Why Make This Recipe
Making No-Spread Sugar Cookies is always a fantastic choice for gatherings, holidays, or just a sweet treat at home. These cookies are known for their perfect shape and sweet taste. Unlike regular sugar cookies, they do not spread much while baking. This quality makes them ideal for decorating. Whether you want to create festive shapes or colorful designs, these cookies hold their form beautifully.
Not only are they fun to decorate, but they also taste amazing. The combination of buttery goodness, sweet sugar, and a hint of vanilla makes them irresistible. Baking these cookies is a great activity for families and friends. It encourages creativity and allows everyone to share in the fun.
When you make these cookies, you also get to enjoy the wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen. The smell of freshly baked cookies is comforting and cheerful. They are perfect for any occasion, whether you are celebrating a birthday or just having a cozy night at home.
With simple ingredients and easy steps, anyone can make these delightful treats. Even if you are a beginner baker, you will find success with this recipe. Plus, they are a great way to develop your baking skills. So, let’s dive into how to make these delicious No-Spread Sugar Cookies!
How to Make No-Spread Sugar Cookies
Making No-Spread Sugar Cookies is a simple process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly. You will be amazed at how easy and quick it is to create these sweet treats at home.
Ingredients
To make No-Spread Sugar Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: This is the main ingredient that gives structure to the cookies.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter adds richness and flavor.
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar: This sweetens the cookies and helps them bake up nice and light.
- 1 large egg: The egg helps bind the ingredients together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This gives the cookies a lovely flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: A little salt enhances the sweetness.
Directions
Now that you have your ingredients, let’s get started on making the cookies!
Cream Together Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, take the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a mixer or a wooden spoon to mix them together. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is essential because it adds air into the mixture, which helps the cookies rise.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack the large egg into the bowl. Then add the vanilla extract. Beat the mixture again until everything is well combined. Make sure there are no lumps of butter left.
Mix in Flour and Salt: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and the salt to the mixture. Use your mixer on low speed if you have one, or mix by hand. Stop mixing when the dough forms a ball. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until it hardly sticks to the bowl.
Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disc. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough is crucial because it helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.
Preheat the Oven: When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is hot enough for the cookies to bake correctly.
Roll Out the Dough: Take the chilled dough from the refrigerator. On a floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough to prevent sticking.
Cut Out Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the rolled-out dough. Place the cut shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave some space between each cookie because they will not spread.
Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the cookies; they should be lightly golden around the edges.
Cool and Decorate: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them cool on a wire rack. After they are completely cool, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter if you like.
How to Serve No-Spread Sugar Cookies
No-Spread Sugar Cookies are great for serving at gatherings, parties, or just enjoying at home. You can serve them plain or with decorations, depending on the occasion.
For kids’ birthdays, use colorful icing and fun sprinkles to create beautiful cookie designs. You could even match the designs to the theme of the party. These cookies also make excellent gifts. Simply wrap them in clear cellophane or put them in a cute box.
If you serve these cookies at a gathering, consider placing them on a decorative platter. You can arrange different shapes and sizes to create an eye-catching display. Providing some fun cookie decorating supplies will allow guests to create their own designs, making it an interactive activity!
How to Store No-Spread Sugar Cookies
Storing No-Spread Sugar Cookies properly will keep them fresh for longer. Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can place them in an airtight container. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Store the container at room temperature if you plan to eat them within a week. If you want to keep the cookies longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For even longer storage, you can freeze the cookies. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they will stay good for up to three months. When you want to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
Remember to decorate the cookies after they have thawed for the best presentation!
Tips to Make No-Spread Sugar Cookies
Making the best No-Spread Sugar Cookies requires a few helpful tips:
Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. This means it should be at room temperature. Soft butter mixes better and creates a fluffier texture.
Chill the Dough: Do not skip the chilling step. Chilling the dough is key to preventing the cookies from spreading out during baking.
Roll Evenly: When rolling the dough, try to keep the thickness consistent. This ensures all cookies bake evenly.
Watch the Baking Time: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Remove them when they are just lightly golden.
Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality butter, sugar, and vanilla will make your cookies taste better. Using fresh ingredients can greatly improve the final flavor.
Variations
You can get creative with No-Spread Sugar Cookies by adding different flavors. Some popular variations include:
Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add the zest of a lemon to the dough for a refreshing citrus twist.
Almond Sugar Cookies: Substitute almond extract for vanilla for a delicious nutty flavor.
Chocolate-Dipped Cookies: Dip half the cooled cookies in melted chocolate to add a rich chocolatey touch.
Sprinkles or M&M’s: Press some colorful sprinkles or M&M’s into the top of the cookies before baking for added fun.
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour. However, the cookies might be a bit denser. You could also use half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour for a lighter texture.
2. What if I don’t have cookie cutters?
No problem! You can use a glass or any round shape to cut out cookies. Just press down on the dough to create circles or any shape you prefer.
3. Can I freeze the cookie dough before baking?
Absolutely! After shaping the cookie dough into a disk, you can freeze it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting out shapes.
These tips and details should guide you in making delicious No-Spread Sugar Cookies that everyone will love! Enjoy your baking and happy decorating!
No-Spread Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer or a wooden spoon until light and fluffy.
- Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the mixture. Beat until well combined, ensuring there are no lumps of butter.
- Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough forms a ball. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before decorating.