Classic Secret Ingredient Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies are made with a "secret ingredient" to ensure a tender crumb and a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for decorating or enjoying plain!
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Medium bowl
- Large bowl or stand mixer
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch in a medium bowl; set aside.
Mixing
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes) in a large bowl or stand mixer.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until just combined.
Chilling & Baking
- Divide dough in half, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Roll out one dough disk to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface, and cut out shapes with cookie cutters; re-roll scraps as needed.
- Transfer cut-out cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart, and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
The cornstarch is the "secret ingredient" that helps create a wonderfully tender and soft sugar cookie texture. Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added, as this can lead to tough cookies. Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.