Ann's Heavenly Soft Sugar Cookies
Relive the nostalgic flavors of small-town cafes with Ann’s Heavenly Soft Sugar Cookies. Inspired by a beloved childhood memory, these cookies are soft, sweet, and delicately flavored with a hint of almond. Each bite melts in your mouth, making them perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a festive celebration or a simple afternoon treat with a cup of tea. Bake a batch to share with friends and family, or keep them all to yourself when that sweet craving hits!
2-3 dozen cookies
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1 cup (softened)
Powdered Sugar
1 1/2 cups (sifted)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
Almond Extract
1/2 teaspoon (pure)
All-Purpose Flour
2 1/2 cups (sifted)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon
Cream of Tartar
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
2
Add the beaten egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the mixture and blend well until smooth.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar until evenly combined.
4
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
5
Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing it to chill and firm up.
6
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
7
Divide the dough in half and return one half to the refrigerator while you roll out the other half.
8
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 3/16 of an inch.
9
Use cookie cutters or a glass to cut out your desired shapes, and place them on ungreased cookie sheets.
10
Sprinkle the cookies lightly with sugar before baking.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Allow them to cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ann's Heavenly Soft Sugar Cookies?
They are nostalgic, soft, and sweet cookies with a hint of almond, inspired by flavors found in small-town cafes.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 2 to 3 dozen cookies depending on the size of your cutters.
What is the primary flavoring in these cookies?
The cookies are flavored with a combination of pure vanilla extract and pure almond extract.
Do I need to use softened butter?
Yes, using 1 cup of softened butter is essential for creaming it with the sugar until light and fluffy.
Should the powdered sugar be sifted?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar to ensure a smooth, soft texture.
What type of flour is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How long should I chill the cookie dough?
The dough needs to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours to allow it to firm up before rolling.
Why is cream of tartar used in these sugar cookies?
Cream of tartar helps provide the cookies with their signature soft and light consistency.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
How thick should the dough be rolled out?
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 3/16 of an inch.
Can I use a glass to cut the shapes?
Yes, you can use cookie cutters or the rim of a glass to cut out the dough.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheets?
No, the cookies should be placed on ungreased cookie sheets for baking.
Should I add anything to the top of the cookies before baking?
Yes, sprinkle the cookies lightly with sugar before you put them in the oven.
What is the recommended baking time?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be lightly golden, but the centers should still be soft when removed from the oven.
How should I cool the cookies?
Allow them to cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Why should I divide the dough in half before rolling?
Dividing the dough allows you to keep one half cold in the refrigerator while you work with the other.
What is the first step in making the dough?
The first step is to cream together the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar.
Do I need to whisk dry ingredients separately?
Yes, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar in a separate bowl before adding to the wet mix.
What happens if I skip the chilling process?
Skipping the chilling process will make the dough too soft to roll and cut into shapes properly.
Are these cookies suitable for tea time?
Yes, their delicate almond flavor makes them a perfect accompaniment for a cup of tea.
Can I use this recipe for holiday shapes?
Absolutely, the dough is designed to be rolled and cut into any shapes you desire for festive occasions.
What is the function of baking soda in this recipe?
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent to help the cookies rise correctly.
How should the egg be prepared?
The recipe calls for one egg that has been beaten before being added to the mixture.
Can I use a kitchen towel to cover the dough while chilling?
Yes, you can use either plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel to cover the dough in the refrigerator.
Why is it important to use a floured surface for rolling?
A lightly floured surface prevents the soft dough from sticking while you roll it out.
Is the vanilla extract supposed to be pure?
Yes, the recipe suggests pure vanilla extract for the best flavor profile.
What makes these cookies 'heavenly'?
Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and light almond sweetness give them a heavenly quality.
Can I share these cookies with family?
Yes, they are described as a perfect batch to share with friends and family.
Are these cookies crunchy?
No, these are specifically designed to be soft cookies with a delicate bite.