Description
These Pure Vanilla Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet with a rich vanilla flavor. Easy to prepare and bake, they make a delicious treat for any occasion, delivering a classic cookie taste that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes and helps incorporate air for tender cookies.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully combine and stabilize the mixture.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated to infuse the batter with rich vanilla flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to avoid over-mixing which can make cookies tough.
- Add Milk and Form Dough: Add the milk and mix until the dough comes together smoothly, ensuring the right consistency for scooping and shaping.
- Scoop Dough: Scoop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough and place them about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet to allow for spreading during baking.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Gently flatten each cookie dough ball with the back of a spoon or your fingers to create even thickness for uniform baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool on Baking Sheet: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving, ensuring the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs to ensure proper creaming and dough consistency.
- Spacing cookies apart on the baking sheet is important to prevent them from baking into each other.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute half the milk with cream.
