Light & Crispy Sugar Cookies
MAKES 5 DOZEN | LEVEL: BEGINNER
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I found these cookies in a Pioneer Woman cookbook, and they are heaven sent. Top them with sprinkles or mini M&Ms, and you’ll see why I call them Happy Cookies. Light, crispy, and so easy to make. I’m all for a shortcut, but once you taste these, you’ll never go back to store-bought sugar cookie dough again.
Light & Crispy Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 dozen 1x
Description
These cookies have such an interesting texture! They’re crispy and tender — words you wouldn’t normally think of when you’re describing a cookie. They’re a little delicate so pack them carefully in single layers with wax paper in between each layer, if you plan to take them somewhere. They’re perfect for a potluck, or if you’re invited anywhere where there are going to be kids. Always a hit!
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 cup canola oil
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the tops of the cookies
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Mini M&Ms, nonpareils, or sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the eggs, oil, butter, granulated sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except the M&Ms or sprinkles. Mix well.
- Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop 1 inch balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Place a little bit of sugar in a small bowl. Rub butter on the bottom of a drinking glass and dip it in the sugar.
- Use the glass to flatten each ball of dough, recoating the glass with sugar each time. Repeat until all cookies are flattened.
- Leave plain, or add sprinkles or scatter mini M&Ms on top of each cookie and gently press into the cookie tops.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until they start to turn brown. Enjoy!
Notes
When a recipe calls for softened sticks of butter, instead of throwing the butter wrapper away, set it aside and use the buttered side of the wrapper to “butter” the bottom of the drinking glass you’ll use to flatten the cookie dough balls. That bit of butter left over on the inside of the wrapper is gold. It’s the perfect amount to grease a baking pan or in this case, butter the bottom of a glass.
You may be wondering, what IS cream of tartar and where do I find it? Funny name, but it’s a white powder that can be found in the spice aisle. McCormick makes it.
You can easily change up what you press into the top of these cookies or the sprinkles you use to make them “holiday festive” for any occasion. Think of them as the “little black dress” of cookies!
Recommended tools and special equipment: Stand mixer, cookie scoop, and a drinking glass.
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: dessert, cookie
- Cuisine: American