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To make soft sugar cookies, gather these items: - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional) - ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling) These ingredients blend to create a soft, fluffy cookie. The butter must be softened for the best texture. This helps the sugar mix well and keeps the cookies light. Feel free to add your touch! You can use almond extract for a nutty flavor. It pairs well with vanilla. You can also mix in chocolate chips or sprinkles for fun. These options make your cookies unique and tasty! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is a key step. A hot oven makes the cookies rise. 2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps the cookies not stick. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This blends the dry ingredients well. 4. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together. Use an electric mixer for about 3-4 minutes. This makes the mixture light and fluffy. 5. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you like. Mix until everything is combined well. 6. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix; this keeps the cookies soft. 7. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough. Roll each piece into a ball. 8. Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar before placing them on the baking sheets. Leave space between them so they can spread while baking. 9. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges. The centers should stay soft. 10. Remove them from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. These steps will help you make soft, delicious sugar cookies that everyone will love. Enjoy the process! To get that soft feel in your cookies, start with room temperature butter. Cold butter makes it hard to mix and can lead to a dense cookie. Use your hands to check if it's soft enough. The butter should feel smooth but not oily. Baking time is key. Check your cookies after 10 minutes. The edges should be golden, but the centers stay soft. If they look too puffed up, they need a minute longer. Overmixing the dough is a big no-no. When you mix too much, the cookies can turn tough. Mix just until you see no flour. This keeps them soft and airy. Also, watch your oven temperature. If the oven is too hot, the cookies bake too fast. Use an oven thermometer to ensure it’s at 350°F. This way, you'll get perfect cookies every time. To add a twist, try different extracts. Almond extract gives a lovely flavor. Vanilla is classic but feel free to mix. Add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts can also make your cookies unique. When choosing powdered sugar for rolling, pick the finest you can find. This makes a light coating that melts in your mouth. If you want color, mix in a bit of cocoa powder for a chocolatey touch. Pro Tips Use Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming with sugar, which creates a light and airy texture in the cookies. Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough just until combined to avoid tough cookies. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a denser texture. Chill the Dough: For even softer cookies, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and enhances the flavors. Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake; they should be lightly golden at the edges while the centers remain soft. This ensures a perfect cloud-like texture. {{image_2}} You can make these cookies even more fun by adding different flavors. Try mixing in chocolate chips for a sweet treat. Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. If you like dried fruit, raisins or cranberries work well too. You can also change the taste with citrus. Add lemon or orange zest for a fresh twist. Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can give your cookies a warm flavor. Just mix in a teaspoon of your chosen spice to the dough. These changes make each batch unique! If you need a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it has a good structure so your cookies stay soft. Look for blends that have xanthan gum included, as it helps with texture. For vegan cookies, switch the butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute. You can use flaxseed mixed with water in place of the egg. Just mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it gets thick. This swap keeps your cookies soft and tasty. You can customize your cookies for any holiday! For Christmas, use festive cookie cutters to create fun shapes like stars or trees. Decorate with colored icing or sprinkles to make them pop. For Halloween, shape them into pumpkins or ghosts. Use orange and black icing for a spooky look. You can also add candy eyes for a fun touch. Each season gives you a chance to get creative with your cookie designs! To keep your soft sugar cookies fresh, use an airtight container. This helps to trap moisture and keeps cookies soft. Place parchment paper between layers of cookies. This prevents them from sticking together. Store them at room temperature for up to one week. If you want longer storage, consider freezing them. For short-term storage, use a plastic or glass container with a tight seal. For longer shelf life, a freezer-safe bag works well. Properly stored, these cookies can stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer. Just remember to label your containers with the date. This way, you'll know when to use them. To freeze cookie dough, scoop and shape the dough balls first. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer the balls to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them directly from the freezer. Just add a minute or two to the baking time. To freeze baked cookies, allow them to cool completely first. Layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. This keeps them from sticking. When ready to enjoy, thaw cookies at room temperature for about an hour. If you want them warm, pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes. This revives their soft texture. To make cookies thicker, add more flour. You can also reduce the butter a bit. For thinner cookies, use less flour or more butter. Adjusting these ratios helps change the texture. If you want to skip almond extract, you can use vanilla extract instead. You can also try hazelnut extract for a different flavor. These options keep your cookies tasty without allergies. You can use whole wheat flour, but the cookies may turn out denser. The taste will be nuttier, too. If you want a lighter texture, mix whole wheat with all-purpose flour. Look for lightly golden edges. The centers should still look soft and puffy. If they are golden all over, they might be overbaked. Let them cool a bit to check the texture. In this guide, we explored every step to making delicious cookies. You learned about key ingredients, how to prepare the dough, and useful tips to achieve the best texture. We also discussed creative variations for different diets and occasions. Remember, small details like ingredient temperatures matter. Avoid common mistakes to bake perfect cookies consistently. With practice and these insights, you can enjoy cookies that delight everyone. Start experimenting, and let your baking journey unfold!

Cloud-Soft Sugar Cookies

Deliciously soft and fluffy sugar cookies that melt in your mouth.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture. Mix until fully combined.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  • Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough, rolling each into a ball.
  • Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space for them to spread while baking.
  • Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Stack the cookies on a decorative plate, and dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Add small edible flowers or mint leaves for color and freshness!
Keyword cookies, dessert, sugar cookies