Sugar Cookie Mix
By Afton CyrusPublished on February 17, 2023
Time
10 minutes for sugar cookie mix; 35 minutes for cookies, plus cooling time
Yield
Makes 4 batches of cookies (12 cookies per batch)
What Kids Are Saying
"They were really good and I felt like eating three whole cookies when I first tried one!" —Ava, recipe tester, age 7
Ingredients
SUGAR COOKIE MIX
4 cups (20 ounces/567 grams) all-purpose flour 3 cups (21 ounces/595 grams) sugar 1 teaspoon table salt 4 teaspoons vanilla powder 1 teaspoon baking sodaTO MAKE 1 BATCH OF COOKIES
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled1 large egg 1½ cups (10 ounces/283 grams) Sugar Cookie MixBefore You Begin
You can find vanilla powder in the baking aisle at some grocery stores, or you can order it online. If you can’t find vanilla powder, you can add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract along with the melted butter and egg in step 2.
Instructions
- For the sugar cookie mix: In extra-large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Set fine-mesh strainer over bowl. Add vanilla powder and baking soda to fine-mesh strainer and tap side of strainer to sift mixture into bowl.
- Whisk until very well combined, about 1 minute. Transfer cookie mix to large airtight storage container. (Cookie mix can be stored at room temperature for at least 2 months.)
- To make 1 batch of cookies: Whisk Sugar Cookie Mix inside container to ensure that all ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In large bowl, whisk melted butter and egg until combined.
- Add 1½ cups Sugar Cookie Mix and use rubber spatula to stir and press mixture until soft dough forms and no dry mix is visible.
- Use your hands to roll dough into 12 balls (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Place dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Use your fingers to gently press and flatten each dough ball into 2-inch-wide circle.
- Place baking sheet in oven. Bake until edges of cookies are just beginning to brown and centers are still soft, 14 to 16 minutes.
- Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven and place on cooling rack (ask an adult for help). Let cookies cool completely on baking sheet, about 30 minutes. Serve.
Time
10 minutes for sugar cookie mix; 35 minutes for cookies, plus cooling timeYield
Makes 4 batches of cookies (12 cookies per batch)What Kids Are Saying
"They were really good and I felt like eating three whole cookies when I first tried one!" —Ava, recipe tester, age 7Ingredients
SUGAR COOKIE MIX
TO MAKE 1 BATCH OF COOKIES
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
SUGAR COOKIE MIX
TO MAKE 1 BATCH OF COOKIES
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
SUGAR COOKIE MIX
TO MAKE 1 BATCH OF COOKIES
Test Kitchen Techniques
Why This Recipe Works
Soft, chewy sugar cookies whenever you want? Yes, please! Kids can whisk together a big batch of sugar cookie mix, then add just a few ingredients to make a batch of sweet, bake sale–ready cookies, whenever they like. This make-ahead mix calls for vanilla powder, instead of the vanilla extract they might usually use in cookie recipes. (If you can’t get vanilla powder, you can substitute vanilla extract when baking the cookies—see “Before You Begin,” below.) Vanilla powder is just vanilla extract that's been dehydrated (had its water removed). Dehydrating the vanilla extract concentrates its flavor, meaning it’s extra vanilla-y. Have kids smell the vanilla powder, and compare it to vanilla extract you may have in the pantry. How are their aromas similar? How are they different?
Before You Begin
You can find vanilla powder in the baking aisle at some grocery stores, or you can order it online. If you can’t find vanilla powder, you can add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract along with the melted butter and egg in step 2.
Instructions
- For the sugar cookie mix: In extra-large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Set fine-mesh strainer over bowl. Add vanilla powder and baking soda to fine-mesh strainer and tap side of strainer to sift mixture into bowl.
- Whisk until very well combined, about 1 minute. Transfer cookie mix to large airtight storage container. (Cookie mix can be stored at room temperature for at least 2 months.)
- To make 1 batch of cookies: Whisk Sugar Cookie Mix inside container to ensure that all ingredients are evenly distributed. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In large bowl, whisk melted butter and egg until combined.
- Add 1½ cups Sugar Cookie Mix and use rubber spatula to stir and press mixture until soft dough forms and no dry mix is visible.
- Use your hands to roll dough into 12 balls (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Place dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.
- Use your fingers to gently press and flatten each dough ball into 2-inch-wide circle.
- Place baking sheet in oven. Bake until edges of cookies are just beginning to brown and centers are still soft, 14 to 16 minutes.
- Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven and place on cooling rack (ask an adult for help). Let cookies cool completely on baking sheet, about 30 minutes. Serve.
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