Ingredients and Weight:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: chopped nuts, M&M's, or other baking toppings for decoration
Preparation Time:
- Preparation Time: 1 hour (including chilling time)
- Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Difficulty Level:
Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour and salt, then gradually add to the butter mixture. Mix well to form a dough.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Shape the dough into small balls or logs and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Decorate the cookies as desired with chopped nuts, M&M's, or other baking toppings.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: Approx. 250 per cookie (depending on toppings)
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 3g
Dish Characteristics:
- Crispy and buttery texture with a hint of vanilla flavor. Decorative options add fun and variety to the cookies.
User Comments:
- "These cookies are amazing! The texture is perfect, not too hard and not too soft."
- "I added chocolate chips to mine and they were a hit! Great recipe."
- "These are great for parties or as a treat for the family. Highly recommended."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Be sure to use softened butter, not melted, for best results.
- Chilling the dough is important to ensure cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Feel free to experiment with different toppings or flavorings (e.g., almond extract, cherry flavor) to add variety to this recipe.
