookie recipe is perfect for those who want a delicious treat without using brown sugar. Featuring classic ingredients like unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla, these cookies bake to golden perfection with a soft center and crisp edges. Optional add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits add a delightful twist to the traditional cookie.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined. This step is crucial for creating a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate Add-Ins: If using, fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits evenly throughout the cookie dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. Bake until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the best cookie texture.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding dry ingredients to prevent tough cookies.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite mix-ins such as white chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped pecans.
