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Bake the Classics: Perfect Vanilla Cookies Recipe

Learn how to make classic vanilla cookies with butter, sugar, and other basic ingredients. These are soft and chewy and delicious! This is also a very easy recipe, especially if you are new to baking.

vanilla cookies

My tastes have changed as I’ve gotten older. And by “tastes,” I mean taste buds. Which, I’ve never been a food snob by any means. And I’ve always like desserts.

In the past, a “dessert” meant chocolate was involved, or something rich like cheesecake. I wanted to be wowed, with the flavors bursting in my mouth.

Or along those lines.

Basically if I was going to go for the goodies, I wanted to go all the way. Something really bad for me! Something flavorful. I think you are picking up what I’m putting down!

As I’ve gone into my 40s, times have changed. I’m more open to desserts that are more subtle. It doesn’t have to completely overwhelm the senses to be tasty.

For instance, now I like rice pudding, shortbread cookies, pound cakes, custards, and more. And one of my favorite recipes to make for a tasty baked good these days?

vanilla cookie recipe

Vanilla cookies!

So many of us (including myself) are often so obsessed with chocolate (and unique flavors like pumpkin) that we forget about vanilla desserts. And how could we? It’s such an oversight.

Whether you’re making them for a Christmas cookie exchange or just for everyday eating, this vanilla cookie recipe is going to be a new favorite.

They’re quick and easy to make, soft and chewy, plus they have a delicate vanilla flavor combined with a rich buttery taste. You’re really going to love them, I promise!

vanilla sugar cookies

Here’s what you’re going to need for these classic vanilla cookies.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Milk (to add to the dough if it’s dry)

Tools and Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Mixer
  • Spoon
  • Cookie scoop
  • Cookie sheet(s)
  • Parchment paper or silpat

Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They’ll last a few weeks in the refrigerator.

vanilla cookies recipe

You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to six months. When you bring them out of the freezer, let them rise to room temperature naturally as opposed to microwaving.

vanilla cookie recipe easy

Get the printable recipe for these cookies below:

Yield: 20 cookies

Vanilla Cookies

vanilla cookie recipe

This classic vanilla cookie recipe is easy to make and perfect if you're craving something sweet.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats.Preheating the oven
  2. Place butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy (about two minutes).Butter and sugar in a clear glass bowl with a small bowl of vanilla
  3. Next add the egg and vanilla. Mix to combine.Egg and vanilla added to butter and sugar in a clear glass bowl
  4. Add the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, and salt - to the wet and mix until just combined.Flour, baking soda, and salt
  5. Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and chill for an hour.Vanilla cookie dough ready to be chilled
  6. Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet using a 2 T cookie scoop. Place a few inches apart.vanilla cookie dough on a baking sheet ready to go into the oven
  7. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until they are just set and beginning to turn golden on the bottom. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.vanilla cookies cooling on a wire rack

Notes

Add a little bit of milk to the dough if you roll it out and find that it's dry.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 121mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g

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If you enjoyed this easy cookie recipe, I’d love for you to check out these other cookie recipes that you might also like:

Apricot Dark ChocolateBacon Chocolate ChipBrownie Chocolate ChipBuckeyeButterscotch PopcornChocolate Chip PuddingChocolate Chip SandwichChocolate MarshmallowChocolate ThumbprintCircus AnimalCotton CandyFunfettiGinger MolassesHeath BarLemon Blueberry ThumbprintLemon Cream CheeseNutella StuffedOatmeal Cream PiesPeanut Butter BlossomsPeanut Butter Cookie CupsReese’s PiecesRitz S’moresRoloSnickers

S. Thomas

Thursday 16th of November 2023

I've been baking cookies for many decades and followed this recipe exactly. I ended up with a bowl of dry "crumbs". I tried compressing them into balls and got baked lumps. Thought it might be because my "large" eggs from pastured hens were more like medium size. Made a second batch increasing the eggs to 1 1/2. Again dry bits instead of dough. After adding quite a bit of water, I was able to make tasty cookies but I'm looking for an accurate recipe.

T. Summers

Thursday 21st of September 2023

No temp included ???

Amy

Thursday 21st of September 2023

I just realize step one and two were duplicated! It's 350 and I edited it :)

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