Sweet Vanilla Cookies Recipe Is Baking Aromatherapy (7 Ingredients, 20 Minutes) by Jan Mostrom

Sometimes when my family wants a treat, we look to these simple and sweet vanilla cookies that always hit the spot. Warm and full of sweet vanilla and sugar flavor, the batter for this vanilla cookie recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and only requires seven simple ingredients. In about 20 minutes, these easy cookies are hot and out of the oven ready to enjoy!

So we can get to baking this simple, old-fashioned cookie recipe, you'll need to grab these ingredients from your fridge and pantry: all-purpose flour (you can use gluten-free flour), salt, baking soda, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and an egg. The cookies bake up in about 10 minutes in the oven. The vanilla scent that fills the air while they bake is heavenly!

Photo credit (all photos): Jan Mostrom

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about four days. You could also put the cookies (baked or unbaked) into a freezer container and freeze for up to six weeks. Serve the cookies as a sweet snack or for dessert after dinner with a cup of coffee or milk. 

Cuisine: American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 30

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

Here's how to make it: 

1. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one of the racks of your oven in the top third and one in the bottom third of your oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl combine the flour, salt and baking soda. (Omit the salt if you’re using salted butter.)
   
3. In a large mixing bowl add the butter and sugar.
   
4. Blend with an electric or stand mixer until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.
   
5. Add the vanilla and egg to the sugar mixture.
   
6. Blend well.
   
7. Gently add the flour to the sugar mixture, and beat until just blended. (For a gluten-free cookie, use gluten-free flour.)
   
8. Form the dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons) and place on the prepared baking sheets, 10 per pan. (There will be 10 extra for a third pan.)
   
9. Place the two cookies sheets on upper and lower racks and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are very lightly brown on the outside edges. Switch and rotate the pans halfway through the baking time. Do not overbake! Leave cookies on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Repeat baking with the last 10 cookies.
   
10. Serve the cookies warm or at room temperature.
    

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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