These EASY No Spread Sugar Cookies are perfect for making beautifully shaped and decorated treats without worrying about them losing their shape in the oven. This recipe ensures your cookies stay perfectly crisp on the edges and soft in the center, making them ideal for any occasion from holidays to everyday treats.
Ingredients for EASY No Spread Sugar Cookies
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Decorating (optional):
- Royal icing
- Sprinkles
- Food coloring
How to make EASY No Spread Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. It should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Step 2: Roll and Cut Cookies
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Repeat: Gather the scraps, reroll, and cut out more cookies. Repeat with the second disc of dough.
Step 3: Bake and Decorate
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies should remain pale on top.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate (optional): Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or other decorations as desired. Allow the icing to set before storing or serving.
About the Main Ingredients
Butter
Butter provides richness and flavor to the cookies, ensuring they are tender and delicious. Softened butter is easier to cream with sugar, creating a smooth dough.
Flour and Baking Powder
All-purpose flour and baking powder give structure to the cookies. The combination of these ingredients helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking, resulting in cookies that do not spread excessively.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies, adding a delightful aroma and taste to every bite.
Tips for Perfect No Spread Sugar Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps the cookies retain their shape during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld together for better-tasting cookies.
- Rolling Thickness: Roll the dough to a consistent thickness to ensure even baking.
- Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your butter is softened but not melted for the best texture in your cookies.
Enjoy these EASY No Spread Sugar Cookies for any occasion, whether you’re decorating for holidays, birthdays, or just a sweet treat. With their perfect shape retention and delicious flavor, they are sure to be a hit with family and friends alike!
